“I’ve been thinking about the car at the hospital.”
Hawk encouraged Jessie to lay her head down in the crook of his arm. “You don’t need to worry about that. I talked to Gage after I got off the phone with your brother. He’s going to review every camera he can get access to. We’ll find the person.”
“I think they’ve been following me.”
He froze. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen that car before. Outside Lach’s shop. And didn’t you notice it was the same kind of car that nearly ran us off the road?” She closed her eyes. “Today, before Mae and Stone brought me to the hospital, I saw it again.”
It took everything in him to not reach for his phone and text an SOS to the entire team. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?”
“I thought I was imagining it. Making it up. I told Lach, but he seemed to think it was just some leftover anxiety from what I went through with Mae. And I think I convinced myself of that too. But I don’t think it’s a coincidence any more.”
Hawk closed his eyes and blew out his breath in a huff. “I’ll figure it out, Jessie. I promise. I’ll keep you safe. Always, Pretty Girl.”
“I know you will.”
Jessie faded off to sleep about ten minutes into the hockey game he’d turned on the TV. Her adorable little snores were almost in perfect rhythm with the skates zipping up and down the ice. Their little girl would fall asleep to that sound… the skates on ice, not her mother’s snores, although she probably would fall asleep to those too… just like he had as a kid. Hawk’s palm had been resting on Jessie’s belly, up under her shirt, since they sat down, but he moved it, pressing down to see if he could feel where Bee was.
His eyes were glued to the TV when the first littlethumplanded against his skin. Hawk froze, willing it to happen again, and too afraid to move, like even letting his breath out would spook her. But it didn’t. Another littlethumplanded against his hand, and then he felt something else. Maybe a roll? Or a stretch? The most beautiful movement, whatever it was.
“Jessie…” he whispered as his eyes filled with tears. Hawk picked Jessie’s feet up off his lap and set them on the cushion where he was sitting as he landed on his knees right next to her hip. “Jess, wake up.”
“What? Did I fall asleep?” she yawned. As soon as her jaw closed, her eyes widened, and Hawk had to stop her from trying to sit up. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Her palm landed against his cheek, wiping away the tear that fell.
“I think I felt her,” Hawk whispered. “I felt Bee move. It was incredible! I shouldn’t have woken you up, but I wanted to share the moment with you.”
His lips were on her rounded belly, right next to his hand. “Hi, Bumblebee. It’s Dad. Did I tell your mama earlier that I love her, but I forgot to tell you? Is that why you decided to finally let me feel your kicks? Well, I’ll say it so much you’ll be rolling your eyes and standing with your hands on your hips in no time. I love you, baby girl. You and your mama are the best thing that ever happened to me. You’re my whole world. Keep growing big and strong.” He pressed his lips down next to his hand. “I can’t wait to meet you.”
“We love you, too,” Jessie sighed as he laid his head on her hip. Her fingertips ran through his hair. “I know you said earlier that it was your job to make sure I stayed true to livingout my own dreams, but I want to make sure I’m also doing that for you.”
“You are. This right here is my ultimate dream, Jessie. Being with you. My baby growing in your belly.”
“But your work?—”
“It doesn’t matter. This does. This is everything.”
Twenty-Five
“You better not be texting Hawk right now! We agreed to a girls’ only afternoon!” Adrienne laughed as she pointed to Jessie’s hands.
“Sorry!” Jessie squeaked, before sliding her phone back into her purse. “He’s just so worried about me being out on my own after what happened. I’m surprised I could get him to agree to letting me do this at all.”
“That’s only because I’m here.” Mae smiled as she held up a stunning floor-length maternity dress. It was the softest shade of pink and looked like it would feel incredible to wear. “He knows I would jump in front of anyone trying to hurt you.”
“Hmm, sister-in-law-ish, world’s best aunt, and my own personal ninja. How did I get to be so lucky?” Jessie teased.
“Add personal stylist to the list, and take this dress to try on.” Mae held the hanger out towards her.
“No way. What the heck would I even wear something like that too?”
“Your maternity pictures.”
“Which is not happening.”
“What?” Adrienne turned, her jaw dropping open. “You have to take some! You are the cutest pregnant lady ever and you’ll want to remember what a badass you were through this whole thing!”
