“Lucky bastard,” Cutter growled. “Love your job, love your wife—that’s a damn good life.”
“Amen.” Teddy nodded.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Mack added.
Ryder couldn’t have said it better himself.
* * *
“DID YOU EAT this morning?” Josie asked her. “You look so pale.”
“I ate, I just didn’t keep much of it down. But I did eat.” Annabeth smiled. “I’m fine. Just got a little overheated I think.”
“It’s awfully stuffy,” Josie agreed. “Still, you should probably try to eat something.” She pressed against the kitchen counter as one of the servers rushed past, carrying a large tray. “None of this looks good?”
Annabeth eyed the chilled shrimp, the canapés and mini éclairs, and tiny cornbread thimbles full of chili. She shook her head. “The smells are enough.”
“How about some chicken noodle soup?” Josie had the refrigerator open.
Annabeth thought about it. “Sure.”
“You go wait in Teddy’s office so you have a moment’s peace,” Josie told her. “Go the back way, down this hall. I’ll warm some up and bring it to you.”
“Thank you, Josie.” She hugged her friend.
“Your husband was worried about you.” Josie held her by the shoulders. “I know things aren’t settled between you,” she whispered, “but I know he loves you.”
Annabeth swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Go on.” Josie shooed her in the direction of the hall.
Annabeth went, flopping into the overstuffed leather chair with a sigh. She peered out the window, appreciating the view. From here, Teddy could see land. No houses or roads or fences, just his property. Property that had been in the Boone family for generations. It must be a humbling thing, to be the caretaker of such a vast property. But he had his sons to help. All of them. She hoped, in time, Ryder would find a way to make peace with his family. There’d always been tension whenever the Boones were together. Now, not so much...but they were a long way from the united family they could be. The sort of family she wanted.
She stood, pacing the floor. She was an idiot. She wanted a home and family. She wanted a husband, someone she could build a life with. She wanted to believe Ryder could be that man, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was headed toward another heartbreak.
Ryder was Ryder. There were times she wondered if he’d changed—if she and Cody were what he wanted. That’s what she wanted to believe. But when the twins were teething, Cody was sick and she had to work a twelve-hour day, would he still be here? Was he ready for that?
Now was not the time to give up being practical.
He’d always been motivated by his loyalty to Greg, not his feelings for her. She needed to remember that. Her heart needed to accept that.
Her stomach clenched and she pressed both her hands against it, stifling a groan. She was not a fan of morning sickness or throwing up. She couldn’t wait for this first trimester to be over. Almost there—
“Annabeth?” Hunter stood just inside the door. “Are you okay?”
She straightened, smoothing the white linen tunic over her stomach nervously. “Fine. Just a little overheated.”
Hunter stood there. “You need anything?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Do you want me to get Ryder?” he asked, the intensity of his expression unnerving her.
“I’m fine.”
He smiled. “Dad’s friends can be a lot to handle.”
She laughed. “That’s an understatement. I hope I didn’t disappoint your father.”