“With Mom, there’s no telling, buddy,” Blue responds. I look up to find him staring at me through the rearview mirror. I try to give him a smile. I’m too nervous to make it appear relaxed, and I can see the worry on his face. I look away, unable to hold his gaze.
“I know what it is,” Mom singsongs as Blue parks behind Green’s truck. I turn to look at her—I’m pretty sure all of us are.
“You do?” Adam asks.
“Yep, sure do.”
“Then—”
“But I’m not telling,” Mom says, cutting me off. “It’s great news and you need to be surprised along with everyone else.”
We start getting out of the truck. Before I can move to get Mom’s chair off the ramp, Blue is there. “I’ve got it, baby,” he murmurs, giving me a quick kiss. I don’t know how to respond—well, except for blushing like a schoolgirl.
“Adam! Come join us. We’re all playing by the barn. Papaw Jansen is letting us play on the bull,” River yells from about twenty feet away.
“Alright!” Adam cries and takes off running.
“Adam!” I yell, panicked at the word bull.
“I’ll be careful, Mom!”
“But—”
Blue is just finishing moving Mom to her chair and helping her get her portable oxygen machine situated. He quickly wraps an arm around me and pulls me so that I’m forced to face him. I feel his hand move along my neck. When I look at him, I get lost in his eyes, unable to look away. It’s almost as if I’m hypnotized by admiring how beautiful his laugh lines are when they crinkle around his eyes when he’s happy.
“It’s okay, Doe. It’s an old mechanical bull Jan bought. He’s got it decked out with enough air cushions that even if Adam fell the worse that could happen is he would bounce for a couple of minutes.”
“Why did he buy a mechanical bull?” I ask, moistening my lips because my throat feels tight.
“In case one of his grandkids wanted to try the rodeo circuit someday.”
“Do they?”
“Terry is interested. Bryant’s all for it, but Maggie isn’t happy,” he laughs. “River plays around on it, but he’s convinced he wants to be a lawman like his daddy.”
“Oh…” I murmur.
“Relax, okay?”
“Easier said than done,” I mumble, making him laugh and kiss my forehead.
When we turn around, Mom’s already headed toward the Lucas home. It’s a huge southern farmhouse that is truly breathtaking—even more so because I’ve always felt love when I was here. All of Blue’s family seems to ooze that emotion when you’re around them.
As we walk down, Blue wraps his hand in mine. I hold on a little too tightly, but he doesn’t say anything and I’m grateful.
“How are you holding up, Meddie?”
I look up to see Black and smile at him. He and Blue might be twins, they might even look similar from a distance, but up close they are as different as night and day. Black is more playful. He has a constant smile and is really easygoing. Blue is broody at best. Bossy as hell—which I’ve always liked and now miss.
Jesus, I’m a wreck.
“I’m good. Just taking it all in. Everyone seems to be having a good time. Where’s Addie?” I ask.
“She was dealing with morning sickness. I made her stay home to rest,” Black replied.
“Addie’s pregnant?”
“Yeah, we haven’t told anyone yet. You’re the first actually, so don’t snitch,” he laughs. “Addie will kick my butt. She wants to get over the first trimester before we share.”
“Mum’s the word. I think that’s awesome. Our babies will grow up together.”
“I wasn’t sure you knew I knew…Wow, that was a mouthful wasn’t it,” he laughs.
“I figured Blue would have told you—or your mother,” I joke.
“It was both actually. You haven’t told many yet, I take it?”
“Nah, I need to find a way to tell Adam. I don’t want him to be afraid that this baby will push him out of the way.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. I’d say Adam is pretty secure with his place in the family,” Black says.
I look over to where Blue is standing. All his nieces and nephews are standing around him as he lets them take turns leading them around on a pony. I smile. I always knew he was good with kids, but I’m not sure I realized just how good he was until recently. My heart squeezes in my chest for another reason though. He’s paying attention to all of the kids. Yet, when it comes Adam’s turn, he’s giving him extra attention. He hugs him and teaches him how to put pressure on the horse with his knees to get him to move in the direction he wants—since there are no bits and reins in use. Instead, the pony is just in a halter with a rope attached. Blue attaches that on the other side, too. It somehow makes reins he puts over the pony’s head for Adam to hold onto.