Emery grinned. “Holden’s also the cousin of the guy married to Eliot’s sister.”
“Lily’s husband.” His smile was friendly. “I don’t know all the cousins yet, but I’m guessing the pumpkin day will clear it all up.”
“Or make it more confusing,” Emery said with a laugh. She fired up the computer on the desk. “Because all the kids will be there. I’m glad you’re coming. It’s a legendary weekend.”
Chapter Nine
Clover
* * *
An hour and a half later, I had a physical, a series of tests, and a quickie ultrasound. Van stayed with me the whole time, quiet but attentive. We got to see Lyric again when she drew my blood. Now I was in the pickup staring at the bean in my belly.
Van started the engine, but he didn’t drive anywhere. “That’s bigger than a lentil.”
“I think it’s enlarged, but it seems to be fully in lima bean territory.” The weight and responsibility of being a parent—and a single parent—piled onto my shoulders.
“Are you going to find out if you’re having a boy or girl?”
I stared at the black-and-white images in my hand. It really did have a baked bean shape. “I don’t know. In a way, I’d like to be prepared. But then it’d be nice to have a good surprise at the end of all this. And I really don’t care if Bean’s clothing or bedding is pink, blue, purple, brown, or chartreuse.”
“I hear the chartreuse baby bedding is a hot commodity.” He exchanged a smile with me. “What about names?”
“I haven’t even thought about that.” I ran names through my head. Names of girls I’d grown up with—Hailey, Kaitlyn, Beth. The boys—Jackson, Dillon, Cash. None that called to me. “I’ve always liked some rock and mineral names, and that’d really piss Elijah off.”
“Are you going to contact him again?”
“That ball is in his court.” I worked to keep my grip on the slippery paper to stop me from crinkling it. “I have to imagine he saw the text.”
Van tapped his finger on the wheel. “Probably.”
“What if he wants a role in the baby’s life?” Would he be a one-man wrecking ball? Fight me for custody? Neither of us had money for a custody fight, and my ex wasn’t that ambitious when it wasn’t about him.
Van shook his head. “I don’t know, Clover. I don’t feel like any of my family will be good for Bean.”
I smiled at him, grateful he was on the same page and I hadn’t needed to broach the subject first. “I like Opal or Pearl for a girl, and for a boy, I don’t know. I’m not a fan of Clay or Brick. I mean, they’re fine names.”
“Erosion is out?”
I laughed. It wouldn’t have been this easy to talk to Elijah about names. He would’ve canned everything I brought up, and I wouldn’t have realized he was manipulating me. “I think the same goes for feldspar and limestone.”
“Sandstone or strata?”
“Strong names, but no. Got any super cool family names that aren’t Elijah and Dan?” I would not name this kid after Elijah or his dad.
Van went quiet and gazed out the window again. “The grandpa I was close with was named Nolan.”
“I like that name.” Would it be weird to name my kid after Van’s grandpa? Wait…Nolan would’ve also been Elijah’s grandparent.
I carefully folded the images and tucked them into my purse. “Do you mind if we stop at the store? I have to get the ingredients for what I’m bringing this weekend. If you’ve gotta work, I can run to town later.”
“I don’t work for myself to be tied to the office.” He put the pickup in drive and pulled out of the lot. “I’m happy to take you if the ingredients you need happen to make cookie salad.”
I bit back a grin. “That’s so weird. They do.”
At the store, Van walked next to me and picked what he wanted. He kept his items secluded to one corner of the cart, but when we paid, he threw everything on the belt and waved me off.
“No, I got it.” I handed him my card. The grocery shopping experience had been pleasant enough. I would’ve handed over cash for that alone. Van made normal chores enjoyable.
