Stop it. This isn’t about you. It’s about seeing an adorable new baby.
April turned onto the last stretch of newly paved road leading up to Bear and Ellie’s cabin. Light-green aspen leaves trembled like butterfly wings against the backdrop of darker evergreens, as April pulled onto the wide parking apron and parked beside Wren’s new Subaru. She counted cars. It looked like she was the last to arrive. That was her fault. After she dropped off Kevin, she quickly shopped for a gift, then stopped by Riversong one more time just to check in. Hannah and her mom practically picked up brooms to shoo April back out of the shop. At least her dad had gotten the espresso machine to work again, though it was making some truly concerning sounds.
April patted her lucky purse on the seat beside her. It mostly lived in a dust bag in her closet now, but at times like these, shetook it down off its high shelf and carried it like a talisman. If Claudia was at the party, she could get a good look at it, see that it was real.
April slung the bag over her shoulder, grabbed Ellie’s gift and a pie and started down the short path through the aspen grove, once she cleared it, the view hit her like it always did: a sweep of lake against the backdrop of a cliff covered in pines, the water catching sunlight in broken diamonds. Just ahead of her, the cabin’s porch railing was wrapped with string lights, and she could just make out the sound of laughter drifting through the open windows.
The girl squad was already having a blast.
April smoothed her hair, and tried not to think about Shane. Or the fact that, right this minute, he and Kevin were probably knee-deep in puppies and dog slobber, both looking way too happy.
You’re allowed to have a day off, she reminded herself as she clutched the gift she’d brought for Ellie.A few hours where you’re just April Taylor, friend, unofficial auntie, human—not mom on red alert.
The screen door banged open before she even hit the steps. “Come on in.” Wren beckoned her. She took the pie and gave April a one-armed hug.
“Sorry, I’m running late.”
“This makes up for it.” Wren lifted the pie, then turned and started for the kitchen island, already loaded with dessert, snacks, and bottles of wine and lemonade. “April’s here!” She called out needlessly. The cabin’s front room was full of women. Ellie sat on the couch, holding a swaddled bundle. A Bluetooth speaker tucked near the fireplace played soft music in the background—mostly mellow folk and acoustic ballads. April waved at the room, noting that the only older woman there wasStephanie—no sign of Claudia. Maybe she wasn’t coming after all. April set her gift beside a pile of others at Ellie’s feet.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Ellie said. “Sorry I’m not standing to greet you.”
“Totally understandable. Now, let me see the guest of honor.” April knelt so she could peek into the blankets. The tiniest face—sleepy, milk-drunk, perfect—blinked up at her.
“Star,” April whispered. “She’s beautiful.”
“She knows,” Ellie said. “Bear can’t stop telling her.”
Laughter echoed through the cabin, warm and familiar, and April felt something in her chest loosen for the first time all week. Wren appeared at her side with a glass of wine. April accepted it gratefully and took an empty chair. She expected Wren to sit in the empty spot beside Ellie, but she grabbed another chair. Movement caught April’s eye in the hallway beside the kitchen. A well-dressed woman who looked like she was in her early sixties crossed the room and sat beside Ellie.
Claudia Behr.
April took a swig of wine as her pulse kicked up. Claudia looked radiant—glowing with the quiet pride of a grandmother—as she leaned in to coo at the baby.
“What did I miss?” she asked.
“My friend April Taylor just got here,” Ellie told her. Claudia’s eyebrows rose slightly as she looked around and found April. “Nice to meet you, April,” she said, blatantly studying her.
“Same, Ms. Behr. Congratulations.” April was proud that her voice didn’t tremble under the other woman’s scrutiny. She imagined Claudia was evaluating her clothing, imagining what she’d tell Yvonne Foti at the next charity fundraiser.
April turned to Frankie, who sat in a recliner nearby—barefoot, radiant, and beaming. Her dark curls framed her face like sunlight caught in motion. She looked healthy and alive, one hand absently smoothing the soft curve of her belly.
“So, how soon do we throw a baby shower for you?” April asked.
Frankie grinned, eyes sparkling. “Oh, I can wait a while. I finally have my appetite back. I could eat half the food on that table.” She laughed, light and unselfconscious. “Second trimester is heaven. I feel like myself again—just with a built-in bowling ball.” She patted her bump affectionately.
“You’re glowing,” Wren said. “Seriously. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.”
Frankie wiggled her toes with mock drama. “Thanks, but I’m just waiting for these feet to swell like my mom’s did. I’ll have to borrow Waylon’s boots. The minute I have this baby, I’m getting back into shape and we’re going on an adventure—me, him, and the kiddo.”
Claudia leaned forward, visibly intrigued. “Where will you go first?”
Frankie’s face lit up. “I’ve got a list. There’s this beautiful WWOOF farm in Greece—lemon grove, olive orchard, sheep wandering between the trees. They take whole families. I want our baby’s first passport to smell like sunshine and wild mountain thyme.”
Claudia smiled, genuinely charmed. “Greece is one of our favorite places. Glenn and I spent a month on Naxos years ago. You’ll love the light there—it’s unlike anywhere else on earth.”
“That sounds perfect,” Frankie said, clearly delighted. “Maybe I’ll message you before we go, get some travel tips.”
“Please do,” Claudia replied warmly. “And if you ever need a contact for local farms, I know a few families.”
