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“Let her go, honey.”
“Right. Sorry.” Rory stepped back. She was tough and determined, but clearly the thought of having a baby terrified her. Autumn got that, remembering the feeling well.
“Why is the storyteller weeping?” Nash Winter wandered in with his sister.
“We’re having a baby,” Jack said.
More congratulations were given.
Rory waved her hands about as she exhaled loudly. “Right. I need to read stories, so no more hugging.”
She went into the other room where the kids were waiting. Ritchie sat with Benji, both of the boys bouncing in their seats with excitement at the prospect of reading time.
“Do you think Ritchie would like to come over for movie night and a sleepover tomorrow, Autumn?” Joe came to stand beside her. “We’ll lay out mattresses, and I’ll sleep with them. It will be just the cousins and Ritchie. But Benji asked me if he could come.”
“I’m not sure. He’s never done anything like that before, Joe. He’s a pretty shy kid.”
“Well, how about we ask him, and if he wants to go home after the movies, you can come get him or I’ll take him?”
It would be good for him. Ritchie had never stayed with anyone but her or her grandparents. She knew Joe and Bailey were good people.
“Sure. Sounds good. Thanks.”
“Come and sit. We’ll drink coffee and play at being adults while the children listen to Rory,” Joe said.
She sat beside Maggie, the sister of the man who had held her like she’d been made of cotton candy last night.
“You all good there, sweetheart?” Jack asked Maggie. “And the asshole to your right.” He nodded to Nash. “You both seem subdued today. Want to tell me why?”
I went through something big in college, and I kept it from my family. Nash found out and wanted the details. I told them tonight and now he and Maggie are hurt and pissed with me.
Ford said those words to her last night.
“Just some family shit.” Nash was looking into the coffee Mandy had placed before him.
“As it happens, family shit is our specialty,” Joe said.
“It’s not mine. I’m crap at it,” Ted said, joining them. “My family didn’t like to discuss ugly things like emotions. Or anything actually.”
“But now you got us,” Joe said, thumping Ted in the arm.
“Not really something we want to talk about,” Nash said.
“How about if we guess?” Jack said.
“You won’t,” Maggie said.
“Ford,” Joe said.
Her heartbeat didnotjust increase hearing his name.
“I’m not talking about it,” Maggie said.
“Knew it, but okay. Family shit is family shit, but you know we’re here if you need us,” Joe said.
“Benji stuck something in my ear!”
At the shriek from Grace, the Trainers left and went to check on the kids with Ted. Autumn was just about to follow when Nash spoke.
