Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Charlotte’s breath rushes out as she sags against the doorframe. “Oh, thank God. Thank God.” She presses a hand to her chest. “For a second there, I was really… And the baby’s okay? You’re okay, and the baby’s okay?” Her voice wobbles as she adds, “I know you said you were okay, but I’ve been so worried. My hands were shaking the entire drive back from Mobile.” She glances my way. “And Clover, God, honey, what about you? No offense, but you look awful, sweetheart.”
I shoot her my new half-smile, the one that doesn’t bother my freshly-stitched cheek. “Thanks, I figured, but I feel all right. I’m high as a kite and expected to make a complete recovery.”
Charlotte sags again. “Good. Oh, good, that’s so wonderful to hear. But what happened? I heard something on the radio about it being a hit-and-run? Was the guy drunk? Have they tracked him down?” She points a warning finger at Beatrice as she leverages herself out of the chair with her crutches. “Don’t you dare get up. Sit right back down, missy.” She blinks, clearly distracted by Bea’s giant belly again. “God, you’re so pregnant. I can’t believe how pregnant you are. Are you sure it’s—”
“It’s not twins, don’t ask,” Beatrice says, crossing the room with a laugh. “And you clearly need a hug. Come here.”
Charlotte’s arms go around the much shorter Bea, careful of her belly between them as they embrace. “You shouldn’t be comforting me, but I’m not going to complain.” She hugs Bea close, bending her head as she whispers, “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. You’re my sister, too, now, you know. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” Beatrice says, her voice muffled by Charlotte’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Charlotte pulls back. “You can tell me anything, you know. Really. I’d never judge you. Neither would Baylor, I hope you know that.”
“Oh, I know. I do, I promise, I do. I was just overwhelmed. Then, I was happy and busy. Then, I was suddenly five months along, and it was weird that I hadn’t told anyone, and I didn’t know how to fix it, so I…” Bea’s shoulders creep closer to her ears. “So, I stuck my head in the sand and did nothing. Great problem solving, I know.”
Charlotte laughs. “I told you, I’m not here to judge. Not your problem-solving or your timing or anything else. I just want you to know that you can talk to me. And to your brother. We’re not too busy for you. Not ever.”
“I know,” Beatrice says, emotion thickening her voice. “Thanks for being so cool about this.”
“You’re welcome.” Charlotte sniffs, squeezing Bea’s arm as she adds, “But your parents are going to freak the fuck out.”
Bea nods. “Oh yeah. So much freaking out. A freak-out heard round the world.”
“Maybe not the world, but Nashville is going to get an earful. Or Brazil? I can’t remember if they’ve left on their next trip yet.” She wrinkles her nose before adding in a more confidential tone, “Do you want me to tell Nix? I was texting him right up until the game started, and he’s calling the second he’s off the ice for an update.”
Bea shakes her head. “No, I should tell him. It’s my mess. I’ll clean it up.” She rests a hand on her belly, smoothing it back and forth. “It’ll be good practice for Mom and Dad.”
“No, Baylor won’t be that freaked out.” Charlotte casts an uncertain glance Blue’s way. “Will he, Blue? What do you think? I can guess his reaction to most things, but little sisters are special.”
Blue pulls in a breath, holding it for a beat. “I think he’ll be so relieved to know that Bea and the baby are okay that he won’t be too bothered by anything else.”
“Bright side to terrible car accident,” I chirp, lifting my good arm to shoot them a thumbs-up. “I knew we’d find it if we kept looking, guys. Good work! I’m proud of you.”
They laugh a little too hard, clearly relieved for the tension buster.
After, Charlotte runs a hand over her forehead, smoothing wisps of strawberry blond back into her bun. “Okay, so, what’s the health and healing situation? Beatrice, you appear to be doing okay on your crutches.”
“I’m fine,” Bea insists, wincing slightly. “But I should probably prop my foot up again. It does hurt more when I’m standing.”
To say Blue leaps into motion would not be hyperbole. The man does his best gazelle impression, practically bounding over to fetch a second chair before guiding Bea to my bedside and lifting her foot into the seat.
Charlotte watches, smiling fondly. “What would we do without you, Blue? You’re like one of the family now, too. I guess that means you’ll be an uncle soon.”