Chapter Twenty – Lilibeth
Lilibeth
The way all three siblings were looking at each other, I knew they knew.
Caden looked at me with an apologetic expression. “They know. Ensley guessed.”
“And he told me last night,” Gatlin said smugly, pointing at Caden. When I gave him a look, he gave me an apologetic grin.
I slid onto my stool with a sigh. “You’d have found out soon anyway, when I moved in here.”
Gatlin made a sound that I could only describe as a girlish gasp.
“Wait, you’re moving in with Caden?” Ensley asked.
Gatlin grabbed his beer. “This is like a movie playing out right before my eyes.”
“Have you told Mom and Dad?”
“Yes, last night.”
Ensley leaned forward. “How did they take it?”
“They were both happy and supportive.”
All eyes went to me. “Mine were supportive, but they want to buy me a house and don’t think I should move in with Caden.”
“Why not? You’re both grown adults, and you’re having a baby together. Makes sense that Caden would want you here.”
“And not in that tiny apartment of yours,” Ensley added. “When are you moving in?”
Caden and I exchanged a look before he cleared his throat and answered. “We haven’t really talked about it. I mean, we have, just not in detail.”
“Oh shit. Is that what we crashed in on?” Gatlin asked.
“Yes,” Caden replied bluntly.
Ensley stood. “Come on, Gatlin. It’s time to go.”
His mouth fell open. “What? Why do we have to leave?”
“Caden and Lilibeth have things to discuss.”
“So? It’s not like it’s a secret anymore.”
I held up my finger. “About that. We weren’t going to tell anyone for a few more weeks, but I guess family will wonder why I’m moving in, so we should probably let the rest of your family know.”
“I’ll tell them!” Gatlin volunteered, before shoving nearly a whole slice of pizza into his mouth.
“No, you won’t,” Caden said, as he stood and walked with Ensley and Gatlin to the door. “Next time, ring the damn doorbell, will you?”
Ensley drew me into her arms before she put her coat on. When she took a step back, she wore a worried look. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, I replied, “Just bouts of morning sickness.”
She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. “That’s not what I meant.”
My eyes shot to Caden, who was now arguing with Gatlin about something.
When I looked back at her, I tried my best to give her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. It’s a shock, but I’m fine.”
“Let’s plan a girls’ night. Just me, you, and Emeline.”
“That would honestly be so lovely. Just no bacon anywhere in sight. Or pizza and ranch dressing!”
She hugged me again. “Leave it to me. I’ll plan it. And when you move, let me know. I’ll help.”
“I don’t have much to bring, since Caden has everything.”
Glancing around the living room, she nodded. “That’s true.
She hugged me once more, then hugged Caden before following Gatlin out.
Caden shut the door and exhaled. “So much for not telling people.”
I smiled. “It’s just family. I’m sure everything will be okay.”
He nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at me, and his brows drew down some. “You look tired.”
“I didn’t sleep very well last night.”
Caden walked to a bench against the living room wall, opened it, and took out a blanket. Then he made his way over to the sofa and set the blanket down. He grabbed the remote and turned it on.
“Lie down for a bit while I clean up the kitchen.”
I started for the kitchen instead. “Nonsense, I’ll help.”
Taking my wrist, he pulled me to a stop. “Please lie down, Lilibeth.”
I suddenly felt bone-weary tired. The idea of a short nap did sound heavenly. I nodded and sat down on the sofa. I picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels as Caden headed back to the kitchen.
“Oh my gosh! The Sound of Music is on!”
The sound of Caden groaning made me chuckle as I snuggled on the sofa under the blanket. It wasn’t long before my eyes felt heavy and I slowly drifted off to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, after what felt like an hours-long nap, I saw Caden sitting on the sofa, my legs over his lap, his head resting against the cushion.
He was sleeping, and the TV was now playing another movie.
I hadn’t even made it to the part of the movie where Maria’s meeting with the kids before falling asleep, apparently.
Caden looked handsome even with his head back and his mouth open as he slept. Smiling, I knew I should wake him up and make my way back to my place, but I was so comfortable, and that nap had been the best sleep I’d had in weeks. So instead, I closed my eyes again…
The next time I opened them, I was sleeping in a bed.
I glanced around and realized it was one of Caden’s guest rooms. The same one I’d woken up in back in November. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but judging from the sun coming through the blinds, it was morning. I didn’t need to be at the store until noon, so I wasn’t worried that I’d overslept.
I pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Lifting my arms over my head, I stretched and drew in a deep breath, then exhaled. This was the first time in days I hadn’t felt sick upon waking up.
That all changed the second I stood, though.
“Shit!” I mumbled, quickly running to the attached bathroom. I hit the floor and, instead of dry heaves, I threw up. In fact, I threw up so much, I was sure my stomach muscles would be sore for days.
Feeling Caden before he even said anything, I glanced over my shoulder. He gave me a soft smile, then got down next to me. He handed me a warm washcloth and gently rubbed my back.
“You okay?”
Nodding, I replied, “Yeah.”
“I’m so sorry, Lili. I hate to see you not feeling well.”
I leaned against his shoulder, feeling utterly drained. Only moments earlier, I felt like I’d slept for days. I was refreshed and ready to start my morning. It was crazy how fast the sickness could hit.
“Do you think you can eat anything?” Caden asked.
My eyes closed as I let out a low moan. “Crackers?”
He chuckled as he stood. “I’m going to invest in saltine crackers.”
Reaching down, he picked me up and carried me back to the bed.
“I’m okay to walk, Caden.”
“Just hush and let me put you back to bed, then go get something for your stomach.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have peppermints, would you? To put in water?”
He wore a perplexed expression for a moment. “Oh, that’s right, you said Mrs. Harper made you some.”
I nodded. “Honestly, I can get up.”
He held up a hand. “Just stay in bed. You told me last night when I moved you in here that you didn’t have to be at the store until noon. You’ve got plenty of time.”
“I don’t even remember you moving me.”
“You were sleeping soundly. You only woke up for a minute or two.”
“I haven’t been sleeping that great.”
Caden frowned. “You need to make sure you get enough sleep, Lili. You’re growing our baby.”
The way my heart skipped in my chest at his words. Our baby.
Why was life so unfair? I was going to be a part of Caden’s world for…well, for the rest of my life. I was going to have to get a handle on my feelings for him as soon as possible.
I forced a casual smile. Caden winked and quickly left the room. I dropped back onto the bed and looked at the side tables. My phone was plugged in and sitting there. How was this guy the most perfect man in the world, yet because of one stupid woman, he’d walled up his heart?
When I opened my phone, I stared at the time. It was nine thirty. How had I slept for so long?
Caden appeared again, this time carrying a tray. I sat up and leaned against the headboard after adjusting my pillow.
“What is all of this?” I asked, as he set the tray over my lap.
“The day of your appointment, I googled what foods help with morning sickness. This is what I found.”
I glanced down at the tray, my eyes widening. There were bananas, applesauce, plain toast, peanut butter toast, cucumbers, watermelon, an orange, slices of avocado, a hard-boiled egg, and crackers.
“Caden…I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I figured I’d bring you a sample of each and you could decide which one helps the most. I’ll ask Mrs. Harper about the peppermint.”
I picked up a piece of orange he’d peeled and arranged in slices on a small plate.
“Yeah, I was surprised by the orange, but it said citrus fruits.”
I popped the slice into my mouth and closed my eyes. It was so good. “Did you fly this in straight from Florida?”
He laughed. “My grandmother has a huge greenhouse, and she grows oranges, lemons, and limes all year long.”
“Are you serious? I didn’t know Nellie had a greenhouse.”
“I’m surprised she never told you.”
“Well, if I’m being honest, I don’t think we’ve ever talked about gardening. I’d love to, though. That’s a dream of mine.”
“To grow orange trees?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, to have a garden. I want a huge garden, one that has a table and chairs so that if I want, I can read in the middle of my garden.”
He smiled, and I loved how it made the corners of his eyes crinkle. “You want a garden, huh?”
I nodded as I took a bite of a cracker. “Someday. When I get my own place. I’m hoping to grow flowers, as well, that I can use in the perfumery. I can mix the flowers with my veggies and fruits.”
“I’ll definitely have to show you my grandmother’s greenhouse then. You’d love it.”
Glancing down at the tray, my stomach lurched when I focused on the boiled egg. And it was as if Caden could read my mind. He took the bowl of crackers and handed it to me, then whisked the tray away.
“I’ll get you some water. I might have ginger ale if you think that would help.”
Staring at him, I couldn’t help but wonder where the jerk of a cowboy I’d met last year had gone.
This man was so completely different. Yes, I’d gotten a taste of his softer side during the storm, but this nurturing side of him was dangerous.
This side, I could fall head over heels in love with even faster than any other part of Caden I’d met so far.