Chapter 19
nineteen
Cordy was done being pregnant. She was officially one day overdue, and that was one day too long.
She’d had what was supposed to be her final doctor’s appointment yesterday and asked the doctor what was wrong with her and why wasn’t this baby out? Her darling doctor had only laughed at her.
“You’re hardly overdue,” Dr. Shenoy said. “And first babies are often late. Trust me, everything is fine.”
Cordy thought Dr. Shenoy one of the nicest women she’d ever met. After that comment, Cordy was reconsidering that opinion.
“But I want to meet my baby,” Cordy wailed. “It’s been forever.”
“Well, there are things you can do to stimulate labor. Sex, for example.”
Cordy was getting plenty of that, but still no baby. So that clearly didn’t work. She ought to tell the doctor that was complete bunk.
Yes, yes, she would, for science.
“It’s thought that the sperm helps ripen the cervix,” Dr. Shenoy said.
Oh. Cordy pulled up short. Well, that was not the kind of sex she was having and not the kind she was going to get. Not with Chance keeping all his clothes on. The bastard.
“Sorry.” Dr. Shenoy saw Cordy’s expression. “I guess that does sound a bit… unpleasant.”
The things that would happen to Cordy’s cervix when she had the baby would be way beyond unpleasant. Dr. Shenoy had said them all without batting an eye.
“It’s fine,” Cordy said. “Sperm on my cervix, huh? That will get things moving?”
“I’m only saying it might.” Dr. Shenoy patted her leg. “You’re going to hate me saying this, but be patient. Baby will come when they are ready and not before.”
It was true; Cordy did hate it. But she had smiled anyway.
So here she was, one day overdue, letting Chance drag her around Main Street and not screaming her frustration to the heavens. Cordy was showing the kind of patience a saint would envy.
“I thought we were picking up something from the Mercantile,” Cordy whined. “This isn’t the way.”
“I want to see something across the square.” Chance remained annoyingly calm in the face of her bad mood. It made her even more cranky.
“Why are the Warblers set up in the bandstand?” Cordy gestured to them. “It’s not Third Thursday.”
“Someone must be having a party.” Chance didn’t even look at where she was pointing.
“I guess so.” She peered at the park next to the square. “Yeah, those are balloons over there. A lot of them.”
A whole lot of them. Cordy had seen balloon arches before, but this was more like a balloon pavilion. And such pretty colors, dusky rose and muted blues with sage green scattered in—her favorite colors. Her throw blanket had those colors, brightening her day each time she saw it.
Despite her mood, she smiled. Someone was going to have a fantastic party.
Chance was gently herding her toward the balloons. Cordy not so gently resisted.
“Chance, no,” she hissed. “We can’t crash their party.”
“It’s not crashing.”
She gave up and let him take her where he wanted. “Even in a small town, you can’t do this. I’m sure you’ve known these people since they came out of the womb, but we weren’t invited.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “I haven’t known this person that long. But I’m real glad they’re here now.”
“Is this someone’s birthday? Why didn’t you tell me we were going to a party?”
What was all that business about the Mercantile? He was being weird, and she was too pregnant for this.
“Not a birthday party.”
The closer they got, the more confused Cordy was. Something about all the pastels was making her feel funny. Like she ought to know what was going on.
“Is it a wedding shower?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” was all he said.
Cordy recognized Jaycee first. Then Ruby, Sam, Chelsea, and more people crowded around her, smiling and telling her, “Surprise!” and “Congratulations!” It took her a moment to realize what was happening.
It was a baby shower. For her.
Her body locked up in stunned surprise. She knew she ought to say something and tell everyone how pleased she was, but Cordy was too overwhelmed. She never expected anything like this.
Chance came to her rescue, stepping between her and everyone to give her a moment. “You need anything?” he whispered.
She put her hand on his shoulder, grateful for his strength, his kindness. Grateful for him. “I’m okay.” Her tone was watery. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Surprise.” His mouth curved into a smile she’d never seen before. Boyish, but not immature. Happy, but a touch shy.
Chance was always smiling, always grinning. This expression wasn’t anything like those smiles. It was soft, intimate, just for her and him.
Her fingers curled into his shoulder, feeling the heat and heft of him beneath the cotton of his shirt. He was steady and strong and ready to be her supporting arm.
“Thank you,” she said huskily. “Thank you for everything.”
“It was Jaycee’s idea. Then Ruby got involved somehow and next thing I know, the whole town’s coming.”
“Because they like baby showers.”
“Because they like you. You mean something to everyone here.”
“But I didn’t grow up here.” Cordy didn’t know why she kept pushing back. She’d seen for herself how much people cared for her, time and again. But the small part of her left from childhood, the bit that had never clung to anything because she knew she couldn’t keep it, wouldn’t believe.
“Doesn’t matter,” Chance said decisively. “You’re one of us now.” His hand spread over the small of her back. “They’re here for Reed, too. He was one of us, and we want to remember him. Honor him.”
That gave her the courage to lift her head. It wasn’t just about her; it was about Reed, too. She turned to face the town.
“Thank you,” she called out. “I’m… I’m glad the baby decided to stay in so long so I could enjoy this!”
That got laughs, just like she wanted.
“So again, thank you. I’m so very touched.” Cordy sniffed, not letting her emotions overwhelm her. “But after this, I’m definitely ready for this baby to come!”
More laughter. Someone shouted from the back, “So are we! We can’t wait to meet them.”
She was swept up into the party, passed from Ruby to Jaycee to Chelsea to Liberty to Janey Lee to Sam and even to Pierce.
Pierce pressed a small box into her hand as she hugged him. “It’s for you, not the baby,” he explained.
When she opened it, she found a sliver heart hanging from a delicate chain. “Oh, Pierce, it’s so pretty! Thank you.”
“I got it from the jewelry store in Fordsville,” he explained. “If you take it to them, they’ll engrave the baby’s name and birthdate.”
“Oh.” Cordy curled her fingers around the heart. “That is so sweet. This is possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever gotten me.”
Pierce shrugged as he ducked his head. His cheeks were bright red. “I figured you’d like it.”
Cordy hugged him again. “I love it. And I’m going to miss you when I’m on maternity leave. Promise you’ll come visit?”
“Oh yeah.” Pierce’s posture loosened. “I’m signed up for the meal train.”
“Of course you are,” Cordy said under her breath.
“I’m bringing these high-protein breakfast bars I make when I’m bulking,” he said. “They’ve got fruit and stuff in them, they taste… okay. But I know you’ll need to keep your strength up while nursing, so I figured those would be good.”
Although his comment that they tasted okay wasn’t encouraging, it was so kind and thoughtful of him anyway. What a great kid Pierce was—and what a great human he was. Cordy was genuinely blessed to know him.
“They sound great.” Her voice wobbled. She forced it to be normal. “Most people don’t think about breakfast, but it’s the most important meal of the day.”
“Dude, I know .” Pierce said that the way other people said Amen .
After that, Liberty brought her a full plate of food, and then Jaycee ushered her to a seat of honor decorated with balloons and surrounded by a mountain of presents. Cordy was filled with happiness and embarrassment as she took the chair. It was too much. She didn’t like being the center of everyone’s attention, but she was incredibly touched all the same.
She oohed and ahhed over each present. Several people told stories they remembered of Reed as she opened their gifts, which were better than the gifts themselves.
It was the best afternoon of her entire life.
Justin was even there with his two daughters, Kaylynn and Hope. Kaylynn ran up to Cordy and shoved a wrapped present into her hands while Hope hung back next to her dad.
“Can you open it now?” Kaylynn begged. She bounced on her toes impatiently. “Please?”
“They picked it out together,” Justin said.
“Of course I will,” Cordy said, charmed down to her socks. What precious girls they were. “I can’t wait to see what it is. I love the wrapping paper.”
Carefully, Cordy pulled up the tape and revealed her gift. She gasped when she touched it.
It was a thick, indescribably soft blanket. Without thinking, Cordy pressed it to her cheek to feel the texture.
“Oh my goodness,” she breathed. “I love it.”
“It’s just like my blanket,” Kaylynn said. “The one I’ve had since I was a baby.”
“And mine, too,” Hope added shyly.
“Mrs. Ulker makes them,” Justin said. “Pretty much every kid in Star Crossed Springs has one.”
“And now my baby will too.” Cordy smiled at Justin. Yeah, he’d taken her job and her apartment, but he really was a nice guy. And he was genuinely trying to get his life together. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Cordy crouched down so she was eye level with the girls—thank goodness Ms. Reston had made her do so many squats. “Thank you both so much. I’m so glad my baby will have the same blanket.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?” Kaylynn asked.
“Kaylynn,” Justin said, “we don’t ask that.”
“No, it’s okay,” Cordy said. “I don’t know yet. I won’t know until the baby is here.”
“Really?” Hope was wide-eyed. “My mom knew I was a girl the whole time.”
Kaylynn looked up at Justin. “Did my mom know the whole time?”
Justin’s expression turned to panic. “Um, I don’t?—”
“Have you girls had cake yet?” Cordy asked. “I had two pieces, and they were delicious.”
The girls were off like a shot, Justin following as best he could.
After that, things wound down. There were no more presents to open, but Ruby and Chelsea wouldn’t let Cordy help clean up. Jaycee came to sit with her and compare their swollen ankles. Even though Jaycee had a few weeks to go and Cordy was overdue, Jaycee won that contest.
As Jaycee was complaining about her win, the Saxons arrived. Rob, Janet, Hailey, and her husband, Brad, all of them in a row.
Cordy stared for a moment. So they had come, after all. When she hadn’t seen them at first, she didn’t let herself dwell on their absence, too determined to enjoy herself.
Mrs. Saxon had a small white box in her hands. She wasn’t smiling, but her expression was open, almost pleading.
Cordy got up and went to them. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
She couldn’t even care that they were late. They were still here.
Mrs. Saxon patted her arm. It wasn’t quite a hug, but it was the start of something. “I brought Reed’s christening gown. Hailey told me you’d like to use it. I only ask that you return it to me so Hailey can use it for her kids.”
“Of course.” Cordy put her hand over Mrs. Saxon’s and gave a gentle squeeze.
Both Mr. Saxon and Hailey seemed to release a silent sigh of relief. The lingering tension finally cracked and fell away.
“You should get some food,” Cordy said. “It’s all delicious. And the cake, too… the cake is wonderful.”
“Quite the turnout,” Mr. Saxon said in an attempt at heartiness.
“Yeah.” Hailey subtly nodded to Ruby. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get here sooner.”
“Oh, we’re still going.” Cordy gestured to the Warblers, who were playing a remarkable cover of “Hit Me Baby One More Time” as two women tried to recreate the dance.
Hailey grabbed her dad’s arm. “Let’s get some food before it’s all gone.”
That left Cordy and Mrs. Saxon all alone.
Cordy didn’t wait to let the silence get weird. “I’ll need your help planning the christening. I’ve never been to one before.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Saxon pulled back. “You’ll be here that long? I thought… Reed always said you’d leave as soon as the baby was born. Is your stay with Chance not… temporary?”
She said that last as if it were fine china that might break under too much pressure.
“Reed and I didn’t have a chance to discuss that.” Cordy swallowed down a sudden knot of grief. There was so much they didn’t have time to talk about. “I’m planning on staying… well, for a while.”
Having never stayed anywhere for too long, Cordy wasn’t sure how to say she might stay permanently.
Did people just admit that? I’m staying forever? She had no idea.
The Chance question was tricky, too. They hadn’t talked about what came next. Surely, Chance was tiring of their arrangement. It was everything he’d never wanted.
“Staying with Chance is temporary,” Cordy said firmly. She gentled her tone. “I’d like to move into Reed’s house, if possible. It would be good for the baby to grow up in her dad’s house.”
Cordy had no idea if that was true—her dad had never had his own house—but it sounded right.
The lawyer had told her the last time they talked that it would be best if Cordy and the Saxons could come to an agreement without going to court. The lawyer would help draw up the legal paperwork to make official whatever compromise they worked out. Cordy hoped the Saxons would agree that was best.
“Of course.” Mrs. Saxon had the same expression as when she told Cordy and Reed they ought to get married. “A child needs stability. And family around them.” She cut a glance to Chance, who was standing with Quint. “Some families are more stable than others.”
Cordy stiffened. How dare this woman imply Chance was some kind of lowlife? He’d stepped up for her when no one else had and kept stepping up. He and his brothers. Cordy would always be grateful for their kind of stability.
But before she could spit out her anger, she bit her tongue. “They’ve been very good to me,” she said quietly. Better than you have.
“Well, yes.” Mrs. Saxon had the decency to look embarrassed. “I’m sure they have. But Reed’s house is all ready for you. I have a key, and I’ve been going in twice a week to clean and dust. I used to do it for Reed, so I just kept it up.”
That was… Was that normal? Cordy didn’t think so. She couldn’t imagine her mother letting herself into Cordy’s place. Mom preferred to meet somewhere more interesting than an apartment.
“Thanks for keeping the house up; I’m sure it’s in wonderful shape,” Cordy said. And I’ll be changing the locks first thing. “Once the baby is born, I can make a plan to move in. My lawyer will draw up any contracts we need.”
“If you think it necessary.”
“It would be best for the baby.” Cordy set her hands on her belly.
“Yes, the baby.” Mrs. Saxon seemed convinced by that.
Cordy released a sigh. Finally, the issue of Reed’s house was settled. She had a place to stay now, probably for as long as she wanted.
She couldn’t help but look at Chance, laughing his head off at something Quint had said. The way his head tipped back, the broad curve of his smile made her heart hurt. She didn’t want to leave him.
Cordy breathed through the ache because she was being silly. This was the perfect opportunity to get out of his house. Their arrangement had always been temporary. Both of them were temporary kind of people. She knew that.
“I’ve already picked out the perfect room for the nursery,” Mrs. Saxon said. “It’s the front bedroom, airy and big with lots of natural light. And it has blackout curtains, so we can make it nice and dark when baby is sleeping.”
But I already have curtains. They’re yellow.
Cordy’s stomach, at least the part that wasn’t smooshed by the baby, twisted. Images flashed through her mind—Manila, Rabat, Dubrovnik, all places she could be in less than two days. Her almost mother-in-law could never let herself into Cordy’s house if she were that far away.
Cordy didn’t want to be tethered to this woman. Janet Saxon didn’t like her, probably never would, and honestly, Cordy returned the feeling. So why stick around and pretend otherwise? Cordy’s parents never would have. Cordy never had before, either.
But if Cordy left, her baby would never know Pierce, Ruby, Sam, and many, many others Cordy had come to love herself. Cordy wanted that for her kid. And she even wanted the baby to know the Saxons despite it all.
This was what staying would mean: having her friends near to love and support her, but also figuring out how to deal with the Saxons. Making room for the good and the not-so-good, learning how to make them fit side by side in her life.
“It sounds perfect.” Cordy knew the room, and Janet was right—it would make a good nursery. “I can’t wait to move in.”
“Good.” Mrs. Saxon twined her fingers together. Her eyes dampened. “It’s hard thinking of someone else in Reed’s house. But his baby should be there, even if he can’t be.”
Uh-oh. Mrs. Saxon’s face was dropping. Before she could dissolve into grief, Cordy grabbed her arm. The other woman was startled but didn’t pull away.
“You should try the broccoli salad Mrs. Ulker brought,” Cordy said. “I’ve never had anything quite like it. And the cake. You really do have to try the cake.”
Mrs. Saxon made a noise of agreement, her face brightening. Whew, tears averted, thank goodness.
From across the plaza, Chance caught her eye. He asked Cordy a question with a raised brow: Everything okay?
If Cordy indicated it wasn’t, she knew he’d be by her side immediately. He’d pull Mrs. Saxon away and save Cordy from dealing with her. He’d shield Cordy, just as he had with so many things.
She wasn’t alone, not with him around.
Cordy gave him a short nod. Everything’s good. I’m good.
And she was.