“Are you ready to do this?” I ask, and his gaze meets mine as he shuts down the engine.
“Yeah.” He lifts my hand to kiss my fingers.
“I got your back,” I remind him, because I know that he might have some difficult questions to answer, and with Margret things could potentially get heated, even though she’s had a few days to cool down, and the last time they talked, things between them were good. I wouldn’t say that she’s in agreement with him keeping the secret for Dave, but I know that she understands it a little more than she did before, and more than anything, she loves her brother. And I think that everyone feels better now that Janet is on the case, making sure that Dave is doing exactly what he needs to be doing and making his health a priority right now.
“I know, but things should be cool, so don’t unleash your claws just yet.”
“I’ll keep them tucked away for now.” I laugh as he squeezes my hand before letting it go so that I can unhook my belt. When we get out, he grabs Sam while I take up the gift bag I brought over for Claire. We meet at the hood of his truck.
Before we even get up the steps, the front door opens, and Tanner steps out holding a tiny bundle in his arms with a smile on his handsome face that states clearly how happy he is.
“Hey,” he says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. Then he chuckles when I pass him over the gift bag, trading him for Claire, who’s fast asleep.
“She is so tiny.” I touch her soft little cheek, then look at Sam when he reaches for her. “Isn’t she a cute baby?”
“Cute.” He looks at her, then me, and his little brows draw together into a deep frown. “My mama.” He reaches for me, making all of us laugh.
“Yes, I’m your mama,” I promise him. I give Claire back to Tanner before taking Sam into my arms and kissing him, which makes him giggle. As we walk into the house, I smile because before Claire was born, Cybil and Tanner’s house was always in perfect order; now there’s baby paraphernalia all over the kitchen counters and in the living room.
“You’re here.” Cybil comes down the hall, then stops to give Blake a hug before coming over to wrap her arms around Sam and me.
“How are you holding up?” I ask when she lets me go. Her eyes go to her husband, and her expression softens.
“Amazing. I mean, I wouldn’t complain about having a few more hours of sleep at night, but things have been great.” She looks between Blake and me. “I can’t say I was surprised when Tanner told me that you two were together.” I look up at Blake when he rests his hand against my lower back and wonder if I look like a lovesick fool, which is exactly what I am.
“I was surprised,” I tell her as Sam reaches for Blake.
“Were you really?”
“Yes.” I laugh, then turn toward the door when someone knocks. A moment later, Margret lets herself in with Taylor in her arms. As soon as Taylor sees Sam, she wiggles to get down and Sam does the same, the two of them hugging each other and rocking from side to side.
“We obviously need to get them together more often,” Margret tells me before stealing Claire from Tanner.
“We’re all happy to see you too,” Tanner mutters, and Margret doesn’t even bother acknowledging him as she carries Claire to the couch, talking quietly to her.
“We’re learning quickly that we no longer exist,” Cybil says, meeting my gaze. “Anytime anyone calls or texts, they only want to know how Claire is doing.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that never changes.” I shrug. “Sam and I have been staying with Blake the last few days, and the only time my parents call is to ask me about Sam or to talk to him.”
I walk with her into the kitchen and take a seat on one of the chairs at the island next to her. Tanner and Blake go into the living room with Taylor and Sam, who’ve found a ball to play with.
“Are things between you and Blake good?” she asks quietly, like she doesn’t want anyone to hear.
“Given everything that’s happening, yeah.” I shift, feeling slightly uncomfortable, because it feels weird to talk about my personal happiness, considering what’s happened with Dave and his family.
“That’s good,” she says quietly as she looks into the living room. “It makes a little more sense now, at least for me, why Blake has been . . .” Her words trail off, like she doesn’t know what to say or doesn’t want to say it out loud to me.