Birdie #2
“She needs to be in the shade, Mom,” Beau instructed. “Did you know she’s still too little for sunscreen? I had no idea you weren’t supposed to use it on them if they’re under six months old. I got a little sun hat for her inside, but it’s better for her to just be in the shade so she stays cool.”
“Son. How on Earth do you think I kept all of you kids alive? I know what I’m doing, I promise.”
“She’s just so little,” he said, the concern still so prominent in his voice.
“I know, and I know how precious she is. She’s in good hands.
I’ll just run inside and grab the sun hat before we go, and your dad can order one online so we can just keep one at our house for the future.
I’m heading out the back door though, so…
” Dolly dipped Juniper towards Beau, who pressed a kiss to her forehead, before guiding her over to me.
I stood, holding my hands out, and Dolly didn’t hesitate to give me exactly what I wanted. Juniper’s weight rested against my heart, and suddenly everything else felt manageable again. I loved this little girl so completely.
Her eyes found mine, and I reached up with the arm that wasn’t supporting her to boop her nose.
My head dropped so my lips could rest against her head.
Her peach fuzz hair tickled my skin, but it was a feeling I’d treasure for as long as it lived in my memories.
“You be good for Grammy, okay? Daddy and I will come get you after you’ve had plenty of time to soak up her love. ”
I let Dolly take Juniper back, watching as they walked through the front door toward the back of the house before I sat back down next to Beau. He stretched his arm behind my back, his hand pressing against my right shoulder as he pulled me against his chest.
“Tell me what happened,” he said, his mouth pressed against the crown of my head.
I took a shaky breath and let the scent of his cologne calm my aching heart. His warmth wrapped around me, his size sheltering me. And the way his heart beat, calm and steady in his chest, reminded me that this man would always ground me and keep me safe, no matter who or what I was up against.
“I spoke to my mom. I know it was dumb, expecting her to care. But I just needed her to. For once, I needed her to hear that I was hurt…that I am hurting…and want to comfort me.”
“She’s the worst excuse for a mom.”
“Beau…”
“No. Don’t do that. Don’t come to her defense; she doesn’t deserve that. Not after all these years. She had you and Lainey, then backed out from the biggest responsibility in the world, leaving you to raise your sister so she could be self-serving. Is this it? Are you done with her?”
I nodded, unable to say the words. “I need to call my sister.”
His hand tightened on mine. “Do you think that’s a good idea right now? Lainey isn’t the most sensitive person…”
“It’ll be fine. She’s been done with our mom for a while. If anything, I think it’ll help. Besides, I wanted to see if I could help in a different way with her business. I have a little money set aside, I was thinking maybe she would be willing to drop some meals off at the ranch.”
“For us?”
“Maybe? It might be nice to have a meal or two a week, but I was also thinking of Lachlan. He’s stuck talking to all of us and never getting a reprieve. Maybe Lainey could get under his skin a little…push him in a way we can’t.”
“Oh, she definitely could. Lach isn’t her biggest fan, though.”
“But if she brought him out some homemade chicken alfredo, garlic bread…some chocolate breakfast muffins?”
“Yeah, he’d probably have to at least open the door to say hi.” Beau chuckled. “I love the way your mind works. Are you going to tell her what happened? At your house?”
My heart tumbled in my chest. If the guy who attacked me wasn’t random, he could know I have a sister. “Oh God, Beau. I didn’t even think…”
His brows pulled together. “What?”
“If the guy knows me…would he do something to Lainey?”
“Shit. Yeah, you better call her. Tell Greg to get off his lazy ass and actually keep an eye out for anything off.”
I nodded. “Would you mind…” My eyes drifted to the door.
“You want me to go inside?”
“I’m a little hungry.”
His mouth twitched. “Well, we can’t have that, can we? My girl’s hungry? Then she needs to eat. I’ll cook you up something before I head out to check on the guys. That sound okay?” Beau stood, leaning in for a kiss.
I closed the distance swiftly, then said, “That sounds perfect. Thank you.” As soon as the door shut, I swiped through my phone to bring up Lainey’s number.
It rang three times before my sister finally picked up the phone. “What do you want, Birdie?”
Perfect. I held my breath, reminding myself I was calling her to help. Clearly, she was feeling stressed, and I was her safe place. That’s why she spoke like that to me. I’d make it better. Whatever was bothering her, I’d make it okay. “Good morning to you, too. Everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she sighed. “Greg and I are just disagreeing about something. Not a big deal. Why are you calling?”
Greg. I disliked him when Lainey was in high school—the first time they dated—and he turned out to be a huge ass. When they got back together a few years ago…No. I wasn’t happy. And Lainey wasn’t thrilled when I expressed my opinion on the matter, so now, I just kept my mouth shut.
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try to keep everything between us good. I would always be a safe place for her. “I just got off the phone with Mom, and—“
“Oh my God! Birdie! You didn’t tell her I’m pregnant, did you?!”
“No, no. We didn’t talk about you. I just…I needed to hear her voice. I was hurt—”
“Let me guess, her soul searching in Napa Valley didn’t net a millionaire, so she’s on some breath work retreat in the redwood forest now?”
I cringed. Lainey wasn’t far off. “She’s at a sweat lodge in Arizona. You’re right, she didn’t meet Mr. Right in Napa, but apparently she did meet Mr. Fit and Fancy out in the desert.”
“Good. I’m happy for her. Maybe she’ll finally disown us and leave us the hell alone.”
“Lain.”
“Is that all you wanted to tell me? I’m trying to get out the door…”
“Actually, there are a couple things I wanted to say.” I waited for my heart to quit racing, but there was something deep inside that said I just needed to continue, so I did.
“I’m done with Mom. She’s hurt us both a lot in our lives, and I’ve always tried to keep us all together, but I just…
I can’t anymore. If she calls you, just don’t be surprised if she tries to get money from you. ”
“Like I’d ever give that woman anything? Why do you think you’re the only daughter she calls, Birdie? I’ve seen through her bullshit for years. Glad you are finally seeing it too. So, we’re good.”
“Okay. Beyond Mom, I didn’t like how we left things the other day. I’m so excited for you, and this pregnancy. I didn’t even get to ask, who you are seeing for prenatal care? Is it Clarence County OBGYN?”
“No. Greg and I found a practice in Dallas. They’re more boutique and he feels better about the baby not being born at a small town hospital. He was worried there might be some conflict of interest, too…”
In other words: he was worried I would end up handling her care.
“Oh, well that’s okay. Driving into Dallas is going to be a little hectic when you’re in labor, but if that’s what you both want.”
“See,” she sighed, “this is exactly why I don’t tell you things. Because now you’re judging us. It’s the best choice for what our family wants, Birdie. Leave it alone.”
My jaw muscles tightened as I closed my eyes. “I want what’s best for you, Lane, I always have. If Dallas is the right place for you, then I can’t wait for the baby to be born so I can drive out and meet them.”
Her tongue clicked, and I could picture her standing in front of me, six-years-old with a gap in her teeth, hand on her hip as she scolded me for not making her heart pancakes with enough chocolate chips.
“We aren’t going to have visitors at the hospital, just me and Greg.
And his mom will be there when the baby’s born. ”
My throat ached as I swallowed through the tight pull of emotions. His mom got to be there. His mom got to support her. Not me.
“Well, that will be nice for you, if that’s what you want. I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew, whenever you’re ready for me to. Is Greg’s mom taking care of the baby shower, too?”
“Yeah, she’s really excited about it.”
“Maybe you can send her my contact information. I’d love to help out however I can.”
“I’ll ask. I think his aunts are helping, so I’m sure she’s got everything covered.”
“Okay.”
I didn’t know what to say after that. I was being cut from her life. It wasn’t subtle. And I knew she was hoping I’d take the hint.
“Should we say goodbye, or…”
Shit. Lachlan and the meals.
“Oh, yes, we can, but before that, I wanted to talk to you about Lainey’s Kitchen. I am so excited that you are taking this step, and I was thinking of ways to help—”
“You’ve already helped, the investment money is all I need. I am actually capable of doing something on my own. It’s not a big deal.”
“Starting a business is a very big deal. But look, it’s not me helping with the business plan or trying to step in with advice. Beau’s family has been trying to figure out little ways to help Lachlan, and I thought maybe bringing out meals twice a week would be a good place to start.”
“You want me to bring him out meals? Dolly literally runs the only other good place to eat in town. No. That’s like fueling your enemy. Corporate espionage or something like that.”
I laughed. “I don’t think it’s that serious. Look, I could tell him you’ll be stopping out maybe on Tuesdays and Thursdays to drop off some stuff? Maybe a dinner and a freezer meal? How much would that set me back?”
“I don’t know off the top of my head, but I can run the numbers and get back to you.”
“Perfect.”