“Okay, I just need a minute here. You’re pregnant, and it’s Hawk Morgan’s.”
“Yes.”
Birdie folded her arms across her chest and leaned back, her eyes dropping to Jessie’s hands. “Where’s the ring?”
“What?” Jessie smiled. “There is no ring?”
“Hmm, guess the rumor about those guys isn’t true.”
“Oh no. It is. He asked me to marry him about ten seconds after I told him I was pregnant. But I told him no.”
“You did?”
Jessie sighed. “I don’t want him to be with me just because of the baby.”
“Do you honestly think that’s why he was asking?” Birdie’s eyes crinkled in the corner as she scrutinized Jessie’s face. Her long blond hair, tightly woven into a four-strand braid that laid neatly over her shoulder, shimmered in the sunlight.
“At first, maybe,” Jessie admitted. “I mean, it was a one-night stand.”
“That you wanted to be more.”
It wasn’t a question. Birdie always had this way of seeing right through any wall Jessie tried to put up.
“Yeah. Of course, I mean, you’ve seen him. He’s everything I find attractive in a man. And not even just physically. I thought our spark was just because he’s a big flirt and his attention made me feel worth something to someone outside of my family, but it’s so much more than that. He wants the baby… but I see more and more how he wants me too.”
“I’m so happy for you, Jess. I can’t believe Beau didn’t spill the beans to me yet!”
Her face flushed. “He doesn’t know. I haven’t told my family yet.”
“Ah, so that’s why Dolly thought you were at my house with the flu.”
Jessie bit down on her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I’ll tell them soon. I just need to work up the nerve.”
“Well, I’m here for you, however you need. You can actually come stay at the house if you need to.”
“You know how I feel about?—”
“Lainey moved in with her boyfriend two weeks ago.”
“Oh.” Now that was a surprise. Lainey and Birdie were the absolute opposites of each other, but they were sisters who’d had an unbreakable bond. “How do you feel about that?”
“Let’s just say I’m not thrilled, but she’s convinced he’s the guy for her and I’m just trying to be the supportive—and not at all overbearing—older sister. So, you can come stay any time you want. Even if I’m working overnight at the hospital. My place is your place.”
“You’re the best. That’s honestly why I wanted to ask you…” Jessie fiddled with the edge of her shirt. “I was wondering if you’d be my midwife. I just feel like I need someone who knows me.”
“Of course!” Birdie smiled. “I’m so excited! I’d love to be your midwife. You know, I’m actually thinking about starting a whole mind, body, spirit class for birthing moms, and you can be my crash test dummy!”
“Wow,” Jessie laughed. “I’m not sure that really sells it. Besides, I’m only sure about one thing when it comes to having this baby, and that’s that I want the epidural.”
“That’s perfect, Jess. If that’s what’s right for you, that’s what we’ll plan on doing. But it’s still a marathon for most moms, and going in with a good mental mind frame is important.”
“Okay,that’show you sell it,” she laughed. “I’m in.”
Jessie wrapped her sweet friend up in a hug.
“Hey, guys. Sorry, I don’t mean to crash your conversation.” Lacy walked back up to the bench completely out of breath.
“Are you okay?” The frantic look on Lacy’s face immediately set Jessie on edge.
