Something to wrap around them, the way their protection has always wrapped around me.
They were all touched when I gave them the handmade gifts. They acted as if the yarn was spun from gold. After I finish the baby blanket I’ve been working on, I plan to make a matching scarf for myself.
The Moon Ridge general store looks exactly as I remember it, with maybe one or two new displays near the entrance. Boyd reaches for a shopping basket, but Atlas cuts him off with a scowl.
“Only one side of me is injured,” Boyd protests.
I wrap my hand around his good arm and snuggle close. “The more you rest and let it heal, the sooner you’ll be back to full duty.”
We shop aisle by aisle, working through the men’s grocery list and picking up a few household items. Of course, they also pick out things for me that I don’t ask for, including more yarn.
When we’re about to check out, someone taps my shoulder. “Jennifer, is that you?”
It’s Elena Ramirez, one hand carrying a half-full basket, the other holding her son’s hand. T.J. has a football tucked under his arm.
“Oh, hi, Elena.” I smile as soon as I realize who she is, though inside I’m flinching at her use of my fake name.
“Hi there! I’m not sure I’d have recognized you if it weren’t for these three.” She nods at the men. They look the same as when we last saw her, but I sure don’t. Then her eyes drop to my midsection. A month ago, my pregnancy was easy to hide under a winter coat. It’s more obvious now.
I rest my hand on my stomach and smile to confirm what I’m sure she’s wondering.
“You look different,” she says.
“I am.”
She and I talk about recent weather and other light topics while Atlas checks out. While Elena’s paying for her purchases, Atlas lowers himself to T.J.’s height and asks himabout the football.
“Okay if T.J. and I toss the ball for a few minutes?” Atlas asks Elena when she’s done.
She nods, smiling. “Sure. He’d love that.”
Atlas and Silas lead the boy across the street to a small park that’s between buildings. Boyd, his arm still in the sling, kisses my cheek. “I’m only going to watch,” he promises before following after the others.
Elena sits at a bench in front of the store and invites me to join her.
“When are you due?” she asks, her eyes drifting to my belly again.
“In three months.”
“How exciting! Is this your first child?”
When I tell her it is, she says, “You’re in for a wonderful adventure.”
Both of us are smiling as the action across the street draws our attention. T.J. is laughing as Atlas makes a tricky catch. Silas is playing, too, and Boyd is acting as a backstop for T.J., stopping the ball with his foot before it has a chance to roll toward the street.
I wonder if the men will teach my daughter to play football. Imagining them playing games with her has my grin spreading cheek to cheek, but I bring myself back to the present moment.
“I need to reintroduce myself to you,” I tell Elena, who cocks her head, puzzled. “My name is actually Kira. Things have been … complicated, but they’re better now.”
After a pause, she nods. If she’s seen my face on the news, she doesn't mention it.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be honest before.”
She waves off my apology. “I’m sure you had your reasons. If you ever feel like talking about things, I’d love to get coffee sometime.” Her eyes drop to my lap, and she quickly corrects herself. “Decaf coffee, I mean, or herbal tea. And I’m not trying to be nosy. We can talk about whatever you want.”
“I’d like all of that,” I say, laughing.
A few doors down, Mae Whitaker emerges from the bakery, impossible to miss in that trademark red coat. Ed comes out a beat later, carrying a bag and two white boxes. They both walk past us, but Ed stays two steps behind her.
