Chapter 42
forty-two
GREER
This is the first time I’ve eaten a solo dinner and woken up the next morning alone since Jude came back from Missouri. I know he’s okay. He’s texted to check in on the baby and me. Something’s going on, but if I ask, I’ll only be told it’s club business.
I take it easy getting up, helping myself to the ginger chews Jude’s left on my bedside table before leaving the warmth of my comforter. I piddle around the apartment, both loving and hating Jude’s absence. I’ve gotten used to his constant attention.
I’m on the couch, buried in a book, when I hear a key slide into the front door lock.
Jude’s freshly shaven, his hair washed and combed but not slicked back with gel in its normal style. There are dark shadows under his eyes, and his movements are slower than normal. “Hey, I didn’t hear you pull up.”
“I stopped by Dad’s to pick up my SUV. It’s probably best to keep it here from now on.”
“You changed clothes,” I say as he leans down to kiss my lips.
“I smelled after working all night, so I showered at the compound. Didn’t want to make you nauseous.”
“I’m fine. I do better when I can take my time getting up in the mornings.”
He lifts my tee and kisses the spot below my navel, “Good afternoon, sweet pea. You growing big in there?”
“I got a real meal this morning, so hopefully they’re happy.” There’s a weird vibe coming from Jude. Something’s wrong.
“Take your vitamins?”
“And my aspirin.” To prevent pre-eclampsia. One of the many preventative measures we’re taking during the pregnancy.
He makes a long, tired sigh, then plops down next to me. “My brother-in-law’s remains were found by Wildlife and Fisheries today.”
“What happened?”
“We can’t be sure. The agents were responding to a report of smoke in the area. They found an old shanty on fire, and contaminated the scene left and right, trying to put it out. It looks like Rob was night fishing inside and got trapped in a fire.”
“How’s Willa?”
“She’s in pieces. How do you feel if we take the boys for a couple of nights to take some of the worry off of her?”
“You don’t even have to ask. When do we need to pick them up? Oh beds! They need somewhere to sleep.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
As tired as he is, the only thing Jude needs to do is collapse in bed.
I’ve never met Rob, and from what I’ve heard, he isn’t the best human, but Willa’s been left pregnant and alone with two small kids.
Jude is my family now, which makes Willa and the boys family as well. “Is anyone with your sister?”
“I just left her with Dad. One of her friends has the kids. If you want, I can bring the boys to the clubhouse.”
“No! We’ll make it fun for them here. I got a text inviting us to a cookout for Labor Day. Braxton and Aiden will have a blast running around Odin’s family’s farm.”
He draws in a breath, “If you start not feeling well, I’ll take them to a movie or something.”
“The way we’re going, I’d better get used to dealing with morning sickness with a house full of kids running around. Something tells me it’s only a matter of time.”
With their father aging and the boys so young, Willa’s only family is Jude. Taking Aiden and Braxton for the weekend is the least we can do. It’ll be practice for what’s to come.
Jude calls to arrange for the boys to be dropped off in a few hours, drags me into the bedroom for a cuddle, then knocks out cold.
While sitting next to him, ensuring he stays sound asleep, I place an express order for pickup at a box store in Thibodeaux.
The drive is a pain, but the order will be ready when I get there.
One of the benefits of a large family is that I know how to keep young boys busy. With everything they are going through, I want to bring them a little happiness. I manage to slip out of town and back before Jude calls looking for me.
“You’d better not be lifting anything,” he warns in greeting.
“I didn’t even leave the driver's seat. The employees loaded everything.”
“You’re supposed to be resting while you can,” he growls
“And I’m feeling better for once and want to do this. Get over it.”
When I pull into my parking spot, Jude’s waiting with his arms crossed over his body. He’s not at all amused at the full trunk. “I thought we’d eat at the diner and put them on a pallet in the spare room. You have a baby to grow.”
“Well, we can still eat dinner out. When we’re done, we can have s’mores for dessert.”
He pulls out the kid-sized tent and shakes his head. “You don’t have to go through all this trouble.”
“It’s survival instinct kicking in,” I joke. “Busy kids are easier to handle than bored ones.”
He gives me a long, lingering peck on the lips. “Thank you.”
“I know the boys are too young to really understand what’s going on, but a little break from it all will help.”
There are still dark circles under his eyes, and he’s only slept for an hour or two. I run my thumb across his cheek. “I’m worried about you, too.”
He takes my hand and kisses my palm. “I’m fine. Just worn down.”
“When will the boys be here?”
“In about an hour.”
“Good, I have some time to work.” I grab the lighter plastic bags and saunter inside.
Jude and I work together to blow up the air mattress, place it inside the tent, and cover it with a sheet.
Thank goodness Jude talks about the boys so much.
It’s made it easier to personalize things for them.
Braxton gets a cartoon character plushie and Aiden a dinosaur.
They both get a cozy new blanket and a pillow.
I complete both sides with a plastic bowl overflowing with pretzels, popcorn, and applesauce pouches.
It’s awkward to ask for food in a new environment, and growing children eat constantly.
They’re going to spill, and Hank is going to love it.
I’ll just give him extra insulin to cover the stolen snacks.
For a moment, my mind drifts off to a baby with Jude’s dark hair in a high chair, and Hank waiting patiently underneath for his friend to share.
Maybe it’s pregnancy hormones or the emotions of the day, but my eyes start to well up with tears.
I wipe them away with a tissue before Jude notices, and get back to work, making things ready for the boys.
Waking up from his third nap of the day, Hank trots over to inspect our handiwork. He gives me an excited look, starts snorting, and plops down, making his claim. “You gotta share with your cousins,” Jude informs him.
Hank dozes off, already snoring, oblivious to Jude’s warning.
“Willa’s friend is en route with the boys. They just came from the trampoline park,” Jude warns.
Which means there’s no telling what’s in store. They’ll either be amped up or tired and melting down.
I scurry into the kitchen, busying myself to throw together even more food for the kids.
Jude comes up behind me and inspects the brightly colored tumblers I’ve left to dry on the dish drain. “I think you bought out the store.”
“I want them to be comfortable here. Besides, they’re spill proof and have silicone straws, so they don’t poke their eyes out running with them.”
He draws in a deep breath, then fingers a wicker basket I’ve still got to organize.
A scented candle rests beside it, along with bath bombs and a nice box of chocolates.
There are more goodies in a bag nearby, but I’m not sure how much will fit.
“I thought we could send it with Willa’s friend when she drops off the kids? ”
Jude wipes his palm down his chin. “You thought of everybody and everything.”
“Except your dad. I wasn’t sure what to do for him.”
“All he ever wants is for the redfish to bite.”
Jude pulls me under his chin, then rubs my back.
“Every single day you show me just how lucky I am.”
“Says the woman who was pouting that she had to get her own coffee this morning.”
Jude’s lips press on my forehead. “I’m taking the boys across the street when they get here, and you are going to sit down and not move.”
“But I want to finish—”
Suddenly, I’m swept off my feet, hanging upside down over Jude’s shoulder. I bounce as my body hits the mattress. “Changed my mind. You’re resting now. I’ll go empty the rest of the bags, and you are not leaving this bed until they get here.”
“No deal. I’m not lying down unless you do.”
His voice is exhausted when he moves to pull off his shirt. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“It’s my job to take care of you, too.”
“I love you like crazy,” he pronounces. “Can’t draw air into my lungs, the world has no color without you, type of crazy ass love. You know that?”
“I love you too. I just want to be a woman worthy of a man like you. I don’t know what I would do if I were in Willa’s shoes.”
“I’ve waited thirty years to find you. If the devil tries to take me, I’ll claw my way from hell to come home. Nobody and nothing can ever keep me from our family.”