“You’ll be counting days before you know it.”
Her smile was easy, but it didn’t shine into her eyes. “Let’s get you in the house.”
“Yes, I’m going to bring in our bags first then I’ll wake up the girls.”
Despite my protests, she insisted on carrying in a suitcase. I strode along beside her, pretending not to notice how slowly she moved and how she could hardly keep her grip on the handle. Yesterday, I spent some time researching her condition. Apparently, most HG moms experienced depression due to hormones wreaking havoc on their bodies. I hoped I wouldn’t see that reality in her eyes—but I did.
Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to be alone this summer. The family had fully rallied and had a very solid plan in place. Mom would help at the ranch for a week in July, arriving the Saturday before I left. Then Jackie would be able to come the week after that. Sarah had a full two weeks to give in August.
I followed her to the second bedroom where the sheets on the queen-sized bed were already turned down and two twin air mattresses on the floor were made up with pillows andblankets. Soft yellow light from a corner lamp illuminated the room. On the night stand were bottles of water, a basket of snacks, and a master key with my name on it. “I hope you guys will be comfortable in here, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“This will be perfect.”
In the light, I was able to see how pale she was. She held a hand over her throat and took a deep swallow.
I frowned. “Are you okay?”
She smiled—a twitch of the lips and nothing more. “I’m—just nauseous. I’ve been sick all evening.”
“You think you’re going to throw up?”
“Probably in a few minutes.”
“Go to bed. I’ll get the girls in.”
“You sure?” She pressed her lips together, taking a shaky breath through her nose.
“Positive. When does breakfast start?”
“Um, cowboy breakfast is at 5:25. We start cooking at—at, um, 4:55. But you—” She shook her head, unable to continue.
“Go, Bea.”
“I’m sorry. Sleep in—okay?” With that, she turned to her own bedroom. I heard a couple doors open and close then the unmistakable sound of a toilet lid banging against the tank. I fought my own nausea as I helped the girls into the house and tucked them into bed.
Maybe I should’ve slept in like Bea suggested, but I wanted to be as helpful to her as possible, and that meant jumping in with two feet. Bugs and birds chirped in the early morning as I stumbled my way to the big house in the dark. Using my master key, I opened the kitchen door and felt along the wall for a light switch. An overhead fluorescent flickered to life revealing the large island situated in the middle of a crisp, white tile floor.
Immediately, I began to poke around. Was there a daily meal plan? I wondered if the cowboys ate the same thing the guests did or if?—
Footsteps rounded the porch to the side door.
I spun to look, my heart jumping into my throat. According to Bea, Jesse had been the one in the kitchen recently, so it was most likely him. My hands reached for my frizzy curls, tucking any and all wisps behind my ears and pinching my cheeks. I frantically smoothed my pink t-shirt and lumpy black leggings.
And braced myself.
He pushed into the kitchen, wearing an untucked white t-shirt and faded work jeans, and his hair was longer than when I last saw him, tickling the tops of his eyebrows and inching down the back of his neck. I loved the color—just brown enough he wasn’t a red head, just red enough to hardly call brown. His facial hair shared the color, the length falling somewhere between five o’clock shadow and beard.
I thought back to the night of Bea’s wedding. What Jesse and I did together was nothing short of desperately premature, but what woman wouldn’t melt under this man’s attention? Even now, dreading this encounter, my heart fluttered in my chest at the sight of him.
Then he looked up and those green eyes landed on me. His voice held a note of disbelief. “Hollie.”
“Good morning, Jesse.” My voice cracked with first usage.
I waited for a smile, for a beat of awareness between us. But, his gaze cut away. “Uh, I didn’t realize you would be helping this morning.”
“Well, I figured I should learn as soon as possible.”
“Gotcha.”
