“Iamtrying to keep a secret,” I announced.
“Why don’t we just tell them?”
“We can’t tell them before we tell Lenni,” I insisted.“And I think I’d like a few days before we tell her.”
“Wyn,” he said with a sigh.“You puked twice this morning.What makes you think you’ll be able to keep this under wraps for any length of time?And do I have to remind you that we tried to keep our relationship on the down low and she saw you come out of my bedroom?”
“You’re babbling,” I said with a smile.
“I am not babbling.Men do not babble.”He paused.“We rant.”
I snickered.
“Anyway, we should probably get out of the truck, yeah?”Archer asked, reaching for the doorhandle.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I said.“Why don’t I meet you in the barn.”
He nodded.
“Did we ever decide what we’re telling Lenni about why we came back early?”I asked.
“That we saw everything we wanted to see and that we missed her,” Archer said.“Right?”
“Right.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips across mine and then he got out of the truck.I headed up the porch steps and entered the quiet house.I loved the home Hadley and Salem had grown up in.It was cozy and inviting.Squeaky stairs, a well-used fireplace, aprons stained with the remains of family meals.
Generations had been raised in their home.
I placed a hand on my belly.
After I went to the bathroom, I headed into the kitchen for a glass of water.While I stared out the window, my eyes focused on the chicken coop.Muddy held a basket and every now and again, she tossed scraps at the tiny raptors.
I took a sip of water and then set the glass down and went to the sliding back door.I wasn’t ready to tell anyone else I was pregnant, but for some reason, I wanted to confide in Muddy.
I was just about to call out to her when Poet’s grandfather came to the chicken coop fence.She turned and met him with a warm smile.
And then I watched as they kissed.
I must’ve made a noise, because they quickly broke apart.
Muddy’s face was flushed.In embarrassment at being caught or passion, I wasn’t sure.
“Sorry.”I winced.“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
I turned to leave.
“Hang on there,” Muddy commanded.“What are you doing here?You’re supposed to be in Libby at the wood carving festival.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and intentionally didn’t meet Grampy’s eyes.“Yeah, we, uh, got bored.Missed Lenni.So, we came back.”
“You got bored,” Muddy repeated slowly.“Just the two of you.In the throes of a new relationship?”
I swallowed.
“I’m just gonna ...”Grampy gestured behind him.
“Oh great, you’re going to leave me to handle this alone?”Muddy asked him with a raise of her brow.
