Page 98 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

I’d called my parents right after we’d left the doctor’s office. And though my mother was surely best friends with the clerks at the shipping store by now, I was certain even she couldn’t get something to Montana from New York in under three hours.

Kaine’s thumb stroked the back of mine. “She sent me a box the size of Texas last week full of boy and girl clothes, along with a note to hide it from you until today. Then I could give you the right ones and send the rest back.”

With my free hand, I clutched my heart. Not only was my mom incredibly thoughtful, but I loved that she and Kaine talked. He talked to my dad too. And my brother. It wasn’t for long stretches, but they all knew him and on occasion, they’d chat if he answered my phone or we called them together.

“We should try your mom again,” I suggested. “You can tell her about the mini toolboxes you found.”

They were by far the cutest toys I’d ever seen. The boys wouldn’t be able to play with them for a while, but Kaine had bought them from the toy store anyway.

“Maybe I should have waited on those,” he muttered.

“Why?”

“No reason.”

There was a reason. Kaine was worried that something bad might happen to the babies. I’d caught him lost in thought many times over the last two months. I’d find him in the nursery, holding a white baby bootie or a soft blanket, staring blankly at a wall. He’d be completely lost in his own head, battling his fears.

Every time, I did the only thing I could think of.

I hugged him.

Not once had I promised him that everything would be okay. Life was unpredictable and harsh—something he understood better than anyone.

“Call her.” I knew talking to his mom would help ease some of his fears.

Suzanne Reynolds had become a solid presence in our lives. I’d never met the woman. I’d never seen her picture, so I had no idea what she looked like. But she’d become one of the most important people in my life.

Because she was so important to Kaine.

He called her every day, trying to make up for the years lost. He talked to her about the babies and his work. He’d introduced her to me on a phone call the day after he’d told me about Shannon and their daughter.

Kaine brought up his phone on the Tahoe’s system. He drove it so often, it was basically his vehicle. Whenever I had to go down to Logan’s house for work, he drove me and would then come and pick me up. He took me to dinner or to the grocery store. Thea teased me about being the only person in Lark Cove who had a chauffeur.

The sound of a dial tone filled the cab. We’d tried Suzanne after leaving the doctor’s office but hadn’t gotten ahold of her. I was afraid we’d miss her again when the fourth ring came, but at the last second, she answered.

“Hello,” she panted.

“Hey, Mom. You busy?”

“Hey! No, I was just out in the garage, putting the flower pots away before it snows.”

Kaine frowned. “I should have done that for you when I was there.”

“The mums were still blooming. And it’s not like I haven’t done it before.”

“Sorry.” Kaine tightened his grip on the steering wheel. I’d lost count of his apologies these last two months.

“Hi, Suzanne,” I chimed so she’d know I was there.

“Piper! What a nice surprise. So . . . did you guys find out?”

I smiled and looked at Kaine. He was smiling too as he delivered the good news. “Boys.”

“Boys!” Suzanne cheered. “Twin boys. Having two boys is so much fun.”

My head tilted to the side, replaying her words. Suzanne sounded like she knew what it was like to have two boys, but as far as I knew, Kaine was an only child.

I opened my mouth to ask, but Kaine cut me off.