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He dropped a kiss into my hair. “Everyone’s going to want to be pregnant and dancing.”
“Maybe not Aggie so soon.” Aggie had a little girl they named after Ansen’s mom, Aurora. But they claimed there were too many A names, so they called her Ro.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what she’s going to tell us at the cookout tonight.”
I laughed and put my hand on top of his. I couldn’t wait to have this baby, but I was loving being a mom to the two most amazing kids I’d ever met.
Grayson was not only my most dedicated student but also Crocus Valley’s newest football and baseball player. He danced for the passion and played sports for the friendships. Ivy had a gaggle of friends and wasn’t interested in anything more organized than the annual summer recital, and only because she didn’t want to be left out.
A little over a year ago, it was just me. In a few months, I’d have three kids and a whole town coming to my performances. Half the theater was filled with family.
Out in the lobby, people were gushing over the kids and handing out flowers. Many came to thank me for the show. It was becoming a highlight of the season.
Eliot was holding his little niece, Ro, tucked into his shoulder, and chatting with Thelma, my mom, Aggie, and Ansen. Wilder had said he had to work and couldn’t make it. Vienne and Sutton were talking off to the side, and Vienne had an arm draped around Catherine. Sutton and Wilder’s divorce had gone through almost a year ago, but Sutton hadn’t acted like she wanted to date. Austen wasn’t able to come. He used his leave when Eliot needed help working cattle.
Everyone who had come to town would be at our place for a meal, and then there was a big street dance tonight with a live band. I was thrilled to take Cody out for a spin before my center of gravity was too lopsided to swing dance.
Thelma pushed Mom’s wheelchair toward the door. I twined my hand around Cody’s.
“You two going straight to the house?” I asked.
Thelma turned and flipped the little purse she carried her comfort cigarettes in. “You gave me a key to the place. I plan to use it.”
“We want you to,” Cody said, taking over Mom’s wheelchair to load it in the van we purchased to transport Mom in. While he loaded and talked with Mom, Thelma turned to me.
“I’m proud of you, doll face. I’m proud of those kids.” She pointed to the theater towering over us and then to my stomach. “And I’ll be proud of that little doll face.” She squinted at me. “You got a bag packed?”
“Nope.” My luggage was empty, and I only filled it when Cody and I went to Buffalo Gully to help with the cattle and horses and when Cody had to train the new accountant.
“That’s my girl.” She leaned in. “I’ve still got your back, though. You know that, right?”
“Always.”
She nodded like there was no doubt, and there wasn’t. “You picked a good one. Cody’s a lucky man.”
Thelma got behind the driver’s seat, and Cody came to stand next to me to watch them drive away.
I poked him in the side with an elbow. “She said you’re a lucky man.”
“She’s right. I’m the luckiest Milk Daddy around.”
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