One I believed would bring more trouble my way.
ChapterOne
GEMMA
I couldn’t help myself.
As hard as I’d tried not to allow any feelings to creep in, I couldn’t hold myself back when I saw Bodie’s face pale as we witnessed Brinley go into labor.
Before I knew it, my feet were moving across the open landscape of thick, green grass, and without thought, my hand reached out to comfort him. When my palm touched his muscular, bare arm, it set off a chain reaction of sensations that raced through me from head to toe.
What the heck?
I’d never felt anything so intense and I wasn’t sure I liked it. It had me feeling excited and vulnerable all in one swoop.
Bodie’s eyes widened but he didn’t pull away and I found myself trying to soothe him by softly murmuring, “She’ll be okay.”
His muscles flexed against my palm and his gaze darkened. When he glanced down at where my hand still rested on his arm, I realized that the surprised look in his deep brown eyes right then was not due to worry over our friend, but about my touch. I snapped my hand back as though a snake had bitten me.
I looked away and took a deep breath.
Things had been crazy for our friends over the last few months and we had all gathered at Ruby and Lyric’s home for a farewell celebration for Jett, Ruby’s brother, who was leaving for the military. What we’d gotten that day was a whole lot more. The new couple shared some fabulous news that Ruby was pregnant and Brinley and Rowan’s baby was trying to make an appearance right in the middle of the festivities.
I was happy for everyone. And while I didn’t know Bodie well, I somehow knew he would be too as soon as any concern wore off and he was reassured the new mother and child were okay.
It wasn’t a secret how he’d tragically lost his wife. I’d heard a short version of the story from the ladies the first day I had met him at Gyth and Summer’s home. It was the same day he and his daughters rolled into town. The same day I had shown up late sporting marks on myself that had confirmed just how stupid I was.
When the ladies had hauled me off to interrogate me about what was going on with me, I tried to redirect the conversation by asking about the man who’d stolen my breath when I looked into his eyes. It worked for a moment and then I had to appease them by telling a bit about what was happening, but also that I had it under wraps.
Which was a far cry from the truth.
I didn’t want to talk about myself, nor did I want to ruin the party. I’d felt like I hadn’t only been letting myself down, but my friends lately, and I somehow needed to turn things around. But it seemed to be getting worse, not better.
After that day, I’d been trying to deflect conversation if it had anything to do with me and I hadn’t been spending as much time with everyone until I figured out what to do about the old and new problems that had risen. However, there were moments I wouldn’t miss when it came to my friends, so I found myself thrown into situations where Bodie was present.
And he affected me in ways that I couldn’t comprehend.
I let out a sigh of frustration.
Hearing Ruby call out to her Gramps pulled me from my thoughts. I realized most of the group had made their way across the lawn and were leaving for the hospital. I took a peek around and then dared a glance back at the tall, dark and handsome father of two standing over me, a frown on his face as he watched the group leave.
Although the look on his face once again tugged at my heartstrings, I refrained from touching him again.
At the sound of car doors shutting and engines roaring to life, I snapped my gaze back to the line of vehicles pulling away from the house.
Shit, some friend I am.
Standing there, I hadn’t even followed to be with Brinley or the rest of the group. They must have seen me in a daze and talking to Bodie. I stood there for a second wondering what had crossed their minds at the sight.
Just then, two adorable little girls ran up to their daddy. My gaze swept the yard taking in who was left. Jett, Patience, and Gramps were the only adults besides Bodie and me. Many of the little ones were gone and a few were left playing as the other adults watched on.
My attention whipped back to the trio next to me as the girls looked at their father with troubled expressions, and Peyton—the talkative one of the twins—bluntly asked her dad if Brinley was going to die. I had to gulp down the gasp that threatened to break free, not wanting to worry the girls even more.
Bodie’s large frame sank to the ground as he dropped to his knees in front of his girls. “No, Brinley will be okay, she is just going to have her baby now. Everything is going to be fine.”
His voice was deep and I could tell he was trying to make sure the girls believed his words, but I wasn’t sure if he trusted what he was saying.
“Mommy didn’t do fine,” Piper, the quieter of the duo, whispered so softly that I almost didn’t hear what she had said.
