Chapter 23
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Quinn
“You have to go.”
I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes. “I don’t have to do anything.”
Charli mimics my stance and glares back. “Yes, you do. You love four-wheeling there.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to go.”
She huffs and shakes her head. “Listen, Quinn, this time next year, we’ll have a little one in tow, and a lot of the things we enjoyed doing before may be put on hold for a while. You have an opportunity to go, so why don’t you?”
I take a step forward and pull her into my arms. She instantly relaxes, the defensive stature she had seems to ebb away. “I don’t want to go without you and the baby.”
His sweetness always seems to deflate me and bring a smile to my face. “It’s one night.”
“One night too long,” he replies, placing a kiss to my forehead.
I love it when he does that.
“Listen, it’s a guys’ weekend. Everyone is going. I’m going to stay here with Oaklee and Lizzie. We have a whole day planned. Coffee shop, bookstore, and some shopping.”
His eyes sparkle. “Baby shopping?”
I roll my eyes, but the truth is I’ll absolutely be baby shopping. I won’t buy anything big, especially since we have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to the baby and us, but I’ll pick up some little things like gender-neutral clothes or cute little onesies.
He laughs, clearly understanding my no-answer is really my answer. “I still don’t like it.”
“You’ll have fun,” I assure him, knowing he will.
My family goes to an ATV park in Indiana several times a year.
Since Lizzie has to work this weekend, and Collin will be at the fire station for part of it, they decided just to do one night instead of the usual two.
I always go too, but with being pregnant and the fact Lizzie isn’t going, we decided to make it a girls’ weekend at home while the guys go do their thing.
Everyone is going, including Wyatt, Alex, and a few others who don’t always make it on every trip.
I know they’ll have fun, and yes, I’ll miss him, but I think this is important for us as a couple, to still be able to do things separately, even though we’d rather do them together.
“I guess,” he mumbles with a sigh.
“I already packed your bag.” I flash him a cheeky grin.
He barks out a laugh. “Of course you did.”
“And your four-wheeler is loaded up on the trailer.”
“Figures.”
“Now, get going. They’re pulling out of Wyatt’s in thirty minutes,” I tell him with a pat on the ass.
“Thirty minutes, huh? Well, it’ll take me about ten to get to Wyatt’s place. My bag is packed, my four-wheeler is loaded. What should I do with the remaining twenty?” He’s already backing me toward his bedroom.
“We could get something to eat. I’m always hungry,” I tease, my body already igniting with desire.
His grin is wolfish as he pulls me against him, grinding his erection against my core. “Funny, I’m hungry too.”
The door slams shut behind us, and he sets out to show me exactly how hungry he is.
“How late was he?” Oaklee asks as we look over a section of medical books in the bookstore, iced drinks in hand.
“Almost thirty minutes. They showed up at the door, ready to kill him.”
Lizzie and Oaklee both start laughing.
“I believe there were some threats made as they returned to the trucks. It didn’t help Quinn had that dopey, ‘I just got some’ look on his face.”
Oaklee giggles even harder. “I wish I had seen that. I bet Cade was fit to be tied.”
“Oh, they all were. He was muttering something about killing him and me.”
Oaklee flashes me a look. “You know they wouldn’t really hurt him, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“They really like Quinn,” Lizzie adds.
“I know.”
“But they wouldn’t be doing their brotherly duty if they didn’t make him sweat a little,” Oaklee adds with another giggle.
“Boys are stupid,” I mutter, scanning the selection of books. “What are we looking for?”
“Books,” Oaklee replies.
I slurp my strawberry-banana smoothie, turning my attention to what I’m looking for. I find them easily, a variety of pregnancy-related books.
“Here!” she announces, pulling two books off the shelf and holding them up.
“Paths to Becoming a Midwife: Getting an Education in Midwifery Today and Heart and Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.” My eyes widen. “Did you decide?”
She nods, her eyes filling with tears. “Cade and I have been talking about it, and he’s so encouraging. We did some research online, and I even talked to the medical group I work for. They will help cover part of my schooling and work with me on my schedule.”
“That’s awesome,” Lizzie says. “We’ll help in any way we can.”
I nod in agreement. “Definitely.”
“Thanks, guys,” she replies, bouncing up and down in excitement where she stands. “I’m ready. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m ready.”
“What did you find?” Lizzie asks me.
I hold up the book.
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” Oaklee says without really reading the title. “Excellent book.”
I nod, slipping it under my arm to take to the front counter. “I thought about getting one for Quinn too.”
“Will he read it?” Lizzie asks curiously.
“Oh, definitely,” I reply, scanning the shelves. “He’s been doing so much research, ever since I told him I was pregnant.” They know all about the iced coffee treats he’s been making me every day and the extra care he puts into helping find healthy options for me.
We browse around, all of us choosing books to add to our to-be-read list, before eventually making our way to the front counter. We all pay and exit, walking to the boutique down the block, stopping long enough at my SUV parked along the street to drop off our book purchases.
“I’m buying all the baby things,” Oaklee announces as she pulls open the door.
I snort a laugh as my phone rings in my purse. Carefully, I retrieve the device, surprised to see my younger brother’s name on the screen. “Miss me already?” I ask.
“Uhh, hey, Charli.”
Something in his tone makes me pause. I’ve barely stepped inside the boutique and turn my back to any patrons who might be walking around. “What’s wrong?”
“Everything’s fine,” he states, but something tells me everything is not fine.
“Don’t bullshit me.”
Lizzie and Oaklee are close, concerned looks on their faces. Lizzie whispers, “What’s wrong?”
Camden sighs. “Quinn had a little accident.”
“What?” I holler, moving to the door and stepping outside. “What do you mean accident?”
“Well, we were riding, and he had an issue on one of the hills.”
I sigh, taking a deep, calming breath. “How badly is he hurt?”
“Not bad, promise, but we brought him to the ER just to make sure he didn’t break his ankle.”
“And is it?”
“Nope, just sprained.”
“So, where are you now?” I ask, leaning against the building and rubbing my temple.
“Just leaving the ER.”
“Can I—” I stop talking when I hear a rustle through the phone.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
I close my eyes and smile at the sound of his voice. “What happened?”
He chuckles. “Well, it all started when Cade said I didn’t have a hair on my ass if I didn’t jump over a creek.”
“First off, that’s a weird saying, and second, Cam said you were on a hill.”
“I was. At the top. The creek was at the bottom.”
“Quinn!”
“It’s fine, sweetheart, really. Four-wheeler is good. Mostly. Just some cosmetic stuff. No big deal.”
“You’re insane,” I mutter.
“But I won the bet,” he boasts proudly.
“And ended up in the ER.”
“Not my first time.”
“Please tell me you were wearing your helmet?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. It’s a requirement at the off-road park, and if they catch you riding without it, they’ll kick you out.
“I was. Not a scratch on it.”
“Because you landed on your shoulder, dumbass,” I hear someone holler.
It’s followed by a loud, “Tuck and roll!”
“So, you guys are coming home?”
“Of course not,” he insists. “It’s my right ankle. I don’t need it to shift gears.”
“But you need it to use the brake, Quinn!”
He laughs in my ear. “I’m kidding, sweetheart. We’re gonna head back to the campsite and grab some food. The guys will go on another ride before it gets dark, but I’ll hang back at the tents.”
I sigh and shake my head. “You boys are going to be the death of me.”
“And to think, baby, we could have a boy just like me.”
“Bite your tongue,” I joke without really meaning it. Our child would be so lucky to be like his or her daddy.
He chuckles and says, “All right, we’re getting into Cade’s truck. I’ll call you later.”
“Yes, please.”
“Love you.”
I can’t help but grin. “Love you too.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
As soon as I hang up, Oaklee asks, “What’s going on?”
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I reply, “Quinn sprained his ankle.”
“How? Did he trip over a log or something?” Lizzie asks.
I tell them what I was told and shake my head in resignation. “I should have known it was a dare or a bet or something.”
“He’s lucky he didn’t break his neck,” Oaklee grumbles. “Those Millers are going to be the death of me.”
“Hey, I’m a Miller!”
“Yes, but you’re not right in the thick of things, causing trouble,” Oaklee replies.
“Oh, I was growing up,” I insist with a laugh. “Usually, the one instigating the dare.”
“And Quinn isn’t a Miller,” Lizzie replies.
“No, but he’s a Cooper Town boy, and when they all get together, there always seems to be trouble,” Oaklee replies.
I reach for the handle and pull open the glass door. We step inside once more, bathed in the subtle scent of cotton and lavender. “True story.”
“Your mom deserves some kind of humanitarian award,” Lizzie says as we all move toward the baby section.
“Oh my God, look at this!” Oaklee hollers, holding up a cute little zip-up sleeper with farm animals on it.
“Adorable,” I agree, almost feeling overwhelmed as I look around. There’re so many cute items, and I have no clue what we’re going to need, or how much.
A gasp behind me has me spinning around. Lizzie’s holding up the sweetest little pink dress and a diaper cover with ruffles. “Please have a girl! I want to put her in dresses like this every day.”
I smile widely. “That’s so stinking cute,” I reply, “But something tells me that’s more of a special occasion dress.”
“What’s not special occasion about a Tuesday? I mean, come on.” She pulls a second one off the rack in a light green shade. “And one for Wednesday!”
I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t know that I need that stuff right now.”
“No, you’re right. You don’t even know what you’re having yet. I’d hate to buy all these cute dresses and find out it’s a boy.”
I nod, taking a sip of my smoothie.
“You should register here for your shower,” Lizzie says, looking through the clothes.
“Oh, good idea!” Oaklee agrees.
“I don’t know if I’m having a shower.” I haven’t even thought of it.
“Of course you are. We’re throwing it for you,” Oaklee says matter-of-factly.
“You are?”
“Duh! We’re practically sisters.”
“And when you marry my brother, we will be,” I state. Turning to Lizzie, I add, “And you’ll be next.”
She smiles gently, her green eyes like bright emeralds. “I’m not worried. It’ll happen when it happens.”
“Oh, it will. My brother knows a good thing when he sees it. He might be a complete idiot, but…I forgot where I was going with that.”
They both giggle loudly, slurping their coffee drinks. “He may be an idiot, but he’s my idiot.”
“That’s right, and no take backs. You’re stuck with him,” I tease, pulling white-and-light-brown striped pajamas from the rack. The front has a picture of a highland cow, and it says Welcome to the Herd. “Is this gender neutral?” I ask, holding it up.
“Oh, that’s adorable,” Lizzie says, while Oaklee nods eagerly and replies, “Yes.”
I don’t want to get a bunch of stuff, but I have to get this. It’s just too damn cute.
By the time we’ve finished shopping, everyone has a few items they’re purchasing for the baby.
Some cute little pajamas, onesies, a blanket, and some adorable bibs with sassy sayings on them.
I realize exactly how loved this child is, to not even be born yet, and already being spoiled rotten by their aunties.
“Do we have time for a slice of pizza before you have to go to work?” Oaklee asks Lizzie, who will be relieving Guy in a bit.
“Absolutely,” she insists, linking her arm through both mine and Oaklee’s and walking down the block toward the pizzeria. “I hope Mario’s working. He makes the best pizzas.”
“Doesn’t he? And his desserts are…chef’s kiss.” She makes the motion by bringing her fingertips to her lips and making the kissing motion.
“Baby is on board with this plan,” I agree.
“Well, come on, ladies. Let’s feed the baby,” Oaklee says.
I had always hoped my brothers would each meet someone they fell hard for, but on top of that, I prayed I’d love them just as much and finally have the sisters I always wanted.
I’m happy to report, both Lizzie and Oaklee fit in so well, not only with my lunatic brothers and our family in general, but they’re some of my closest friends to boot.
Now, Cade and Oaklee are getting married, and I’m sure Collin and Lizzie won’t be too far behind them.
Not when they turn just about everything into a competition to try to outdo each other.
I just hope Cam will find someone the way the three older Miller siblings have and fall madly in love with her.
He’s always so guarded, protecting his heart from hurt.
Not that anyone ever plans for heartache, but it’s a part of life.
It happened to him at the very end of high school, and I don’t think he’s come anywhere close to taking the leap since then.
Maybe someday…