Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

“Might as well tell him, baby. Our parents will barge in here any moment and ruin it.”

“Pierce made the final decision. We named him Devin Graham Kendrick. Spelled D-E-V-I-N,” she clarifies.

My eyes fly to my brother, and he’s perched proudly.

“Cool choice.” Evin’s response is rougher, his voice hoarse.

I get that. When I met Cole and learned he had my middle name, it touched deep.

“Devin Graham, cool name indeed. And he has his mom’s initials,” Ashlyn choruses, then frowns. “I can’t believe I left my phone at home. Hope my dumb brothers don’t forget to bring it.”

“Have at it, Princess.” I slip mine back in her hand.

She floats across the room to take pictures of Evin and Devin. The names together are a mouthful, and it’s going to be a problem. “Dev,” I say out loud, and Evin’s eyes slice to mine.

“That sounds about right,” he agrees.

“Our brothers just renamed my baby.” Darby pouts.

“Told you it was coming, don’t act shocked.” Peirce jiggles her shoulders. “Dev Kendrick sounds badass.”

“Yeah.” She melts even further into him, and the door opens again, this time Stephanie barging in, doing a sweep of the room and moving directly to Evin’s chair. Todd comes to stand by me, slapping me on the back in greeting.

“Give me my Godson,” she demands quietly.

Evin crosses his arm over the sleeping infant. “Wash your hands. Don’t know what you’ve been doing with those hands.”

Her face flames, but she stomps to the sink, washes vigorously, glaring over her shoulder until she can dry off. Then she takes the baby in her arms and sways him gently, walking to Todd and me.

“What’s up, little Dev?” Todd steps in behind her.

Everyone looks around at each other, and Darby’s lips go into a thin line before she laughs loudly. “Okay, I knew he’d be called Dev.”

I give Stephanie her time, knowing she’s leaving soon to go back to Charlotte. When Dev stirs a little, his eyes opening into slits, I take my turn, easing him into my arms and getting in his face, speaking softly. “Hey, buddy.”

His eyes open fully, and I think it may be the coolest thing I’ve ever witnessed. He’s so small in my arms, and I know in this instant exactly what my brother was saying. This is what a man dreams about. Darby gave that to him.

I glance at her, and she’s locked on me, holding her breath. Her eyes tell a story. She understands she gave this to all of us.

There’s a knock at the door, which can only be the Rhodes family since no one else is that formal. Stephanie goes to the door, and Janie’s the first one in, carrying an enormous basket. Dozer is next with an oversized bear, and Austin and Andrew follow with balloons.

Janie’s eyes go soft when she spots me with the baby, but she heads to the bed first. Pierce scoots out from under Darby, taking the basket and setting it behind him. The rest of the men hand over their gifts, giving their congratulations.

Ashlyn’s face falls when Andrew tells her he forgot her phone.

Janie engages Darby, and Dozer turns my way. When his eyes meet mine, my blood runs cold. Austin and Andrew’s expressions are equally harsh.

“Ashlyn, come get Dev and introduce him to your mom.”

She swoops in and takes her turn with the baby with an overexcited bounce.

“It’s getting a little crowded. I’m stepping out in the hall. Take as many pictures as you want.” She nods, going to her mom.

All the women descend to that end of the room, unaware of the tension now thick in the air. I walk out and head to the farthest waiting room, away from patient rooms and the nursing station. With each step, my blood boils hotter. Whatever was behind his steely expression has to do with Ashlyn.

I swing around, expecting the Rhodes men, but Pierce, Evin, and Todd are here, too.

“Go back to your family, Pierce.”

“Not a fucking chance,” he deadpans bluntly.

“I agree with Miller. Go back to your family,” Dozer attempts until Pierce cuts his eyes to him, irritation and impatience firing off.

“Fine, the timing couldn’t’ be fucking worse, but we got a problem.”

“Picked up on that. What kind of problem?”

Dozer hands over Ashlyn’s phone. “This thing’s been going off non stop. You need to read the messages.”

I hesitate, knowing this is barging into Ashlyn’s privacy.

“Trust me on this,” he orders.

I swipe the screen awake and go to her texts. There are dozens, starting at ten this morning and flooding her phone from an unknown number. Evin, Todd, and Peirce flank my sides, getting in my space. I tap the first one and immediately read through a red haze.

Oh, Ashlyn, did you think you could run away so easily? I willingly admit you did a suitable job of throwing us off your trail for a while. But you should know that you can’t get away. You belong to this firm, Ashlyn. Time to get over your hissy fit and get back to Chicago. Patience has grown thin. If I were you, I wouldn’t delay too long. Let’s call this little exercise in rebellion a learning lesson. If you think I’m bluffing, think again.