“What about wildflowers?” Chase asks quietly. We all turn to look at him. “There are acres in bloom at the farm. Molly says they’re the perfect mix of delicate and resilient.”
Hats off to the quiet cowboy with his mic drop moment. Delicate and resilient describe Piper perfectly. Strong enough to keep going after losing her mom as a kid, soft enough to love a little girl who isn’t hers, and brave enough to make the decision to keep our baby even when her life was falling apart.
“That’s exactly her,” I say.
Chase reaches around to pat himself on the back. “I’m kind of an expert on women, just don’t tell Molly I said so.” We all laugh,and then he continues, “I’ll head back to the farm and call her on the way. We’ll bring back enough flowers to satisfy every bee on the planet.”
He turns for the door. “Wait,” I call out. “I also need a dog.”
Ian snorts. “You’re going to pick out a dog for the woman who wants to make her own decisions about everything?”
“Good point.” I scrub a hand over my face. “I need a stuffed dog that can represent getting one together. Based on how much she adored Max, committing to a dog might mean more than the actual ring. But, yeah, she gets a say.”
Three sets of eyes flick to the overflowing basket of stuffies visible through the doorway to the family room.
“I don’t want to use one of Ellie’s. This is for Piper.”
“I’ll run to the toy store in town,” Eric offers.
“Buy every breed of stuffed dog they have.” The idea builds momentum. “Hell, all the animals in the store. If Piper decides she wants a pet giraffe, I’ll find a way to make that happen.”
Eric grins. “Now you’re cooking with peanut oil.”
I turn to Ian and voice the question that refuses to stay buried in my chest. “What if she doesn’t come back?” The words come out raw in a way I hate but can’t seem to help.
“She’ll come back,” Ian says. “I’ll call Sadie and tell her the plan?—”
“No.” I move toward the counter. “I’ll call Sadie. I want to ask her permission to marry her sister.”
“Dude.” Chase points a finger at me, then shifts to a thumbs-up. “Getting Sadie in your corner. Pro move.”
“Agreed,” Eric adds.
I grab my phone and immediately see a missed call from Piper. Several texts, too. I didn’t unmute it after Nancy left and I saw Ian’s message.
The texts are general variations of the same theme.
Piper: Call me.
Piper: Are you around?
Piper: Felix?
The last one was fifteen minutes ago.
I pull up voicemail, my stomach dropping to my toes as Piper’s voice fills my ear, shaking and hesitant in a way that makes my blood run cold.
“Hey, um, sorry to bother you. I know you’ve got a lot you’re dealing with and...well...” A ragged inhale. “I started cramping, and there’s some blood. Sadie’s driving me to the hospital, but I was just wondering if you could...” She trails off. “Never mind. I’ll call you later with an update. Don’t worry about me.”
Don’t worry about me.
The phone nearly slips from my grip.
“What is it?” Ian’s voice sounds far away.
“Piper.” The word comes out strangled. “She’s bleeding and cramping. Sadie took her to the hospital.”
The room goes still.
