AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Colette smiled at her friend, incredibly thankful that her cousin had found such a phenomenal woman to settle down with.
“So,” Colette said, in an effort to change the subject. “What brings you this way?”
“Oh, Derek brought an invoice out here that I want to look over.” Lacy took up rifling through the pile of paper once again, and Colette chuckled.
“You don’t know how to slow down, do you?”
“I absolutely don’t. So don’t you dare go expecting it from me. I can’t take the overprotectiveness from you too.”
Colette smiled. “Has Derek been hounding you about taking it easy?”
Lacy chuckled, rolling her eyes. She seemed to give up looking through the pile on the desk and instead took a seat in the desk chair, swiveling it back and forth. “I love my husband, I truly do. But if he had it his way, I’d be living in a bubble.”
“He’s just protective of you and your baby girl.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Colette laughed too as she imagined exactly how much of a Mother Hen Derek had become since the announcement of the pregnancy.
“Anyway, since I’m here, I’ve got a few other things to do as well. It’s dinner time for the dogs,” Lacy said, leveraging herself out of her chair and walking toward the door to the kennels.
An excited Bart yipped at their heels, spinning in circles. The sound of the barking alerted the others, and soon their furry bodies came bounding through the doggy door at the back of the building. Lacy cooed to them enthusiastically as she walked over to their bowls and started doling out food from the bin.
“I can do that, you know.” Colette extended her hand in offer, but Lacy quickly waved her away.
“It feels good to be active,” Lacy explained, brushing a strand of honey brown hair back from her face. “Plus, this little girl is gonna have to get used to the dog sled life.”
Lacy winked at Colette as she filled the last bowl, and Colette rolled her eyes. Stepping forward and grabbing the water bowls, Colette ignored Lacy’s protests as she began to fill them. As she placed the bowls back in their spot and the dogs rushed over to drink their fill, she turned back to Lacy. The other woman had her hand on her belly, massaging it as a delighted expression crossed her face.
“She’s kicking again,” Lacy explained. “I think she’s decided that she likes playing soccer with my bladder.”
Colette laughed. “You think you’re ready for her to be here?”
“I mean, we’re already dog parents.” Lacy gestured around them to the multitude of dogs drinking, eating, and playing happily. “What’s a human child to add to the mix?”
Then she stopped, pointing a finger at her stomach.
“Don’t get any ideas though, little one,” she commanded. “You still have a little bit of cooking to do.”
Colette shook her head at her friend as they stood and watched the dogs play for a minute. She glanced sideways at Lacy, letting a small rush of gratitude roll through her. Colette wished that she could go back in time and talk to her younger self and let her know how her life was going to play out. Her childhood had been incredibly tumultuous. Her father had been an alcoholic, and she’d been estranged from him for years. Her mother had done her best, but she had also been in survival mode as she had tried to raise a child on her own after they had separated.
When her mother had remarried, Colette had been in high school, and her stepfather hadn’t been particularly fond of teenagers. So she’d left home almost immediately after graduating and had moved to the only other place where she had family—Snowy Pine Ridge. She and Derek had always been close, and the sleepy, beautiful, New Hampshire town had welcomed her with open arms. It had been home for her ever since.
Colette couldn’t help but feel incredibly thankful for the family that she had created here, and Emma’s words about the family you create drifted through her mind once more. As she looked at Lacy and then down at her belly, she couldn’t hide her grin at the thought that soon, her family would grow by one more person.
“How are things going with the baby shower?” she asked.
“The plans are coming along well. Sarah and Louise have it all under control.” Lacy’s face softened, a sympathetic expression crossing her features.
“I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to help much,” Colette murmured, feeling warmth rising up into her cheeks.
Lacy shook her head and took a step closer toward her friend. She extended her hand, resting it reassuringly on Colette’s shoulder. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. Losing Emma has been terrible for everyone in town, but for you most of all. We all understand.”
Colette felt her throat grow thick with emotion, and she swallowed past it.
“Thank you,” she choked out.
“You don’t need to thank me.” Lacy gave her shoulder a squeeze, her green eyes shining. “Just having you here to be involved in little Belinda’s life will be enough.”
