The sigh I let out must sound like defeat because Joe grins. “I’ll think about it.”
“Yes!” He does a tiny little fist pump that I’m probably not supposed to see, and my lips twitch.
“That’s not ayes,” I hurriedly add, but his smile gets wider, and I groan because we both know it’s virtually a done deal at this point. Still, I double down. “There’s a lot to consider before making a commitment like that, so don’t get your hopes up. I need to discuss it with Sam, make sure it would be the best thing for both meandJax.”
Joe turns in his seat to face me, then proceeds to spend the rest of our journey regaling me with tales of Jax and reasons why she would be perfect for me.
By the time we reach Charnwell, I’m resigned to the fact that I’ll be calling my sister very soon to set up an appointment.
Hailey has come out to meet us by the time I’ve parked around the back of the beautiful pub she and Charlotte have taken over. It’s way bigger than I was expecting, but since they also have guest rooms, I shouldn’t be all that surprised. The car park is almost full. Although the guest rooms aren’t available at the moment, the pub remains open. And by the looks of it, it’s a popular place.
“You made it.” She beams as she walks over to greet Joe first, pulling him into a hug. Her belly gets in the way, and she laughs when Joe quickly slips out of her arms. “You’re not going to squash him.”
I stop halfway out of the door, surprised. “I didn’t think you were finding out the sex?”
She waves me away. “We’re not.” She rubs her belly and smiles. “But it feels like a boy.”
I’m not about to argue with women’s intuition, so I close my door and walk over to her for a hug of my own. “You look amazing.” I wrap my arms around her. “Pregnancy suits you.” It’s not a lie. I can still remember how she glowed when pregnant with Joe. She’d been adamant she didn’t want any more after him, but I’m glad she’s changed her mind because she looks so radiant and happy. Her smile is huge when I step back from our embrace.
“Thank you. Although you might not be saying that when I’m grumpy and frazzled after being on my feet all day.”
“Isn’t that why I’m here? So you can take it easy?”
She huffs, that stubbornness she’s known for coming to the surface. Another trait Joe picked from her. “I’m pregnant, not ill.”
“I know that.”
A sigh this time. “Not that I’m not happy to have you here, Vic, because I am. And you’ll get to spend more time with Joe. But I think Char was panicking when she asked you to come here so early.”
Biting my tongue, I think very carefully about the next words to come out of my mouth. It might be seventeen years since I was last this close to a heavily pregnant Hailey, but I learned many lessons during those nine months.
One of which was to think before I spoke. And then maybe think again, because tact wasn’t always my forte.
It’s still not.
I’m pretty sure being pregnant at thirty-eight comes with a lot more risk than when Hailey was twenty-one and that Char is worried Hailey will take on too much while she’s away. That’s the main reason I’m here. But I’m not stupid enough to actually say that. “I also know you’re quite capable of doing whatever needs doing around here, but I’d like to help if you’ll let me. Char said there’s still a fair amount to get done before your first guests arrive, and with me helping?—”
“And me,” Joe comes in. “I’ll help, too.”
“Withushelping,” I amend with a smile in Joe’s direction, “it’ll give you time to get things sorted for the baby without worrying about the pub being ready in time.” There, a relatively safe answer, hopefully.
“Hmm. I suppose that’s true.” She yawns, setting both me and Joe off. Then that smile appears, the one that caught my attention when we were young. It’s still as bright and infectious as it was back then.
She catches my hand before I can step back. “Thank you for coming, Vic. Idoappreciate it. And sorry for being an ungrateful witch. I know I need to take it easier this time around. I just don’t want to accept that I’m getting old.”
“Older.”I correct, squeezing her fingers. “I like to think we’ve got a few good years in us yet.” I wink and Joe groans, rolling his eyes as though we’re the most embarrassing parents to ever live.
“Come on, let me give you a tour. We can come back for your stuff later.”
Joe and I dutifully follow as Hailey leads the way inside.
“So you’re not livingabove the pub then?” We’re standing in the middle of Hailey and Char’s kitchen. It’s a nice size, airy and light, with a stunning view of fields through the window.
Hailey snorts. “No. Can’t imagine the guests would be too thrilled with a baby waking them up at all hours. And there’s not enough room anyway.”
Whereas I’d thought it was all connected, their house is actually separate from the pub, with a small courtyard in between. It’s all very pretty and homey, with three bedrooms, one of which has obviously been made into a nursery. Since I doubt very much Joe would want to share a double bed with his dad, I assume I’m staying in the pub.
“Am I staying in there, then?” I point to the rooms above the pub. Voices, music, and laughter drift out every now and again as the doors open and close. Christmas songs mixed in with a wide variety of new and old stuff.
