“Mind if I join you?”
My heart nearly broke in two as I looked at her stomach, a small little pooch.
I forced a smile. “Sure, I don’t mind at all. How was the sonogram?”
She sat next to me. “It was good.”
Facing her, I took her hand in mine. “Please don’t be afraid to talk about the baby with me. I want to hear about my future niece or nephew.”
The corners of her mouth rose slightly. “Everything looks good. We could see the baby moving.”
I smiled. “That’s good. Did you find out the sex?”
She shook her head. “We decided to be surprised.”
“Well, that would have made a fun Valentine’s gift to each other.”
Corina chuckled. “I guess.”
I glanced down at my hands and then back to her. “I’m not jealous or angry that you’re having a baby. I won’t lie and tell you it doesn’t make me sad, but I’m so happy for y’all.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “I’d give anything to carry a child for you, Waylynn. Anything.”
I pressed my lips together. “I know. Amelia and Paxton said the same thing. They even asked me if I somehow had my eggs stored.”
Corina’s eyes widened in hope.
“I didn’t. I only went to a sperm bank.”
“Oh.”
I nodded. “Anyway, have you decided on how you’ll decorate the baby’s room?”
“I think we are going to do baby animals. Keep the color simple for either gender.”
“That’s smart if y’all are going to keep it a surprise.” Looking away, it took everything in my power not to tear up. Not only dealing with the emotional toll of having a hysterectomy and both ovaries removed, I was also dealing with the hormonal changes of my body basically being thrust into menopause in my thirties. I was all over the place, up one minute and down the next.
“Do you want to talk about anything, Waylynn?”
Giving her a slight grin, I shook my head. “No. I’m tired of talking about it. The counselor has been a big help, but I’m ready to move on. I want to get to the dance studio, that’s my main focus right now and the only thing that matters in my world.”
“And Jonathon?”
Turning away, I stared out over the Texas hills. “Mom said he’s been by every day for the last week, and you won’t see him. He’s not giving up on you, Waylynn.”
My lips trembled. “I don’t have anything left to give to him.”
“What about your love?”
Snapping my head to look at her, I laughed. “It’s different now. It can’t be the same between us.”
“Hey, how is my beautiful sister and wife?”
Mitchell walked up on the porch and kissed me on the forehead, before kissing Corina on the lips.
“Y’all have plans for Valentine’s dinner?”
They looked at each other, and Corina blushed. “Oh, I get it. Some hanky panky planned. Tell me you’re at least taking her to dinner first.”
Mitchell laughed. “I am. We’re heading into San Antonio and spending the night.”
A slow, dull ache pulsed in my chest. Jonathon had begged me to let him make me dinner, but I told him I was spending the evening with my parents.
“Sounds romantic.”
Mitchell wiggled his brows. “I hope so.”
I flashed them both a big smile. “Well, I guess I should go for my daily walk. The doctor says walking helps me heal faster.”
“You’re getting around good.”
“Yep. Parker willpower and all.”
“Tell Jonathon I said hi,” Corina said as I made my way down the steps.
I lifted my hand. “I will the next time I see him.”
“You’re not seeing him tonight?” Mitchell called out.
I ignored him. “Have fun, y’all.”
I made my daily walk down to the main barn to see Cooper. He was waiting for me when I walked inside. Letting out a laugh, I grabbed a handful of oats and made my way over to him. The other horses called out for the oats, making me laugh a little more.
“They’re all jealous of your daily snack, buddy.”
Cooper bobbed his head up and down. “I should be able to ride you soon.”
My hand ran across his neck as he ate his oats. Leaning my head against his neck, I felt the tears build. I held them back, refusing to cry yet again.
“Jonathon called me earlier. I didn’t answer.”
Cooper let out a bray.
“I know. You don’t have to lecture me about it. I know I need to talk to him. It’s hard, though. When he’s around I have to pretend I’m okay, and it’s exhausting. I know he can see right through it and it makes it even worse when I see his sadness. He thinks he can’t help me.”
Cooper bobbed his head again, as if he understood what I was saying.
“Maybe I should call him. He asked me to marry him again a couple of weeks ago. He wanted to do it on Valentine’s Day. Today. He wanted to surprise my family and plan an intimate ceremony on our ranch. I just couldn’t do it.”