My chat window flashes.
Lucky:Send your rugrat to my place. If you kick in some money, my nanny will watch her along with my four.
After the Zoom call ends, the rest of my day is spent deciphering the rise in online chatter about a catastrophic event to end civilization as we know it.
Chapter 5
“The gaze of the wolf reaches into our soul.” — Barry Lopez
Gwen
I lean forward in the passenger seat while squinting at the double yellow lines on the road. When the truck in front of us shines its headlight on the forest’s wet, bright foliage, I sigh. For a moment, I wondered if we had fallen into the Twilight Zone.
Unaware of my bizarre thoughts, Callie concentrates behind the wheel. The windshield wipers squeak across the glass, thump at the end, then repeat.
“Aren’t you excited?” Thank God, my friend starts up a conversation.
“A weekend free with no housework or emails sounds divine. Nevertheless, I will miss my family. If we’re lucky, we’ll find Dolly, have a grand laugh about how she said a weekend instead of a week, and proceed to enjoy our girl time.”
Nodding, Callie smiles broadly. “A few kid-free days… I should feel guilty, but I don’t. Lochlan is my rock. However, when it comes to discipline, he’s a wus. Sometimes I get tired of being the bad guy.”
“Well, he’ll need to step up his game.” Picturing her gentle yet fierce protector, I can see where he might want to project a softer image at home.
“Can you believe he’s talking about a fifth kid? I can barely juggle four, and that’s with a full-time nanny.” The horror on her face makes me laugh until I picture myself in the same situation.
Knowing how completely she loves her kids, I pat her arm. “I have only one. Even she can be overwhelming. Why not tell him no?”
Her eyes widen. “Hello? Earth to Gwen? Youhavemet my husband, right? So, enough about us. Have you guys talked about having a baby?”
“We’re trying, but nothing yet. We also discussed going to a specialist… Do you know how much IVF costs? We recently bought a new home. We can’t possibly take on more debt.”
A ringing phone interrupts our conversation. Callie reaches to the dash to push a button. “Sam? Is that you?”
“I have you on speaker. My cousins, Rose and Mia, are here too. We tried to get Andy’s wife to come, but she’s on tour. We did get Blake. She’s renting a car in Philly and will meet us there.”
“Did any of the spouses give you flack about coming?” My question causes an uncomfortable silence, which I presume means yes.
After a few more seconds, the private eye curses under her breath. “Not a word. We all agree. The men caved in way too easily.”
Brows raised, Callie glances over the cupholder. “Do you think they’ll crash our party?”
One of Sam’s cousins answers. “Nah. Not sneaky enough. You mark my words, at least one of them will be stationed nearby.”
While I ponder the implications, the device in my pocket vibrates. Checking the caller ID, I swipe right across the screen. “Hey, momma-to-be, what’s shakin’?”
Lilac chuckles. “My ETA is one hour. Myhusbandis dropping me off. Say hi, Slate.”
If an eye roll was audible, we all just heard hers.
“Ladies.” With only one word, he conveys a warning, some anger, and a little warmth.
Damn, he’s good. While my inner Beyoncé applauds his skill, I picture him attending our baby shower and giggle to myself.
Pinching my nose, I mimic a condescending concierge. “Will you choose the mani-pedi, the facial massage, or both, sir?”
His snort holds no mirth. “I’ve checked into the nearest hotel in case mywifegoes intolabor.”
I’m shocked he managed a complete sentence, but the emergency room doctor with him is undoubtedly used to miracles. “Honey, I’m still four weeks away. I’ll be fine.”
