Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

He scowls at my offering before taking it, flipping the cap, and taking a long swig. I give him the space and quiet, waiting patiently.

“I can’t make this better.”

“Then find a way to move past it.”

“You have no idea what’s going on.”

“So stop shitting around and explain.”

He blows out a breath, running a hand through his hair, and focuses on me, his anger gone. “Irritated, aggravated, even furious, I know how to deal with Darby. But she’s hurting and that fucking kills me.”

I take a slug of my beer, holding his eyes and feeling his pain “She tell you why?”

“Fuck, Miller. I should have chased after her.”

“Pierce, you can’t change the past. Darby owns her part in that.”

“She’s having a hard time dealing with the fact this is her first child and not mine.”

This is not what I expected. “Darby said that?”

“Not in so many words. I put it together.”

“How?”

“She snuck out of bed last night and went to the baby’s room. It’s not unusual for her to go up there. When I found her, the door was open, and she was whispering to herself.”

My chest aches with the desperation and regret in his voice. I’m not sure I want to hear what she was saying after hearing Ashlyn’s story, but I ask anyway. “What did she say?”

“She said she couldn’t wait for him to be here, that she’s loved every minute of carrying him. She said he was a lucky boy because I had a lot of experience with my other children, and even though I had done this before, and he wasn’t my firstborn, I am excited, too.”

I wince, feeling the burn and imagining how deep it cuts. “Shit, that’s rough.”

“Rough? I find my wife in a dark room, reassuring my unborn son that I’m excited about his birth, even though he’s not my first. Yeah, it was fucking rough.”

“What did you do?” Knowing my brother, I brace for the possibilities.

“I let a few minutes pass then took her back to bed.”

“And you didn’t bring it up this morning?”

He shakes his head, gulping the rest of his beer.

Ashlyn’s advice comes to mind, and at this moment, it makes sense. “She has to work through it in her own way.”

His eyes flicker with irritation, but it barely registers because a familiar scent hits me at the same time my senses go on alert. I glance over my shoulder to find the house vacant, but I know she’s near.

“I thought we worked through this shit. And here we are again. She’s struggling because of my fuck-ups.” He goes on, unaware we’re no longer alone.

“Some things are out of your control.”

“When it comes to Darby, nothing is out of my control. Not anymore. I lived through that lesson once.”

“Before you turn into a maniac, stop thinking about how you feel and put yourself in her place.”

“Her place is in my arms where I can protect and take care of her. I can’t do that if she won’t talk to me. Where did this even come from? She knows I’ve never gone through this before and how different my life was when Maya and Cole were born. Every experience with her and this baby is new.”

“She’s going through a lot and deserves her feelings. Give her some slack.”

“Whose side are you on? Why do you sound like Mom?”

“You don’t want the answer to that question. Darby is a damn saint and has more endearing qualities than you. Not to mention, her truffles. I’m not taking a chance on losing that.” I pat my stomach to stress my point.

He glares hard for a second before shaking his head and cracking a grin. “You’re an ass.”

“Maybe, but I know better than to side against my sister-in-law.”

He chuckles, tossing his bottle in the trash. “I can’t fucking wait until these roles are reversed.”

“Going to be waiting a long time,” I lie.

He tilts his head to the side, and I know what’s coming.

“How are things going with Ashlyn?”

“Look around, things are on track,” I answer coolly.

“I didn’t ask about the house. I asked about Ashlyn.”

“What about her?”

“Has she tried to fire you again?”

“Rod needs to keep his mouth shut.”

He crosses his arms, his eyes moving over my face and his lips curling. “Shit, you’ve lost your touch.”

A floorboard squeaks right as Ashlyn sings out, “Hello?”

His attention goes over my shoulder as the sound of heels gets closer.

“Hell, I pity you,” Pierce mutters, dropping his chin to his chest.

I don’t have time to think about whatever he’s mumbling because, when Ashlyn steps out to the porch, it’s all I can do to hold in the growl rumbling deep in my chest.

Is that supposed to be a dress? My eyes roam over her, taking in the short hemline, her exposed legs, and the ridiculously heeled sandals.

This woman is gonna kill me.