“Jesus!”
She and Faith wore tutus and pink bikini tops. She was showing off vast amounts of lush flesh, and he wasn’t entirely comfortable with that fact. He knew she was hot, but didn’t like anyone else knowing it. She usually hid her body in those hideous clothes he was coming to like.
Noah whistled, and Newman only just stopped himself from pummeling him.
“Well, well, well, who knew she could look that hot.”
“Seriously, you are one word away from my fist.”
Noah smiled, and kept right on looking.
Mikey wore a blue captain’s jacket over shorts. On his head was a cap. Their boat was cardboard and painted blue with little white portholes on the side, and a red stripe.
“You got safety boats on the water, Cub?”
“Yes, Newman.”
“Life vests are compulsory, right?”
“Yes, Newman, I’ll ensure your girl has a life vest on.”
Newman didn’t care that Cubby’s tone was condescending. Hope was important to him, and she carried his child. He needed to know she was safe.
He watched her walk down the hill, following the sway of her tutu-clad hips. Memories of her dancing at Walt and Lizzie’s filled his head. The woman was like a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis. Every time he saw her, she was changing.
“Paul, I’d like to speak with you.”
And just like that he was tense. Looking at his father, he wondered what he was going to say to piss him off now.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“I’ll be at the finish line shouting you on, Hope.”
“Does it count that I’m having a baby?”
Faith shook her head. “You’re barely pregnant, stop being a wuss.”
Hope’s stomach felt odd today. She’d had a few cramps, but guessed this was all part of the pregnancy process. Plus, there was the stress of what Casey believed her capable of. Like Newman, Hope now believed someone was sabotaging Wildlife, and unfortunately the finger was pointed firmly at her. The thought made her stomach clench. Cubby said they needed proof to charge her, and of course she knew they would find none, but still, it was unsettling.
“You puking up your breakfast yet?”
“Not puking, just a bit of nausea,” Hope answered Faith.
A few people now knew that she was carrying Newman’s baby. Secrets couldn’t be kept in Howling, unless you were the only person who knew them. Newman’s friends had taken it in their stride, which had surprised Hope, because she hadn’t thought they would be happy. Annabelle had hugged her hard enough to crack a few ribs, and said she was pleased she wasn’t the only one puking each morning.
Faith stood with hands on her slender hips, feet braced. She was an imposing figure, even dressed in the tutu and bikini top.
“Not sure why we had to wear such revealing clothing either,” Hope muttered, tugging down the top.
“It’s probably the last time you get to show off your body, because it’ll be all baggy and stretched soon.”
“I’m not entirely sure why I put up with you.”
“Because I’m awesome, and you love me.”
Hope waved at Jake and Buster, and then John, who was busy taking photos. They had gone through some of what they’d shot yesterday, and she had to say, it was good. He challenged her to be the best, and had also given her confidence a boost after this business with Wildlife.
She hadn’t realized she was looking for him, until Hope found Newman standing to one side talking to his father. She couldn’t read his expression, but he didn’t look happy. His lips were in a line, his arms folded.
