So I was pregnant then, and others had taken note. But Kehl never said anything to me? My stomach dropped but I forced a smile. “I was waiting for Kehl to tell me,” I admitted.
Dace’s grin fell. “Does he not know?” Leaning in, she whispered, “Do you think he can’t tell ‘cause of his nose? ‘Cause of, well, you know.” Her hand lifted and she gestured about her face.
I had no idea if his sense of smell was affected in any capacity. He smelled things pretty good as far as I was aware. He was always telling me how good I smelled to him. Maybe it just needed to click for him? Was he not just telling me how good I smelled this morning as we cuddled up in bed? Frowning, Iwondered if that was him trying to tell me. Was I that dense that it didn’t click?
Either he can’t smell it, I’m a dummy, he’s waiting me out, or a bit of all of the above.
“Don’t look sad. Babies are wonderful. When I find my forever husband, I’m going to have at least a half a dozen,” she squeaked out happily.
“I’m sure Sorak would give them to you, if you just asked…” I teased.
The look Dace shot my way could peel paint. “It’ll be a cold day in Unicorn Hell before I ever ask him to marry me again,” she grumbled churlishly, her good mood seemingly vanished. But then, like I hadn’t just teased her to feeling semi-insulted, she was back to beaming. “You know how I’ve been trying to find a beast to take me to the place they go to collect the abandoned?”
It was so she could adopt a little one of her own. Dace was done waiting for the male of her dreams to arrive and give her a family of her own. She got the idea to go to the dumping grounds for those banished, abandoned, unwanted, and adopt a little Lo denaii in need of a family of their own, and would not be persuaded. The problem was, it was extremely dangerous and no one would agree to take her. She’d gotten quiet about it and I’d thought that was it. She’d also briefly posed the idea of gathering a search party to look for more portals to Earth, and mentioned maybe she could go and see about finding Cy and Elm but it was all too risky. I didn’t want her risking her life for me like that, or for my males. She phrased it all like she owed me something and she didn’t.
Friendship wasn’t like that. She’s figured it out now but she’d had me worried there for a moment.
“You found a male to take you to the dumping grounds?”
“I found a male that knows his way around this world.” Scowling, she admitted, “It’s just going to be a minute to convince him to be my guide.”
Oh, thank god! I thought she was about to tell me she’d found a male that actually agreed on her wild plan.
“Maybe wait until they come back from the next trip, and see if there are any little ones then,” I suggested.
Dace gave me a look. “I’m person non au gratin or however you say it,” she muttered. “They’ll never just let me raise a Lo denaii baby on my own.” Shifting uncomfortably, she muttered, “I’ve already been told as much.” In a mocking grumble, she growled, “Not same, not have Lo denaii mate. Know how take care of beast baby? No. Candy-ass don’t.”
“I’m sorry,” I got out between the chortles that stole over me, “but you do them so perfectly now.”
Dace smiled, unoffended, and shrugged. Her smile fell just as fast. “I want to be a mommy so bad, Pru. I know I can be a good one, if I was just given the chance.” Staring down at the ground, her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears and she started to sniffle. “I’d love them more than anything. They’d never go through what I did growing up. I’d be there, always.”
Wrapping my arm around her, I tugged her close. “You’re going to be the best auntie this nugget has ever had,” I murmured softly as my hand slipped to my stomach.
“You bet your buns I’m going to be the best favorite auntie,” Dace squeaked out with a watery smile.
Swiping at her face, Dace pulled away and shook her head. “Have I told you lately how much you mean to me?”
“It’s been a couple hours.” Tapping my chin with the tip of my finger, I gave her a look. “Maybe you should remind me.”
Dace laughed and threw her arms around me. “Love ya… Poo-dense,” she got out between choking laughs.
“Ditto, Candy-ass,” I laughingly tossed back.
We were halfway through our picnic when a soft whistle pierced the air. Dace’s gaze shot up and then she froze.
Trying to follow what had her caught up like that, she turned to me, crushed me in a hug, my mouth still half full of roast meat sandwich, and she gave me a squeeze. “So, hey, I’ve gotta go right now! I’m working on something so I’ll be real busy for a minute but it’s a surprise, you’re going to love it, no hunting me down and peeking!” Popping up, she went to rush off but turned to me at the last moment, “Life’s short, poo. Call Kehl’s ass out.” With a shrug, she smiled. “You never know.”
“I’ll think about it,” I called after her.
“Remember you love me!” she laughingly called back, which was a little confusing but she’s been acting extra squirrely lately. Maybe she misheard what I’d said.
Chapter 20
Later that day, night had fallen and I’d trudged back home after dropping off Dorothy’s basket and asking them to keep quiet about the baby until I’d had a chance to talk it over with Kehl. Dorothy totally understood, and sent me on my way with a bundle of cookies she’d just made wrapped in thick cloth.
She was trying to fatten me up, I swear.
Kehl was extra attentive, loving on me extra hard from the moment he walked in the door, until we cuddled up for the night with the stew and bread I’d made in our bellies.
