Maybe.
“How’s your dad doing?” I asked Piper. After her mother had died, Piper’s dad had struggled with depression, to the point where he’d tried to take his own life.
“He’s good.” She smiled. “He’s liking San Diego, though he and my auntie Caroline might kill each other soon.”
I laughed. “My sister and I certainly came close a few times. And that was as kids.” My thoughts drifted to Janelle. She hadn’t returned my last few phone calls and I was getting increasingly worried about her and the kids.
I hoped everything was okay. Despite the situation with Tim, if I didn’t hear from her soon I was going to New Mexico. My mother’s intuition was nagging at me to check on them.
“How’s wedding planning going?” I asked her, forcing my thoughts back to my friend. She and Ry had recently become engaged.
“Good. We’re keeping it low-key. Ry has a lot of house projects he wants to get to first.” She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “That man is only happy with a hammer in his hands, I swear.”
That sounded about right.
My gaze swung to Connie. “How’s Wes handling impending fatherhood of a baby girl?” I grinned.
Connie had texted us all the news after her doctor’s appointment, along with a photo of Wes looking mildly terrified.
She laughed. “He’ll be fine. It’s me that should be worried! My poor girl isn’t going to be let out of the house until she’s thirty!”
“She and Gracie can play together,” I teased as Mason whined. Apparently my time was up. I pulled him out of the Pack ’n Play, setting him on his feet against my chair.
“He’ll be running before you know it.” Sophie smiled, watching Mason.
“I know,” I agreed with a grin. “Mad’s not far behind,” I added, gesturing to Maddox who was in a similar position against her chair.
“It’s amazing they’re so close in age and that you guys just happened to live next door to each other in Texas,” Ettie mused.
It was amazing. Sophie had appeared in my life when I’d needed her most. Trapped in an abusive relationship with a new baby, I’d been something beyond lonely. Sophie had moved in, ready to pop with Maddox.
Though I’d only shared how terrible my relationship was with her recently, she’d been the closest friend I’d ever had. She’d also been my ticket out of that life, offering me a place to stay and the support I needed to start over.
I’d never look back.
Never.
I looked to Sophie with a warm smile. “Life has a way of working out sometimes.”
She winked in response.
****
It was midafternoon by the time Cal emerged, immediately picking up Mason and ushering us to his SUV.
I tried to get a read on his mood. He seemed distracted, his jaw clenched as he gripped the wheel. I left him to his thoughts, content to gaze out the window as we headed back to his place.
“I’ll get Mason down for a nap,” I murmured when we reached his house. I sensed he needed some time alone after whatever they’d been meeting about. Mason went down without complaint, tired from an exciting morning playing with his friends.
I went into my room, wanting to lie down for a few minutes. I’d only closed my eyes for a moment when I sensed him.
I opened my eyes, turning to watch his progress as he entered the room. “What are you doin’ in here?” he asked, standing by the side of the bed and peering down at me.
“This is my room,” I replied, confused by his questions.
I squeaked in surprise as his arms moved under me and lifted me up. “What are you doing?”
“This isn’t your room, not anymore,” he replied resolutely.
