Page 41 of Blue Norther
“I’m fine, I think I’m just having a hot flash. The baby makes it so damn hard to regulate my temperature.” I pulled away from him and tried to shuck my jacket off my body.
“Vi?”
I wasn’t fine.Not at all.Because Colt had been so wonderful about everything, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t walking into a situation where the rest of his family wouldn’t be absolutely fuming that I hadn’t come straight back to Silver Springs the second the pregnancy test was positive. And my damn hormoneswere swinging so fast these days I felt like sobbing, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I was overwhelmed, or nervous, or scared, or so fucking horny for my husband that if he kept looking at me with concern in his eyes, I might just tackle him to the ground right here and rip his clothes off.
“I’m nervous, okay?!” The damn jacket fell into my hands and I waved it around like I’d lost my mind. Which clearly, I had. “I mean, I haven’t seen most of your family for years, and I’m quite certain they’re all on your side now, which of course it’s notabout sides. And theyshouldbe on yours. It’s just that…I ran. I ran, and I left everything and everyone I loved here, and now I’m back and I’m having a baby, but not justababy. I’m havingourbaby. The baby that would have meant we stayed together and had a happy life here like we always talked about, but instead we’re living together in the house we worked so hard to turn into a home during our marriage, sleeping in the bed we made love to each other in, not touching the elephant in the room that iswhat happens when the baby is born,and we have to figure out how to split time. Because I know that’s what you are going to ask me to do, Colt. I know you want to be in this baby’s life, and I want that for you too. But you also can’t take him from me. You signed away your rights and that means legally, he is mine and only mine. So if you think walking into that house is going to give you some sort of power over me, or if you think I’m going to let your family wrap their arms around me and hold me in place until I agree to give the baby over to you, then…then…I don’t know.” My voice hitched, and I swear my flushed skin sizzled as a tear rolled down my cheek. “I’m just scared.”
Colt didn’t say a word—he just moved. Before I could fall apart even more, his strong arms were around me. Comforting me. Pouring in his own strength and silent promises to me.
“I would never take our son from you.” His words vibrated through his chest as his hold on me tightened. “As for everythingelse you just blurted out in an adorable rant, don’t give a second thought to my family. I’ll always be onyourteam when it comes to facing anyone in the world, especially my knucklehead brothers and my sometimes overbearing parents. We already know Jessie and Hawk are Team Calliope.”
I gasped and shoved my hand against his chest. “Don’t say that name out loud! Someone could overhear you,” I hissed.
He just laughed, his hands gathering my hair up off my neck. I felt a cool breeze dust over my heated skin, the effect instantaneous. My shoulders fell, the tension melting away.
“Better?” he asked.
“Better.”
“Good. Now, if you feel like freaking out more, we can hang out here for another minute. Or, we can just tackle it head first and get it over with. Your choice.”
“Run, and hide, and live with the hope that your family won’t hate me forever and ever, please.”
Colt laughed. “Sweetheart, my family would be so disappointed if we didn’t give them a chance to love on the baby and support us.”
The house was filled with conversation and laughter as we walked in, which would have been awesome if not for the fact that everyone literally stopped speaking and turned to look at us.
I swear, Hayes and Beau looked exactly the same as the last time I saw them, but I couldn’t believe how much Beau’s best friend, Birdie, had changed. Not in a bad way, either. She was always a cute girl, but she was absolutely stunning now.
“Hey, guys. Decided to go with a full on stare at Vi instead of a welcome wagon?” Colt joked, breaking some of the tension.
“Are they dating?” I whispered to Colt.
His brows pulled together. “Who?”
“Beau and Birdie?”
He shook his head at me, his face full of surprise.
“Violet! It’s so great to see you again!” Birdie wrapped her arms around me.
“So great to see you, too. I wasn’t expecting you to be here tonight, but I should have known better. You and Beau still attached at the hip?”
“Pretty much. Someone has to keep him from saying all the ridiculous things that his brain comes up with.”
I laughed.
“Listen, this is probably so forward of me and you probably have things handled, but I know it can be tricky moving when you’re close to your due date. Jess mentioned you might need someone…I’m a certified nurse midwife and work in Bell Ridge with Dr. Witten and the staff at St. Clare’s hospital. I would be happy to make sure the office fits you into the rotation, or take you on myself as your midwife. Whatever you’d be comfortable with.” Birdie’s smile was so genuine it cracked open the wall I was quickly constructing around my heart.
“She delivered Beckett, actually, right here on the ranch. So, if you want a review of how she did, I can definitely give you one.” Jessie smiled. “I’ll tell you this, I absolutely wanted to throttle her when she said I wasn’t going to make it to the hospital.”
“But,” Birdie laughed, “I was right. There was no way we were making it all the way to Bell Ridge. And you had an uncomplicated delivery, thank goodness.”
“Except for a son arriving when we were expecting a daughter,” Hawk laughed.
“Yeah, well, there’s nothing I can do about that!” Birdie rolled her eyes.
“Alright, quit hoggin’ her.” Hayes stepped up next to Birdie, holding his arms out to me. I stepped into them, happy for the embrace.
