by Zoe Dawson
“Pretty damned amazing. No surprise she aced her MCATs, and I’m sure she’s a shoo-in for a slot at Tulane’s School of Medicine.”
I swiped on some lipstick and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail. Ready to go. I settled into my car to follow Verity on the short drive over to Imogene’s.
We were greeted by heavenly smells and Samantha’s “Hey, ladies.” Samantha Wharton was behind the counter, looking fresh and pretty in a floral dress with her dark hair pulled back. Samantha, a young, pretty yank from New York City, ran the place. She’d taken over Imogene’s after it fell into disrepair, and she had revitalized the eatery into a showplace.
Aubree was already waiting for us, looking gorgeous in summer white eyelet. Verity had made her maternity clothes, and this little dress with a ruffled hem was divine.
She half rose from her seat to give me a hug, then Verity. “Hi, guys.”
We settled in, and a waitress came with menus. We all ordered pancakes, and I asked for fruit on the side instead of the bacon, damn my hips.
“Have you and Boone decided on names for the twins?” Aubree said, sipping her juice.
“Yes. We’ve picked out four names. Two boy names, Morgan and Sawyer and—fingers crossed—two girls, Payton and Nola.”
“You’re rooting for girls?”
“Yes. Ma told me most of the Outlaw offspring have been boys, so I’m not sure what will happen. It wasn’t exactly a surprise that you’re carrying multiples because of the insemination, but it’s still Boone’s genes.”
Aubree smiled. “It’s soon. I had no idea how I would feel being pregnant, but so far it’s been amazing.”
Verity nodded and Aubree gasped and grabbed her hand. “They’re kicking. It’s constant now.”
Verity’s eyes lit up as Aubree pressed her palm to her stomach. “It’s a miracle. Thank you so, so much, Aubree. And, excuse me, but I plan to keep saying that every chance I get, so you’ll just have to smile and be a gracious receiver.”
They stared at each other for a moment, saying much more than words ever could.
Verity sat back and reached into her purse, bringing out a sketchpad. “I’ve been working on this on and off for about six months. What do you think, River?”
I took the pad she handed me and there it was again, in less than a day.
“If you don’t like it. Just tell me. I can rework it.”
Verity had a way of capturing the very essence of us. The dress she’d made for Aubree’s momma, and then Aubree, suited each of them to a T, and this sketch was totally me, from the hand-beaded bodice to the soft tulle skirt.
I couldn’t say anything—not because the dress wasn’t exquisite, because it wasbut tension buzzed through me, washing me with discontent. Trying not to give anything away, I looked up, pasting a smile on my face. “Is this sheer?”
“Yes, from the breasts to the shoulders. It should look like the beads are floating and it’s strapless, but it’s not.”
“It’s gorgeous, Verity, but there’s one small problem. He hasn’t asked me.”
She smiled softly. “He will. It’s been two years.”
Aubree kicked her under the table, and she bit her lip. “I mean. He will ask you.”
“Did Boone tell you, or Booker?”
Both of them shook their heads.
“There’s a rumor that he was looking at rings.”
Aubree kicked Verity again and gave her a chastising look.
“Yeah, Becky Howe told me that rumor too, only she got it firsthand from Lurlene over at Jackson’s Jewelers.” I looked down at the sketch again. “She also said he didn’t buy one.”
“Not here.” Verity hastened to fix it. “Suttontowne doesn’t have the kind of choices he’d find in Lafayette or New Orleans. He probably bought it somewhere else. The ring has to be right, and you’re River Pearl Sutton, so…”
Aubree slapped her hand to her forehead.
“I don’t care about the ring, Verity. I love Brax. I care about him, not trappings.” A big wedding wouldn’t sit right with Braxton. I was sure of it. Could that be it? He was scared of our wedding turning into a three-ring circus.
Verity opened her mouth and Aubree set her hand on her arm. “Of course you do, honey. Verity’s just saying there’s expectations, you know, because of your family.” She shot Verity a quelling look, and Verity looked totally chagrined. “They will be planning a huge wedding. Am I wrong?”
I sighed, knowing my momma. “No, you’re not wrong.”
“Geez, River Pearl. I wasn’t trying to make it sound like you don’t love Braxton. I just wanted your dress to be unique and special.”
I smiled at her, because I didn’t want her to feel bad about blurting out the gossip and speculation. Our pancakes came, and I set the pad aside. Once the waitress left, my stomach protested, and I cut and took a mouthful of delicious syrupy goodness.
Then I bolted for the bathroom and emptied my stomach. Feeling shaky and weak, I came out of the stall and both of them were standing there. “I’m fine. I’ll follow Braxton’s lead.” Even as the words came out of my mouth, I wondered if I was slipping back into my old habit of being what others wanted.
“Fine, as in you threw up. I’m sorry I upset you. Forget about the dress.”
“Don’t you dare trash that exquisite design, Verity Outlaw! I want it!” I said fiercely, then rinsed out my mouth in the sink and wished I could forget the whole thing.
She and Becky were right. It had been two years, and Braxton hadn’t popped the question.
Now I couldn’t stop wondering.
Why?
I couldn’t finish breakfast, but I enjoyed their company anyway. We talked mostly about the festival and Verity’s baby shower.
As I was leaving, Aubree put her hand on my arm. “Don’t let this eat away at you, River. Just have the discussion with Braxton. It’s not worth driving yourself crazy. Believe me, I know all about it.”
That was so smart. That’s what I would do. Asking him about the rumor was a perfect segue into a discussion about marriage and what was going on with him.
I, on the other hand, wanted to marry him two years ago, and still did.
I hugged Aubree and Verity before I got into my car and started it up. But before I could pull out of the parking lot behind Verity and Aubree, my cell rang.
“Hello.”
“Verity, it’s Doc Rust. Can you come over to my office?”
His voice sounded grave and serious, and my queasy stomach jumped. “Are my tests back?”
“Yes. I need to examine you.”
My heart climbed into my throat. Not my health. That was so damn scary. “Oh, God. Why? Is it cancer or ulcer?”
“No,” he said gruffly. “It’s a temporary condition, relatively speaking. Something much more miraculous…you’re pregnant, my dear.”
Chapter Two
BRAXTON
“Shoot, boy.” Jake said as he bent over me, his face contrite. “You zigged when I zagged and I clocked you. River’s going to kill me.”
I looked up at Jake, my head still swimming. “Son, you pack a wallop. And we’re both dead men. She’s going to kick ass and take names later.”
He knelt down and touched my temple. “You might need stitches.”
The cut stung like a son of a bitch. I pushed up and growled, “Dammit, Sutton, get off me.” This sparring was a good cover for what Jake and I were really doing. I was teaching him how to cook and, at this point in the process, he didn’t want anyone to know. His daddy wouldn’t be happy when he found out because four years of Harvard was expensive. I told him he had to do what was best for him. Most of the time, he kept his own thoughts to himself about his daddy and his brother. I thought that was unhealthy, but until a person was ready to change, talking would be a waste of breath.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” drawled a voice with male amusement. “Are we interrupting? We can come back later.”
I squinted past Jake’s huge arms
and chest and saw my brothers standing at the door, smirking. Ought-o. Both of them at the same time. It was late morning, and I knew Booker was trying to finish the next novel in his historical series based on our family, and Boone had to work.
As soon as Jake moved and Booker saw the blood running down my face, he shook his head and looked at Jake. “You and Brax like it rough, huh?”
Jake backed off me, and I chuckled. “You’re killing me, huckleberry.”
“I’d better go,” Jake said quietly.
“Yeah,” Boone quipped, fist-bumping with Jake as he passed. “Before River gets here and gives you a bare-knuckle beatdown for damaging her bootiful man. That girl has a mean left hook.”
Booker threw back his head and laughed while Boone offered me his hand. I took it and yanked him down to the floor and got him into a headlock.
Jake took off his gloves and packed up his bag. “It’s what I heard. You guys are rubbing off on her. I better warn Momma and Daddy their beauty is turning into a beast.”
“You’re soooo funny,” I said, not in the mood. I was still jacked up for River and disgruntled that she hadn’t been in bed this morning. I got out of sorts these days when I didn’t have my cuddle time with her. Plus, I wondered what had driven her out of bed so early this morning. She hadn’t touched the painting she was working on, so it hadn’t been for the early morning light.
My gut clenched. Was it possible she’d heard the rumors that were now all over town? It was my own fault for looking at rings in Suttontowne. Did she know?
“He is,” Booker said as he slapped Jake with a high five as he passed. “Let him go and make us some blueberry pancakes.”
“Don’t you guys ever eat at home?” I groused.
“Why? We can get you to make those pancakes. No offense to Aubree, but, c’mon.”
“Yeah,” Boone said as I let him go and he got to his knees, only to fall back down when I shoved his shoulder.
Booker helped him up, the do-gooder. I snagged a towel off the abs machine and wiped my face. “You guys didn’t come here for pancakes.”
“Damn, our tripdar is a pain in all our asses. It’s not like we always want to get into your business, but what the hell is going on?”
“Not a damn thing.” That was the truth, because I was clueless about how to solve my problem. Here it was, two years after I’d told River I loved her and couldn’t live without her. In female years, that was pretty much the cutoff. I would never think our relationship had an expiration date, but I was feeling pressured and stressed about the whole damn thing. There were more than enough expectations to go around. Even my brothers were here to prod me. Ask me questions I couldn’t answer.
I turned to go, but Booker grabbed my shoulder. “Brax, wait a second.”
Boone folded his arms over his chest and studied me. I hated it when he did that. When Boone wasn’t talking, he was getting ready for all that touchy/feely crap.
Booker, on the other hand, was letting his brain go wild. “So, the rumors are true, and the tripdar went off for a reason. You didn’t buy her a ring. When are you going to propose to her?”
“Fuck!” I backed up, my gut clenching hard. Between this small town gossip shit and my brothers, it was hard to keep anything a secret. I shouldn’t have gone into that store.
“Brax, it’s been two years—”
“Booker. Be quiet for a second.”
“Oh, here it comes.”
Boone unfolded his arms and walked up to me and punched me right in the face. I staggered backwards and landed on my ass on the mat.
“Boone, what the hell…” Booker said.
I expected he was as shocked as I was. But I didn’t hear the rest of what Booker said. I was up and rammed into Boone, and it was so on!
“You bushwacker!” I gritted out through clenched teeth, tasting my own blood and wanting to spill his. He ducked and fended me off, and I couldn’t seem to land a punch to save my life. Then Booker started up, and I whirled and punched him, then the three of us were at it again.
Several black eyes, split lips, and bruised cheekbones later, we were panting. “You got that out of your system now, Brax?” Boone said.
“Screw you!” I said and spit blood at his feet.
Boone was relentless, and his look wouldn’t let me rest. I felt as if I’d been in a feverish turmoil for more than a year. Why was this so hard for me? I wanted to make a commitment to her. I loved her, and I didn’t want to wake up and discover that while I was dicking around I’d lost her.
“Why haven’t you bought her a ring? We know you would have died in the bayou that day she was attacked if something had happened to her.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, then closed my eyes…because it was true. Boone had punched me in the face so I could get my frustration out. Take it out on them. I opened my eyes and my shoulders slumped. My face contorted as my voice broke. “I don’t know.”
Booker dabbed at his lip. “Damn, these family discussions are murder. What if we turn over a new leaf and start using our words?”
Boone shrugged. “Brax has responded to brute force just fine. It was faster than listening to him talk shit.”
“I did want pancakes. But, gee, thanks for the fat lip. Can I get butter and syrup with that?”
Boone laughed and I growled. Even when I hated the bastards, I loved my damn brothers. I left the room and went to the bathroom to take stock of my face. It wasn’t too bad. Boone really hadn’t hit me that hard, but the gash on my temple was messy. “Can I take a shower in peace?”
There was no rest for the wicked, because my brothers filled the doorway. Neither one of them budged, so I stripped down, turned on the water and got into the shower. They were still there when I got out and dried off. Back in my room, I got dressed, ignoring them, then I headed for the kitchen. Tied an apron around my waist.
“We know you love her. We know she’s everything to you.” Booker sighed when I just stood there. “C’mon, Brax. Talk to us.”
I gripped the sink. “Yes, dammit. She is…everything to me.”
“Then why?”
“Because I can’t find a ring. I’ve searched for about a year.” Every time I thought I was getting close, my anxiety went through the roof. “No ring fit. No ring was good enough. I’ve even been to Tiffany’s in New York.”
Booker took a deep breath and glanced at Boone. “Should I tell him, or do you want to?”
“No, if I tell him, I might punch him in the face again, and we won’t get any pancakes. It’s looking iffy right now, about 50/50.”
I narrowed my eyes at them. “I’d say more like 60/40. But I’m happy to dish up some more fat lips.” Both of them mock-laughed at me. “What is this amazing insight?” I grumbled.
“Braxton, if you can’t find a ring, you can always design one.”
Something clicked inside me. “I love her. I want her tied to me. Please help me.”
Booker’s face went slack and Boone stared at me. I didn’t have any pride left when it came to working out this stupid problem. Pride seemed insignificant right now.
“It’s metal and rock. It’s really about you and her, not about anyone else. Work that shit out and everything else will fall into place,” Booker said.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go down there right now and get a ring for her. You can propose tonight,” Boone suggested.
Why was I making such a big deal about this? I stripped off the apron, feeling like I had something heavy in my chest. I forced myself to ignore it. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Three
RIVER PEARL
“This must be some mistake. Braxton and I have always used protection,” I said once I was in one of Doc Rust’s exam rooms. The knowledge rolled over me like a wrecking ball. Pregnant. Oh, God, how was Braxton going to react when he was already struggling with the idea of asking me to marry him. This news complicated things immensely.
A painful contraction clutched at my heart.
Would Brax be happy or angry? Would he think I was trying to trap him into marriage? This was awful, awful timing.
“There’s no mistake, missy. You’re pregnant. We’ll need to go over some things and you’ll want to start taking prenatal vitamins.”
“Doc Rust. I can’t be pregnant. Not even a little.” Experiencing a sudden attack of nerves, I closed my eyes and pressed my hands hard against my abdomen, trying to quell the sick feeling in my stomach.
“Young lady, I’ve been a doctor for more than thirty years, and I know pregnant when I see it, and you ain’t a little pregnant. You’re all the way pregnant.”
“Oh, God, how did this happen?” I was breathing too hard.
“In the usual way,” he said. “Slow down your breathing, River. You’re hyperventilating.”
He pushed my head down between my knees. “Breathe deep. Breath in and out.”
I followed his instructions, but the panic still clawed up the back of my skull, sending my brain into overdrive.
“Let me examine you, but I’d say from the hormones in your system, you’ve got a live one, and you’re about two months along.”
I walked out of his office with a prescription for prenatal vitamins, pamphlets on changes to my body, and information about morning sickness. I was sick to my stomach, but it had nothing to do with the pregnancy. He wanted me back in three weeks for an ultrasound.
I was still in shock, numb everywhere, as I blindly walked to my car and climbed in on autopilot. I must have sat there for ten minutes, not sure what to do. I looked up and then ducked down in my car. Brax and his two brothers were coming out of Jackson’s Jewelers. They were patting him on the back and he was carrying a blue velvet box in his hands.
They got into Booker’s car and drove off. Had Brax just done what I thought he had done? If he’d bought a ring, then I would be able to handle this. Everything would be fine. He’d ask me, and then I would tell him I was pregnant. My dilemma would be over.
I got out of the car and crossed the street, going inside. Lurlene, who was behind the counter, looked up, then her face went petulant.
