AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Isn’t it?” Frank took a look with me as he wiped his hands on a rag. “We’re getting close to done. Just a few touches left to add.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what? I can’t see there’s anything left.”
“There’s this. Late addition.” He laid his hand on a small bookshelf with carved details on top of the shelves and around the base that instantly brought to mind Mav’s work. The edges of the shelves were raw exposed wood that looked as if they’d just been carved off a tree and fashioned into a shelf.
I gasped and crouched to run my fingers along the carvings. “This is stunning.”
“It is, isn’t it? Surprise from your boyfriend. He finished it just today.”
A lump formed in my throat. Under normal circumstances, I laughed off the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing. Not right now. I was far too emotional, and this piece was something I’d treasure forever.
“It’s gorgeous. Just like the rest of this is.”
I stood and swiveled to take in the soft mints and yellows accented throughout the bus, offset by fun and funky white butterfly wind chimes that jangled merrily and a million different colorful throw pillows. They contrasted perfectly with the ones I’d embroidered myself.
Real wood cabinets were tucked under the windows to offer more storage—and seating, with the pillows on top. And in the back, they’d put in a built-in cabinet in front of the windows that opened up for storage or provided the perfect sketching spot. My sleeping bag bed had been turned into a real one with netting draped around it to offer a little separation, and yet more mini shelves had been built above it.
We’d discussed putting in a sink and food prep area with room for a microwave. But as my pregnancy certainty had grown, the more I’d realized there was no way in hell I’d be living in this bus while my belly was the housing station for a child.
A child I hadn’t even had to consider if I was keeping, because this was my second chance. I was keeping my baby. Period.
Assuming I was actually knocked up.
Oh, and that supposed sex toy drawer? Did not exist. But it’d been entertaining to razz Mav about it.
“You guys did such an awesome job with the new flooring and all the built-ins. That window seat is just perfect.”
I smiled at Frank and past him to Lucky, who was leaning in because he was far too tall and huge to fit in here with us. I wasn’t sure how he fit in here when the bus was empty. “You did awesome, Luckster,” I added, laughing as I came down the steps.
“We’re glad you like it. It’s really cool.” With a grin, he plucked me off the bottom step and swung me around before he set me on my feet.
Something about my small stature seemed to make men—especially the bigger ones—want to toss me around. I didn’t usually mind, since it was all in good fun. This time, my touchy stomach wasn’t into the air acrobatics.
I pressed my hand to it in the hopes of settling everything down. “It is.”
Too bad I’ll probably have to sell it.
“So when can we start on your actual house?” Lucky asked, prying out his phone to text someone, most likely his wife.
He was always checking in with Tish and their new babies. I’d once looked at his phone at the wrong moment and gotten an eyeful. Not a dick shot, luckily, but let’s just say I now knew more about Tish than I’d ever expected to.
Breast feeding was intense, especially when it involved two babies. All that juggling? I didn’t even know how to contemplate all of the choreography.
Hmm, would I finally see some boob growth from pregnancy? I’d have to, wouldn’t I? That would be a perk, for Mav as much or more than for me.
If he stuck around. He was all about the heroic gestures in theory, but we’d see what happened when the baby met the carriage.
I shut my eyes and tried to get my chaotic thoughts to simmer the hell down. One thing at a time.
First, I’d take the tests. Then I’d get dressed for my sister’s bachelorette party. Then I’d eat lots of ice cream so I couldn’t fit in my Maid of Honor dress.
Sounded like a good plan.
“Vanessa?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” This whole mental wandering off thing was becoming a problem. “I’m not sure on the house. Soon, I hope. I’ll keep you posted. It may just end up a she shed like we originally talked about.”
“Okay. But you seemed really convinced the other day you were ready to build.”
