Her voice got closer. “You better be getting ready in there. We have to leave in an hour.”
“That’s a whole hour,” I called over my shoulder.
“I don’t want to be late.” She flipped a sky-blue towel over her shoulder. “Oh, what’s that? And haven’t we talked about woodworking in the bedroom?”
I turned to her, sliding my hands around her waist. “It’s a special little addition.”
She peered around me, but I blocked her. She tilted her head up at me. “What are you hiding?”
“I’ve had this idea knocking around for a little bit.” I stroked my thumb over her middle. “About the same time we had the first little scare.”
“Which ended up being a valid one.”
The fact that we were pretty much through the first trimester already was a little terrifying, but I was doing my best to not freak out every minute of every day. “Well, I’ve been working on a little something. Originally, I was going to put it into the shop and see how it went, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to show it to anyone.” I pulled her farther into the room and let her see the bookcase.
“Oh, August.” She went right to the newest carving. Her fingers shook as she traced the ladybug.
“I was thinking of doing a line of kids’ furniture. Ladybug Treasures.”
She squatted down in front of the bookcase and smoothed her hand over the wood before bringing her fist to her mouth.
“This one is kinda perfect for under the window. It can hold
baby stuff on the shelves, some books, that kind of thing. I even thought about doing a converter changing table for the top—oof.”
She launched herself at me. I laughed and held her tight as she sniffled into my shoulder.
“It’s so beautiful.” She pulled back and went back to the ladybug part of the logo. “For our bug?”
“Even before I knew she was a thing.”
“We don’t know it’s a girl yet.”
No, we didn’t know officially, but I was sure. As surely as Kinleigh had known she was pregnant, I knew we were going to be having a little girl. Even if for our first sonogram, she’d been too shy to show us her gender right away. We could do bloodwork things to test it, but Kin wanted to be surprised.
At least until she couldn’t take it anymore.
“So I’m guessing you like it.”
“I love it. And now we don’t even have to barter anymore. I did finish those pillows for you, by the way.”
“I’m still open to favors—especially naked ones.”
She rolled her eyes. “Making baby furniture in this town is a solid business plan.”
I snorted. My creative lady was far more business-minded than people would assume. “Ya think?”
She gave me a narrow-eyed look, but she couldn’t stop smiling. “Honestly, it’s a wonderful idea.”
“I’d love for you to help me with it. We work well together, Kin. And we could find ways to repurpose stuff you find to suit people who maybe don’t want traditional baby furniture.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I told you we would make the best furniture together.”
“So you did.”
She went on her toes and kissed me. “I love it. Goddess, I have so many ideas running through my head. Do you know how many ugly bookcases I could make shine with baby stuff? With sweet, baby blankets tacked up along the back to hide ugly particle board. Not everyone can afford your beautiful pieces.”
I tugged her back toward the bed and sat down. “No, but that’s what makes us a perfect team. We cover everyone.” I lifted her oversized garden party of a shirt. Just how many flowers could you jam into a pattern? I kissed her belly. “And we have you to thank for all this inspiration, my little ladybug.”