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The camera zoomed, settling on me for levity with a sound effect.

“Okay, it’s not that bad! And I think some of you might like the reasons why, okay?” I sighed.

The camera zoomed out.

“So, I need to announce that my book tour is cancelled. And things are changing. I’m releasing A Horse Girl’s Guide to Cowboys early next year and I’m not going to have much time to work on promoting it or editing it because… reasons.”

In a cheesy move, Cole rode up at a jog and slid to a stop on Doobs who obediently stood stock still. “Why’s that, Chloe?”

“See, that’s the big question. I’m going to be busy.”

The camera panned back, finally displaying my stomach. “I’m dealing with a massive distraction.”

“How did that happen?” Riley asked, walking through with a clipboard.

“I guess maybe I got a little too into the whole cowboy-meets-dressage-princess premise?” I shrugged.

Cole broke into a genuine laugh, blushing. We kept that cut. It was too good.

Riley let out a long sigh. “Never a dull moment around here.”

The camera cut back to a tight shot on me. “So, there you have it. Baby Markham-Hayward is coming in summer.”

A cut switched to Cole. “Coming to a horse show near you soon?”

The camera panned out.

“No doubt,” I giggled. “I promise I will be back, signing books all over the place in January. But I might move a little slower and have another person to contend with. I love you all. Can’t wait to share more soon!”

Cole kissed my head. “Well, it was cheesy, but it’s also kind of sweet. It came out a lot better than I thought it would.”

I slapped his arm. “I promised you it would!”

41. MEET THOMAS

COLE

“I cannot believe they just let us leave with him,” Chloe said as we left the parking garage with our newborn.

“It’s crazy how they let you do that, yes. I remember white-knuckling home with Piper thinking, ‘What business do I have doing this?’ You know?”

“Okay, so it’s not just me.”

I squeezed her hand, “No.”

As we stopped, I flicked to the backseat where our baby slept quietly, unaware of the welcome party that awaited him. After his mother suffered from pre-eclampsia, an emergency c-section, and a few weeks in the NICU, he was finally released with a good bill of health. Little Tom Markham-Hayward would not be stopped.

“Promise me it gets less scary,” Chloe said.

I could tell by her voice that she was crying.

“Oh, Chlo, it does. I promise. It’s like muscle memory.”

“It’s just so much easier for you.”

“Sure. I know what I am doing more than you, but it’s still different. He’s not Piper. You’re not Brynn. We will be different, but we’ll figure it out.”

Chloe dabbed her tears with a napkin she grabbed from the console of a G-Wagon she wanted me to drive. The safety rating was better than the truck. We both agreed it was preferable to transport the youngest family member in the vehicle with the highest crash test rating.