It was good to see River becoming more comfortable every minute. Plus, she and Huntley were amazing together, along with their two teen kids. I thought about how the man stepped up and adopted the kids, and that made me think of Jett. He couldn’t wait to officially make Griffin his on paper, even though he already was in every other way.
“You really think those guys outside would, for one second, let entertainment in the form of bad boys walk into this house?” Jurnee asked.
“Hell no,” Gemma said. “Just look at them.”
Everyone ran to the windows on each side of the door and peered outside, where not only Jett stood on the street—finally not pacing—but Rowan and Bodie also leaned against one of the cars, talking to Bronson, who had pulled up next to them in his police cruiser. He had been making his rounds by the house.
“She’s right,” I announced. “When I even tried to protest about getting a new number, Jett’s overprotectiveness kicked into high gear, and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. At least he promised me…”
I trailed off, a sheepish look crossing my face when I almost revealed something very private.
“Ha, don’t think you are not revealing to the whole group just what was promised,” Alley teased. “Make sure you all have a drink, ladies, because this is gonna be good.”
As everyone started to follow her to find a seat, Ruby hung back for a second.
“For what it’s worth,” she began, “he may be out there toprotect you, but I know it’s also because my brother can’t stand to be away from you, even for a second.”
Ruby flashed her dazzling, model smile and looped her arm through mine. We moved to find a seat with the others. Before she sat down, she looked at me and said, “Don’t be offended if I have to plug my ears when you reveal to these hungry vultures just what Jett promised you because he is my brother, after all.”
Everyone laughed at her put-out expression, and she got some ribbing for it as we settled in. Then Alley clapped her hands together, rubbing them back and forth with a devious smile on her face.
“Sharing time has started. Our newest member,” Alley pointed at me, “will go first.”
I groaned, and that caused more cackling.
Guess it was time to fully join the club.
“It’s grub time,” Alley yelled as the doorbell rang.
“Thank goodness! I’m starving!” River exclaimed.
Alert bells went off in my head.
I was feeling the same way, so I couldn’t help but think something fishy was going on that not all of us had been privy to. As if she could feel my eyes on her, River turned around, and her gaze landed on mine.
A silent communication volleyed back and forth between us for a second, confirming my suspicions. Giving her a small smile and a wink, I let her know her secret was safe with me. I didn’t know the circumstances or why she and Huntley were keeping it to themselves—although I had a feeling Lake knew—but it was their news to tell.
River smiled back just as the room broke out in a chant, grabbing our attention. “Carson! Carson! Carson!” they allyelled. A younger man walked into the house with a load of bags, sporting red cheeks as he ate up all the attention.
I may not have met Carson, the ladies’ now personal delivery driver, but I’d definitely heard about him.
The dude looked back out toward the porch where Rowan, Bodie, Bronson, and my husband all stood watching.
“How many of you does it take for protection detail? Geesh,” Alley said. “Skedaddle.” Then she shut the door as the men began to protest.
With the door closed, Carson’s eyes scanned the room, and he fidgeted nervously with all the bags. “So who's pregnant this time?” he blurted out.
The poor guy didn’t know what to say with that many women around him. I couldn’t blame him, though, since he had come twice previously because of someone being pregnant. He wasn’t wrong either, as I was in attendance and, in fact, carrying a child.
Yet, what nobody expected was the sharp intake of breath from the woman beside me, who’d obviously been caught off guard by the question and reacted. It wasn't just the gasp; it was the way her hands went straight to her belly to cradle it.
Now all eyes were on River.
It looked like I’d only had to keep her secret for about five minutes.
“I think you have asked a very great question, Carson,” Alley told him, but her eyes stayed glued on River.
Throwing my arm in the air, I shouted, “Me! I’m pregnant!”
