“And are you having a baby shower?” Kate asks. “What sort of things do you still need to get? I have atonof stuff I can give you. There’s basically an entire baby store set up in the attic. Honestly, take everything you need.”
“Wow, thank you. That’s super generous.” I pick at the plate in front of me. “Um, I don’t think I’m having a shower. My best friend can’t get here until right around when I’m due, so maybe we’ll do something small after. I’m not sure… Anyway, I think I have most of the essentials, so it’s not really necessary. And my dad and I set up a nursery.” I reach my hand under the table, resting it on Chase’s knee as he sits back down.
“You did?” He turns to look at me, the hurt that flashes across his face making my chest ache.
“Yeah.” I gnaw the inside of my cheek, pushing hashbrowns around on my plate. “Sorry.”
“Anyway.” Beryl’s chair scrapes across the hardwood, cutting the tension. “We have a lot of bread to get baking. I’m glad I finally got to meet the girl who’s stolen our sweet Red’s heart. He’s a good boy.”
“The goodest—and the prettiest—boy.” I squeeze his thigh just in time to feel his phone start vibrating in his pocket.
He pulls it out and walks away to answer. Then returns a few minutes later and places a rough kiss on top of my head.Definitely out in the open now. “Jackson’s having issues with a tractor and he’s out by the North Creek field. I gotta grab some parts and go give him a hand. Are you good to stay here?”
“I should head home. Change into some clean clothes, take my meds… that stuff.” Not a single part of me wants to leave him, or even wear clothes, period. But this is the life of a ranch hand, I guess. Even when it’s supposed to be his day off, duty calls.
“Come back? I’ll make us dinner and, besides, I still haven’t given you your Christmas present.”
My face and shoulders fall in unison.It’s Saturday. “I have to work tonight.”
“Shit, right.” He scrubs his jaw with the palm of his hand. “Okay… um…”
“We’ll figure it out. Go do your work.”
“I’m sorry about this. Text me when you get home.”
He starts to walk away, but I grab his hand, tugging him back toward me. My palm races up the length of his arm, holding to the back of his neck and pulling him in for a slow kiss that causes my heart to skip a beat. I hope everyone is watching and, more importantly, I hope Chase can tell what I’m feeling, even if I’m too nervous to say it out loud.
Cass:Home, safe and sound. And going to take a bath in a very lonely tub
Chase:About to quit my job so I never have to miss out on seeing you naked
Cass:Or you can have the best of both worlds
Without a second thought, I snap a photo of my naked upper body. To be honest, that’s theonething that’s working in my favour these days; if nothing else, my tits are the fullest and perkiest they’ve ever been. He replies instantly with a string of various emojis to depict all the emotions he’s clearly going through, followed by the words,“Cass, you’re my fucking dream girl.”And I melt into the warm bath.
I’ve never been the type to send nudes, but having somebody genuinely appreciate them—appreciate me—has me rethinking my stance.
Before I reply with words I won’t be able to take back, I call Blair. My mind’s flooded, and I need somebody who can help me wade through it.
She picks up on the first ring. “Psychic twin powers strike again. I wasjustabout to call you. Phone in hand and everything.”
“What’s up?” I ask, pulling a cluster of bubbles over my breast and thinking about Chase’s hand there last night.
“You go first since you beat me to the phone call.”
“I’m in love with Chase.” The words flow from my tongue so easily it’s astonishing to think this is the first time I’ve said it out loud.
Blair cackles. “No shit—I knew that months ago. What made you suddenly realize it, though?”
“Technically, I think I realized it when I visited you at Christmas time. I’ve never felt this way before, and I was freaking the fuck out. Last night Denny texted me.” I’ve said his name thousands of times, but not to Blair. That’s one topic weneverdiscuss. “Um… he was worried. Apparently Chase’s dad is sick, and he’s been acting off or something. Icouldn’t sit at home worrying, so I went to the ranch, and it cleared a lot up for me. Mostly that I’ve been stupid.”
“I’m glad you finally realized it, dummy. I guess if I have to give up my co-parent status to anybody, I’m content with it being him. I know I haven’t actually seen the two of you together, but you’re good for each other. I can tell. What’s your plan with your dad, though?”
I groan, sinking deeper into the bath until bubbles line my chin like a beard. “I’m going to tell him the three of us need to have dinner and talk, so… pray for me.”
“Thoughts and prayers.” She laughs. “Any other news you need to share?”
“No, just something that apparently wasn’t actually new or shocking information to anyone except me. Your turn.”
