“Aww. Talking about kids. How is everything going?” She nods towards my stomach. “You haven’t started showing yet.”
They say sometimes first-time moms don’t show until late in their pregnancy. I’m almost five and a half months, and I have the smallest bump that I’m still able to hide with the right clothes. “Everything’s good. I have a doctor’s appointment soon. I’m not sure if I’m going to go to Urbium or try to find a gyno here. It makes sense to find one I like here. But my family has been going to the same doctors for generations. It seems weird to go anywhere else.” We give birth at the same hospital in the same VIP suites. Our name is literally on a couple of the buildings.
“That’s a tough question. I still go into the city, but then again, I don’t have anything that might become urgent like the delivery of a baby.”
Rothswyler probably has a plan for that that involves a medical team and a helicopter. “Yeah. I’ve already bucked enough traditions.”
“Do you think your parents will show up for the birth?”
That’s a joke. “No. I’ll present their grandchild to them about six to eight weeks after the birth. They’ll ooh and ahh and promptly forget he exists until the time comes to read the next will.” It’s all so civilized.
“Sometimes I think I’d take that over my parents.” Cordelia sighs. “Then I remember how much they love me and appreciate how much they meddle in my life. Have you seen much of Silent Valley? There’s a nice little diner in town. We could grab some lunch.”
Lunch already? “Oh no. I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Bram for lunch.”
Her head pops up. “Bram?”
“It’s not what you think. I’ll tell you about him later. I’m late for lunch.”
***
As I slide into the chair across from Bram at the coffee shop, I start apologizing. “I’m so sorry. I’m never late. But I was chatting with my friend and totally lost track of time.”
“No worries. I already ordered for us. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. My ex used to…” Darrel isn’t the person I want to talk about. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” Bram gives me an understanding smile. “Was that friend The Cake Lady?”
That’s funny. “Yeah, Cordelia invited me over for tea and to see how I am handling the move.”
Bram leans forward. “How are you handling it?”
“I’m bored, confused, and a little unsure of my life, but otherwise I think this place has potential.” That might have been way too honest.
“What’s confusing you?”
“My neighbor. He seems to hate me, but he doesn’t know me.”
“He? Is he threatening you or something?”
“No. Nothing like that.” At least not with violence. “It’s more like he hates that I bought the house next to him. Maybe he was hoping someone else would buy it. But it had been on the market for a while before I got it. So that doesn’t seem right.”
“Some old guys are just grumpy.”
I definitely wouldn’t describe Creed’s dad as old. “What about men your age who are grumpy? What’s their excuse?”
“We’re practicing for when we get old.” Bram winks at me.
The waitress walks up to our table with a full tray. “So all of this wasn’t just for you, Bram.”
“Told you I was expecting someone.”
“I’m Jane. You must be new around town.”
“Greer. Yeah, I moved in a few days ago.”
“Welcome to Silent Valley. It’s a really nice, quiet town, but the people are friendly. Like Bram here.” She smiles at him and sets our food down. “You two let me know if you need anything else.”
