I pull out the vintage romper with tiny cowgirl hats printed all over it. It was too darling not to put aside for myself.
“It’s perfect,” Briar squeals, clapping her hands. “My niece is going to be the best-dressed cowgirl Bluebell has ever seen.”
Birdie pulls a pair of pink boots from the basket on top of the rack. “Pair these with the romper and it would be absolutely adorable.”
Briar’s eyes light up. “I love it.”
It’s been hard not to hoard every cute baby item that comes into the shop for myself, especially now that I know we’re having a girl. Our inventory has definitely expanded since I found out I was expecting.
The only things stopping me from going overboard on keeping too much for my little peanut are the serious lack of space in the apartment and wanting to include Heath in every decision, including picking out our baby’s first outfits.
These past two months have been pure bliss, aside from the heartburn, back pain, and stretch marks. Adapting to the second trimester hasn’t been easy, but things with Heath have been incredible. He’s been so patient with my endless mood swings and can’t keep his hands off my growing belly, constantly cradling it like it’s the most precious thing in the world.
Our baby girl is making us wait to feel her kick, just like she has with most things in this pregnancy. We’ve been reassured at every ultrasound that she’s healthy and active. Heath often reminds me she’s as stubborn as her mama, and I’d better get used to her doing things on her own schedule.
Birdie holds up a newborn sleeper and squints at the size tag. “Do you realize you’re going to have to push a watermelon-sized baby out of your vagina?”
“Thanks for the visual, Birdie. Really,” I reply dryly. “It’s not like I’ve been trying to block out that visual for weeks.”
“You know,” Briar interjects with a grin spread across her face. “I’ve assisted with plenty of deliveries on the ranch.”
“As tempting as it is to give birth in a barn or whatever it is you’re suggesting,” I start, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “I plan to be heavily medicated in a gloriously sterile hospitalroom. For now, denial is my coping strategy for the fact I’ll have to push out a whole human, fingers and toes included.”
Ever since the doctor asked me about my birth plan, I’ve been low-key panicking and doing everything possible to avoid thinking about the actual delivery. How am I supposed to decide which position I want to give birth in or who’s going to be in the room when I’ve already been warned that any plan I make could go right out the window if there are complications?
The one nonnegotiable for me is an epidural. I have no desire to experience that level of pain without some serious pharmaceutical backup.
“Maybe you should’ve thought of the consequences before you let Heath rawdog it.” Birdie winks.
“Nope.” Briar shakes her head as she pushes a dress back onto the rack. “I’ve told you a million times, I do not want to hear any sexual references involving either of my brothers.”
“How exactly do you think this little princess got here?” I chuckle, rubbing my belly. “You know, the niece you can’t stop bragging about?”
“Denial—same as you,” she quips.
“At least I’m not—”
“Shh,” Birdie interjects, raising a finger to her lips. “Do you hear that?” The faint sound of meowing drifts through the store. “I think there’s a cat in your alley.”
She doesn’t hesitate, heading straight for the door leading to the mudroom.
“Birdie, wait,” I call after her, but she’s already gone.
She doesn’t mess around when she thinks there’s an animal that needs help, and I already know she’s about to give me endless shit the second she discovers my secret.
“Charlie. Get out here right now,” Birdie yells. “You have some explaining to do.”
Called it.
Briar turns to me, smirking. “Do I even want to know what you did?”
“You’re about to find out,” I reply cheekily.
I wave for her to follow me to the back alley where Birdie is standing with a hand on her hip.
“What the heck is all this?” she demands, motioning around us.
There’s no cat in sight, but next to the feeding station Heath put out a couple of months ago stands an unfinished catio he’s been building. Its rafters stick up unevenly, with several support beams already bolted to the brick wall.
