Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kincaid
My awareness filtered in slowly. It was hazy at first as I cataloged the sensations around me. The feel of Tori, warm and soft, curled against me. The sound of her steady breathing. And, of course, Bella’s familiar snoring from the floor nearby.
My lips curled into a smile as I slowly opened my eyes. All was well, and all felt right with the world. I took a quiet, deep breath, not wanting to wake Tori. My fingers sifted through her hair. My thoughts drifted lazily to the evening before.
I felt it when she stirred awake—a soft hum of awareness buzzing between us. Her lips moved against the curve of my shoulder, where her head was tucked. “Good morning,” she said.
I chuckled. “Good morning.”
Before we could say another word, the sound of Bella’s paws clicking on the hardwood floor reached us. Tori giggled. “Bella’s awake. No talking allowed if you don’t want her to know we’re up.”
“Hey, you’re the one who talked first,” I teased.
She lifted her head and smiled at me. Just like that, my heart flipped in my chest. The poignancy of the moment hit me hard—how simple it was, how good it felt waking up beside Tori.
Knowing we’d take Bella out together. Realizing we had this ordinary, beautiful life starting to take shape between us.
I leaned close and kissed her, slow and fierce. “Let’s take Bella out.”
A few minutes later, we walked out into the cool morning.
The air was damp and earthy, the breeze soft and quiet.
A nearby owl called out from the trees, early or late to the owl, depending on how you looked at it.
Bella happily did her business before trotting back to us, her tail wagging as she circled around our legs.
Tori’s gaze shifted toward her car. “When should we jumpstart my car?”
I shrugged. “Whenever you want.”
“Now works,” she said quickly. “You don’t mind?” she added, her brows arching up as she looked up at me.
“Of course not.”
Moments later, I’d pulled my truck up close to her little hatchback. We hooked up the cables and got her battery started. She bounced on her toes and kissed me on the cheek.
“That’s all I get for jumpstarting your car?” I teased.
She shrugged, grinning. “I’m just grateful. Also, thank you again for the ride to the vet clinic last night.”
“No need to thank me. You probably need a new battery,” I pointed out.
“Yeah. I probably do. But that’s a problem for another day.”
“We can take care of it today. Either way, you should do a little drive today to give your battery some run time.”
“I should?”
“Yeah.”
“All right,” Tori said with a shrug. “Should I take it for a little drive now?” She looked down at her tennis shoes. She was still wearing my T-shirt over her sweatpants—easily the best outfit I’d ever seen on her.
“Whenever you want.”
“Let’s go together.”
We got Bella settled in the backseat and went for a little drive through the misty morning.
“Let’s go to my favorite viewing spot,” Tori said.
“You have a favorite viewing spot?”
She nodded, her lips curling in a slow smile when she glanced over.
A few minutes later, she turned down a side road that led us up to a small parking area at the top of a rise.
The overlook offered a sweeping view across the valley below—tall grasses with a stream winding through and the ocean visible in the distance.
The grasses waved in the breeze as the sky turned shades of tangerine, gold, and soft pink.
We watched quietly while Bella sniffed every inch of the wooden railing at the edge of the overlook. I stole a quick glance at Tori. Her hair was still tousled, and her cheeks a little pink from the cool air. This wasn’t just a beautiful morning. It was the beginning of more for us.
As the sun rose, its rays broke through the clouds and glinted on the stream below. We made our way back to her house, showered, and headed into town. Tori wanted coffee. We’d switched over to my truck, since the plan was to pick up a new battery for hers.
I felt her gaze on me before I flicked a glance toward her. “What is it?” I asked.
She took a quick breath. “When do we tell people about the baby?”
“Ohhh,” I said slowly. “I figured I’d leave that up to you.”
“It’s not up to just me. It’s your baby too,” she pointed out.
“I know. But it just seems like, in this, I should defer to you. You’re the one who’s going to be, well, quite literally growing the baby.”
She let out a quick breath. “I know. I don’t know. Some people already know.”
She had told me last night that she’d talked with Tish, Casey, and Luna. “Okay. So maybe we don’t wait. If you’re ready, I’m ready.” When I pulled into the parking lot at Firehouse Café, I turned off the engine and looked over at her. “I just want to make sure this is what you want.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her brow furrowing.
“Having a baby. You can still change your mind.”
She held my gaze for several long beats before she finally nodded. “I know, and I appreciate you saying that. But I’m ready. It feels right, and it feels right with you.”
My heart gave a resounding kick against my ribs, as if in agreement with her—which was maybe odd, but that’s exactly how it felt. I meant what I’d said: if Tori wasn’t ready, I would’ve supported her, no matter what.
But the idea of having a family with Tori—who I loved—meant everything to me.
“I’m going to follow your lead,” I told her.
She eyed me. “What do you mean?”
“Just that.”
When I opened the café door and held it for her, motion caught my eye. I glanced over to see Griffin and Tish pulling in. Moments later, we were inside, standing in line. Janet happened to be at the counter. She was often there, but not always.
“What are you doing here so early?” I teased.
Janet flashed a grin. “I still like to come in early sometimes. Remind myself that getting up to be here by five-thirty has been a part of my life for—” She paused and let out a wondering laugh. “Oh, my gosh. Almost forty years.”
“Is this the first time you’ve counted?” Tori asked.
Janet shrugged. “Oh, I think about it. It’s just that saying it out loud makes me feel old.”
“You’re not old,” Tori said stoutly, just as Luna walked out from the back.
“Janet is definitely not old,” Luna announced.
Janet rolled her eyes. “I’m not young, but it’s okay. I appreciate every year of my life. I’ve earned each one.”
Griffin was already haggling with Luna over donuts. She put a hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. “It’s early. I need time to make more. You can only have one dozen. It’s just me. I’m the only one here making them,” she added pointedly.
Griffin chuckled. “Fine. I’ll come back later.”
Tori and Tish were talking quietly nearby, and Janet’s gaze bounced toward them as she slid coffees across the counter. “Okay, what is it, ladies?” she asked, eyes narrowing in playful suspicion.
Tori looked nervous. Her eyes darted to me for a beat before she blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”
Janet’s brows hitched high before a wide smile cracked across her face. Within seconds, she was bustling around the counter, arms open for a hug. Tori laughed as Janet pulled her in and gave her a squeeze. When she stepped back, Janet’s gaze arced to me. “I assume Kincaid is the father?”
“Yes,” Tori said quickly. “Absolutely. We weren’t planning it,” she added, her voice even but a little breathy.
“And, well, it’s happening.” She glanced around at the small group gathered near the counter.
“We were obsessing over—or rather, I was obsessing over—when we should tell people. But I decided there was no sense in keeping it a secret.”
“How far along are you?” Luna asked.
Tori paused. “I think... about twelve weeks now.”
“Wow, congratulations,” Griffin said.
“Maybe we weren’t planning it,” Tori added with a smile, “but we’re rolling with it, and we feel good about it.”
My lips tugged into a smile, my heart feeling cleaved open. Maybe I hadn’t expected any of this, but it felt like a slice of joy. We would have to roll with it because I had no idea how to be a father, but I was ready to face it. With Tori.
Tori and Tish continued talking by the display case. Meanwhile, Griffin caught my gaze. His brows hitched up ever so slightly, the silent question clear in his eyes.
“I feel good about it,” I said quietly, answering him.
He nodded. “Good. Sometimes curve balls are the best ones to catch.”
I chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”
I let my gaze slide over to Tori, who was now laughing at something Tish had said.
Bringing my focus back to Griffin, I added, “It just feels...” I paused, searching for the words. “I don’t know, I guess, ready. I have no illusions. I know it won’t be easy.”
“But you love her,” Griffin said, his voice low.
“I do,” I said simply. “I really do.”