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Her sister-in-law drew back, her hazel eyes dancing with excitement. “What’s this I hear about twins?”
Gabby glanced around, noting that Kat, who owned the lodge, was leaning against one of the counters beside Bex, the local artist and gym owner. A younger blonde Gabby had met once or twice in passing was chatting with Megan, who looked as pretty as ever. Charity and Mikayla hovered behind Faith, their expressions curious.
“It’s true,” Gabby said loudly, so she wouldn’t have to repeat herself. “For anyone who hasn’t already heard, Logan and I are pregnant and we’re having twins.”
Faith squealed and wrapped her in another hug. As soon as she released Gabby, Charity moved in.
“You’re going to rock it,” Charity said quietly. “I know you’re probably freaking out, but you have nothing to worry about.”
“Thanks.” Gabby gave her friend a quick hug, not lingering for too long because she knew Charity wasn’t always comfortable with displays of affection.
“Is this why you were puking in the rubbish bin the other day?” Mikayla asked, one well-groomed eyebrow raised.
“Yeah,” Gabby admitted. “The morning sickness has been tough. It’s starting to get better, but I actually lost weight over the first few months rather than gaining it. Hopefully that will change soon.”
Doctor Vink hadn’t been too concerned when they’d told her about it. She’d just said to eat what she could, drink plenty of water, and make another appointment if the sickness didn’t continue improving.
“How is Logan handling it?” the blonde, Brooke, asked. “I’m pretty sure I’ve heard the words ‘I will never have a wife and two point five children’ come directly from his mouth.”
Gabby squinted at her, considering whether to ask if she’d heard that right before Logan took her to bed. It was part of his usual spiel, after all. But she knew that Brooke had been dating Logan’s best friend Jack for a couple of years, and she’d have been quite young before that, so it was unlikely they’d ever been together. That was just her insecurity rearing its head.
“He’s doing well, considering,” Gabby said. “He was upset when I first told him, but he calmed down after a couple of days and he’s been nothing but supportive since.”
There had been a moment in the doctor’s office where she’d thought he might even be excited about the babies, although she’d been careful not to ask because she didn’t want to make him self-conscious or scare him off. She’d also been aware that there was a possibility she’d seen what she wanted to, and not what actually was. She couldn’t afford to read too much into his behavior without confirming anything because that would only lead to heartache.
“I’m not surprised,” Bex said. “He’s always been great with Izzy. Although he does love to pump her full of sugar.”
“The boys love him too,” Faith said. “He taught Dylan how to talk to his crush, and now they’re ‘going out.’” She grinned. “It’s adorable. They hold hands and play video games together. Shane doesn’t know what to make of it.”
Gabby grimaced. She knew Faith meant well, and it was cute to think of Logan having a man-to-man talk with Dylan, but he’d picked up his knowledge of flirting by doing it himself with dozens of women, and she’d rather not think of that.
“It’s a pretty big change though,” Gabby said. “Having kids is different from spending time with other people’s kids, and it’s not like he signed up for it.”
“I know what you mean.” Bex’s expression was sympathetic. “When I first heard the news, I was shocked that Logan—of all people—had gotten someone pregnant. I thought he’d be clinging to his bachelor status until the day he died, but in hindsight, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.” Her eyes widened and she clamped her lips shut, obviously surprised that last part had popped out of her mouth. “I mean, because—”
“It’s fine,” Gabby said, wanting to avoid whatever excuse Bex had been about to deliver. Gabby knew what she meant. It was amazing it hadn’t happened sooner because Logan had a new woman every weekend. He liked variety. He’d no doubt been with people more experienced and sexier than her. She got it. But it still sucked.
“I really do think he’ll come up to scratch,” Bex said, her expression apologetic. “Like I said, Izzy loves him.”
“She’s right,” Faith chimed in. “He likes to make people think he’s flippant, but he’s made of strong stuff. You should have seen how difficult things were for him after the accident that hurt his knee, but he got through it and now he’s thriving.”
“He’s like a cat that always lands on its feet,” Charity muttered.
“A big old tomcat,” Brooke giggled.
Gabby forced herself to smile. She wished that fatherhood wasn’t something for him to “get through” but rather something he looked forward to, and that she meant more to him than a duty to take care of, but she had to be realistic. He was not her happily ever after, and it was foolish of her to ever dream he could be.
Kat slanted a look at Brooke. “Do I need to tell Jack you think he and Logan are old?”
Brooke narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“She wouldn’t, but I would,” Mikayla said with a grin.
Gabby caught Megan’s eye across the room. She was watching with interest, but hadn’t volunteered any of her own thoughts yet. Gabby would love to know what was going on in her head. Megan struck her as being unusually wise. She didn’t ask, though, because she didn’t want to put her on the spot.
“So, tell us how this fling between you and Logan started,” Faith said, passing Gabby a pink drink in a tall glass. Gabby sniffed it suspiciously. “No alcohol,” Faith promised. “Just cherry goodness.”
She sipped. It was a great balance of sweet and tart. “Nice.” She raised the glass in a toast. “Logan and I didn’t really have a fling. It was more a series of one-night stands.”
