44. Wren
WREN
The next day, I get a text from Elena: Can you meet us in town for pie in thirty minutes? Kira’s already on her way.
It’s mid-afternoon, and pie sounds perfect. Visiting with my two new Moon Ridge friends sounds even better. Both women have called me since the operation, but this will be the first time I’m seeing them in person since that day.
Boone insists on driving me, arguing that he’s bored because I won’t let him chop firewood. I start to tell him I don’t need a babysitter, but then I think about how good it feels to have his hand resting on my leg while he drives, and I agree.
“Take your time,” he tells me when he drops me off in front of the restaurant. “I’ll go see what’s new at the store.”
The restaurant isn’t busy this time of day. There are a couple of tables of retirees and a pair of hikers in a booth along the wall.
Elena waves at me from the same table where I’d sat with them before. “We ordered coffee for you,” she says when I reach them.
“We didn’t know which pie you preferred,” Kira says. “And they have peach today.”
“Ooh, I’ll go for that one.”
The waitress arrives with a cup of coffee for me, and I add my pie order to theirs.
I ask about Felicity and T.J., and find out the children are with the men today.
Despite it being summer break, Elena tells me she’s been busy with work, trying to recover from events that happened earlier in the year at the school building.
Kira tells me she’s been busy trying to rein in the childproofing operation that’s going on at her house.
“Lissy probably won’t be crawling for a couple of months, but they already have the compound locked down like a fortress,” she says with a laugh.
“I mean, it was already a safe place, but now every electrical outlet has been covered, every hard corner has been padded with foam, and opening a toilet lid is now a two-step process.”
“I suppose you should be grateful they haven’t wrapped Felicity in foam padding,” Elena says.
“The first time she skins her knee, they’ll probably propose that during one of their meetings,” Kira says with a very fond laugh.
Gradually, as we enjoy our pie, conversation turns to the recent events at the cabin.
“I got updates about Harlan Turner from Atlas,” Kira says, “and of course, you told me you were okay when we talked on the phone, but how are you really?”
I sit with the question for a few seconds as I take a sip of coffee, then I say, “I won’t say I’m over all of it. I don’t know how long it’ll be before shadows on trees stop spooking me, but overall, I’m good. Really good.”
Both women are looking at me too closely.
“We know that kind of good,” Kira says, arching an eyebrow.
“How are things going with those Wilder brothers?” Elena asks, but Kira nudges her with her elbow.
“Those Wilder brothers are the reason for that smile on her face,” Kira says.
The three of us laugh for a moment, and then I tell them the good news about my new job position, but they’re not surprised.
“Atlas told me that, too,” Kira says. “Apparently Rhett’s pretty excited. He might be arranging for a billboard out by the highway to tell the whole county.”
I smirk. “Nah, he’s too private to do something like that.”
“He wants to keep Wren all to himself,” Elena says. “Well, not all to himself. You know what I mean.”
The three of us laugh again, and it seems like we don’t stop for at least twenty minutes.
“It’s good to be with women who understand,” I tell them. “I never imagined myself being in such an unconventional relationship.”
“You never know what life will bring your way,” Elena says with a happy shrug.
“There might not be a lot of women who understand,” Kira says, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “But the ones who do become family.”
Elena adds her hand above Kira’s. “They sure do.” The three of us share warm smiles, then Elena says, “Speaking of family … there’s a reason I wanted to see you both today.”
“Pie isn’t enough of a reason on its own?” Kira says.
“It definitely is,” Elena says, “but I also have something to tell you.”
Her expression gives it away before she makes her announcement. The glow in her cheeks is another clue.
“I’m pregnant!”
Kira and I both jump up to hug Elena and give her our congratulations.
“I just told Buck, Weston, and Calder two days ago,” she says. “And I told T.J.”
“Aww, he’s going to be a big brother,” Kira says. “Is he excited?”
“He is.” Elena’s radiating happiness now. “He asked how old the baby will need to be before they can play with LEGO with him.”
I give her another hug. “That’s so exciting.”
Elena wipes away the happy tears that are leaking from her eyes. “I wanted you two to know before the rest of the town does.”
The three of us look around then, and aside from the pair of hikers, everyone else is looking at Elena with smiles on their faces.
“I think you got it all accomplished at once,” Kira says. “Word of mouth will spread the news faster than Rhett’s billboard.”
“Oops.” Elena looks at her watch. “I’d better call the superintendent, so she’ll hear it from me first.”
“You’d better hurry, then,” Kira says, catching my eye. “And if you need anything, let us know. Your baby already has two honorary aunts standing by.”
“That’s right,” I say. “And at least half a dozen honorary uncles.”
Kira groans and puts her head in her hands. “Oh no. My guys are going to want to share their babyproofing checklist with your guys.”
By the time we leave, my cheeks are actually sore from laughing and smiling so much.
The three of us walk out together into the warm afternoon, just as three men cross the street toward the bakery. Sunlight catches the silver of one man’s beard, but the more notable thing is that two of the men are wearing cowboy hats. All three are in faded jeans and dusty cowboy boots.
The tallest one holds the bakery door open while the other two step inside ahead of him.
“Like clockwork,” Kira says with a giggle after all three disappear into the shop.
“I heard they’re always there in the morning, though,” Elena says.
“Who are they?” I ask.
“The three of them run a ranch west of town,” Kira says. “They’re former military, too.”
“Let me guess,” I say. “Atlas knows all about them.”
“Silas is the one who knows about everyone,” Kira says. “Atlas is the one who shares the information with others on a need-to-know basis, or when I can manage to get him chatting over coffee.”
“Those men come into town every day?” I ask. “They must really have a sweet tooth.”
“Or they’re just sweet on the baker,” Kira says.
“Whatever the reason, I hope it’s something good,” Elena says. “From what I hear, she’s had a rough stretch these past few years.”
“The baker?” I look at the cheerful storefront with fresh eyes. “What happened?”
Elena shakes her head gently. “That’s her story to tell.”
Kira’s smiling as she slips her sunglasses on. “Or maybe you can get Atlas to spill the tea over a cup of coffee.”
Across the street, an older woman comes out of the bakery, and the sound of laughter spills out from inside while the door is open. All three of the ranchers are at the counter, talking to a pretty red-haired woman.
Elena catches my eye. “I have a feeling Moon Ridge isn’t done surprising us.”