by J. H. Croix
Chapter Thirty-One
Mack
Jackson eyed me warily. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I need some advice,” I repeated. “But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t hit me first.”
Jackson leaned back in his chair. “Fuck my life. Please don’t tell me you’re asking for advice about you and my sister.”
“Yes, I am. Because you know her, and I could seriously use some advice.”
We were at a diner, Candy’s Diner to be specific. Dawson had turned us onto this place because it was run by an old family friend of his. The friend in question, Candy, stopped by our table. “Hey, y’all. I’m assuming you’d like to start with coffee?”
She was already filling the mugs by our elbows before we even answered. It was six a.m., so we definitely needed coffee.
“I need it as strong as you’ve got,” Jackson said.
“I have a new espresso maker,” Candy said as she reached up and pulled out the pencil tucked behind her ear. “Do you know what else you want? I’ll go ahead and get your order started.”
“Give us both a test drive with that new espresso machine,” I interjected. “Otherwise, I’ll take one of your omelets. I don’t care what kind, just make sure there’s bacon in it.”
“Same,” Jackson replied.
“Be back with your new coffee in just a few.” Candy walked off, and I took a sip of coffee.
It was quiet for a moment, and then Jackson gave me a firm look. “Well, spit it out, dude.”
“I will, but I need you to promise not to mention to Ash that I talked to you about this.”
Jackson sighed. “I promise.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but Ash is cutting me out, and she’s pregnant.”
Jackson choked on a sip of coffee. I handed over a napkin and grabbed another to wipe the coffee splatter off the table. “Sorry, bad timing.”
“Ya think?” he muttered. He regarded me for a moment. “It’s a good thing we’re in public. Otherwise, I’d seriously consider kicking your ass.”
“I get it. Ash just told me the other day, and now she’s basically avoiding me. I don’t know what to do, and I’m in love with her.”
Saying that word out loud snatched the breath out of my chest. But I needed to say it. I’d known it, but somehow, those four letters strung together scared the hell out of me.
Candy arrived at that moment. “Here y’all go.” She set our two fresh coffees down with a flourish. “I made you both an Americano with two shots of espresso. That should definitely wake you up. Your food will be out in just a few. I’ll take those old coffees.” She snagged the two mugs with one hand and patted me on the shoulder as she hurried off to check on the next table. This diner was small, but it was always busy.
Jackson and I took a moment to taste the new coffee. “Oh man, that’s good,” I said, appreciating the rich, dark flavor.
“Agreed,” Jackson replied with a satisfied sigh as he set his mug down. “Now, what is it you want my advice with? The fact that you got my sister pregnant, or the fact you’re in love with her?”
Strangely, I needed no advice about the surprise pregnancy. I would support whatever Ash wanted. She’d told me plainly that night she wanted our baby, so I was one hundred percent with her. Maybe I didn’t plan it, maybe I didn’t ever expect to have kids, but I wanted our baby with a fierceness that surprised me. Every protective instinct inside me was on fire and determined to make sure everything turned out better than okay.
“Maybe it’s crazy,” I began, “but even though the pregnancy surprised the hell out of me, I’ll be there however Ash wants me to be. That’s the rub, though. I don’t know what she wants. With me.”
Jackson stared at me quietly and took an almost aggressive swallow of his coffee.
“Look, I get that you’re pissed—”
Jackson nodded sharply. “Yeah, I’m fucking pissed. You got my sister pregnant. What the fuck? And I can’t believe you asked me not to say anything to her about this.”
Candy arrived with our food. After she set our plates down, she looked back and forth between us. “What’s wrong, y’all? Things look a little tense.”
“Mack got my sister pregnant,” Jackson said flatly.
Candy’s gaze was careful. “Well, does she want the baby?” When I nodded, a smile broke out on her face. “Then congratulations! Every baby is worth celebrating.” Her gaze softened as she looked toward Jackson. “Now, I’m sure you’re feeling all manly and like you need to defend your sister’s honor or something like that, but unless Mack is an asshole, and unless she doesn’t want anything to do with him, then be pissed and move on. I’m sure your sister and Mack could use your support.”
Jackson stuck his tongue in his cheek as he let out a sharp laugh. “Right. I get it. I wasn’t even used to them being together, and now she’s pregnant. And apparently, he’s in love with her, and she’s ignoring him. He wanted my advice. I think you have better advice to offer than I do, Candy.”
Candy squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a good friend and a good older brother.” Her attention came back to me. “If you love her, you gotta show her. I don’t know what’s going on because I’ve never met Jackson’s sister. What’s her name?”
“Ashley. She goes by Ash.”
“I’m sure Ash is lovely because she’s Jackson’s sister and you love her.” Jackson let out a heavy sigh, but Candy ignored him. “Just tell her what you feel. You have to communicate with your words and your actions. You have to be there. Not just for the easy stuff either. If you don’t mind me being blunt, if the sex is good, then that qualifies as easy. Now you get your butt back to Stolen Hearts and set the record straight with her. I don’t know if she’s in love with you, but there’s only one way for you to find out. If she’s not, suck it up and be a good father and a good partner to her in taking care of your child.”
On the heels of that little lecture, Candy gave my shoulder an enthusiastic squeeze and hurried off because her husband was calling her name from the kitchen.
“What she said,” Jackson added, gesturing with his fork in the direction of the kitchen.
“Do you still feel like hitting me?” I asked after we ate in silence for a few minutes. The food was delicious and a good enough distraction that I’d calmed down a little bit.
Jackson finished chewing and took a swallow of water before replying, “I’m not sure yet. Depends on how Ash is doing. That also depends on you letting her know you told me what the fuck is going on.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ash
Being overly nervous now that I knew I wanted my baby, I had scheduled an appointment with Dr. Hollows. In my hand, I had a list of questions I’d scribbled on a piece of paper.
Her medical assistant had just told me that she was running late today after an emergency surgery, so it was going to be a few minutes. I sat in the chair beside the examination table, the little piece of paper warm and slightly crumpled in my fingers. I unfolded it, smoothing it on my thigh as I scanned the questions again. There was a light knock on the door, and I called for whomever it was to come in.
The med assistant poked her head around the door. “Your boyfriend’s here,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
I silently groaned. How the hell did Mack figure out I was here? I didn’t want to make a scene and make it any more awkward than necessary, so I pasted a smile on my face. “Okay, send him on back.”
She disappeared, and I heard her voice saying, “Go on in. She’s waiting for the doctor. It’s going to be a few minutes.”
Mack’s tall form filled the doorway as he stepped through. The sound of the door closing behind him clicked loudly in the quiet exam room. My heart felt lodged in my throat.
I’d totally been avoiding him. It had now been three days since we talked. After my talk with Shay while he was gone for the night with the rest of the crew, the following day I’d been crazy busy in the clinic. Jackson and the rest of the crew ha
dn’t even been scheduled to return until then. By the time I finished an emergency surgery on a dog who’d been hit on the highway, it was close to midnight. Jackson had offered to take duty at the clinic and sleep on the small bed we kept in one of the rooms there, but I needed to be there. I just couldn’t leave for the night. I knew I wasn’t going to feel okay if the dog didn’t make it. Thank God she did.
I was running on fumes and no coffee. My emotions were on the raw side. Mack stood by the door for a moment. He was such a big guy, and his presence filled the space.
Biting back a sigh, I gestured him closer. “You might as well sit down.”
In three strides, he was sliding his hips into the chair beside me, his big blue eyes searching my face. He looked as tired as I felt, and my heart gave a kick. He curled his big palm over mine where it rested on my thigh. His touch was always warm and comfortable, a port in the storm of my messy life. My emotions felt akin to whirling dervish.
“Are you okay?” he asked, a crease of worry between his brows.
I couldn’t seem to speak, so I tried valiantly to breathe through the tightness in my chest. I so did not want to cry right now, but tears were wicking up from the knot in my throat and pressing hot at the backs of my eyes.
I needed to say something, but I could only manage to nod.
“I love you,” he said, so solemnly that all I could do was believe him.
My heart felt like it was going to crack open inside my chest. Joy burst through all of my emotional confusion.
“Is that okay?”
“Is it okay if you love me?” I finally managed to ask, my voice coming out raspy.
“Well, yeah,” Mack said, uncertainty dashing through his eyes. “You’ve been avoiding me for days. I’ve never been in love, so I really have no idea how to do this. I thought maybe I needed to tell you how I felt, and then we could go from there.”
Before I could formulate a response, he added, “Don’t get pissed off at Shay, but she’s the one who told me you had this appointment. I thought maybe you should know I want to be here for any appointments for you and for the baby.”
Well, that did it. I burst into noisy tears. Mack looked flabbergasted and frightened by my display. His hand slid up my back and rubbed in circles. “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he muttered.
Then he was pulling me onto his lap, which was awkward because the chairs weren’t very big. Considering his size in relation to mine, sitting on Mack’s lap had me feeling like a girl. I tucked my head into the crook of his neck and breathed him in. His warmth and strength and comfort helped ease the emotions rioting inside me. I reached the hiccupping stage in my tears. I felt him shift, and then he was handing me a tissue he must’ve found on the counter beside him.
I blew my nose and finally lifted my head. “I didn’t mean to cry.”
“S’okay. I just want you to be okay, Ash. If you don’t love me, that’s okay too. We’ll deal with it.”
Oh, geez. Now he had me crying again. Mack being sweet was dangerous for my emotional sanity.
“I do love you,” I said between sniffles and a few hiccups.
Mack leaned his head back, whispering roughly, “Oh, thank Jesus.”
When he lowered his head, there was a knock on the door. I moved to scramble out of Mack’s lap, but he held me tight. “You’re not going anywhere. I finally got you back in my arms. I need a few minutes.”
I started laughing, and the door opened. Dr. Hollows peered into the room. “Oops, looks like I’m interrupting a moment. If you don’t mind, I’ll check on the next patient and come back. Sound good?”
“Perfect,” I replied.
I blew my nose after she closed the door.
I looked up at Mack, feeling sheepish. “I’ve been avoiding you.”
“Really?” he drawled. “I hadn’t noticed.”
I took a shuddery breath. “I’m sorry. This pregnancy was a surprise and kind of threw me. I was afraid you didn’t love me, and I didn’t want to pressure you. I’ve done that before, even if I didn’t mean to, and it didn’t turn out so well.”
He searched my eyes, lifting a hand and swiping a tear away with his thumb. “It’s okay. I’ve been avoiding in my own way. It took me a while to figure out I loved you. Don’t you dare think it’s because we’re having a baby. I just needed some time to catch up. And get a lecture from Evie and Candy.”
“Candy?” I queried, completely confused.
“Oh, Candy’s Diner in Asheville. Candy runs it. She’s an old family friend of Dawson’s. He started taking us there when we go to Asheville. She’s been married for over fifty years, so I took her advice.”
I laughed, leaning up to press a kiss on the side of his neck. When I drew away, he looked worried. “What is it?”
“You’re probably going to kick my ass, but I told Jackson. Because I needed advice. Desperately.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Mack
Ash’s eyes widened. Her mouth parted before she closed it again and angled her head to the side. A tear fell from her eyelashes, and I brushed it away with my thumb.
“I’ll understand if you’re pissed about me talking to Jackson,” I added.
My heart was thundering along in my chest, although the tightness I’d been holding there for days started to loosen, and the cold dread balled in my stomach was dissolving.
“I’m not thrilled, but I understand. I think.”
I rushed to explain. “You were avoiding me completely, so we didn’t have a chance to talk, and I didn’t know what to do. Jackson’s seriously pissed off with me.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Ash offered.
“You don’t need to talk to him on my behalf. You’re his little sister, and I got you pregnant.”
Ash bit her lip, and then a laugh slipped out. I was almost giddy with relief.
“It’ll be fine. Jackson will get over it. After all, Remy was as close to him as you were when y’all were growing up. Jackson’s with Shay,” she explained, referencing Shay’s older brother who had moved to Alaska a while back.
I shrugged. “I’m not gonna argue the point with Jackson. He can be mad. All that matters, is us.”
Ash traced a finger along my collarbone before leaning forward to drop a kiss in the divot at the base of my throat. Cupping her cheek, I nudged her chin up and dusted my lips over hers. I meant for it to be a brief kiss. I was, surprisingly, aware of where we were, after all.
Ash arched into me, sliding her hand around the base of my neck and pulling me closer. Her tongue slipped out to tease mine. Before I knew it, she was straddling me and rocking her hips over my arousal.
Fuck me. Ash made me forget where we were until I heard footsteps in the hallway. I pulled my lips free from hers, my head thumping the wall.
“Fuck, Ash,” I groaned. “Let me keep my shit together.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to,” she teased with another shimmy of her hips.
I narrowed my eyes and lifted her firmly off my lap. She wiggled but laughed.
Only seconds later, the doctor knocked on the door again. Ash called, “Come in!”
The doctor stepped through the doorway. Ash gestured between us. “This is Dr. Hollows. This is Mack, my boyfriend.”
It was such a small thing, really, but my heart swelled at hearing her call me that. Ash didn’t know it yet, but we weren’t just going to be boyfriend and girlfriend. She was mine, and I intended to make it official.
Dr. Hollows smiled at us. “Is it presumptuous for me to guess you’re the father?”
“He is,” Ash said firmly as I nodded.
The doctor smiled. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s important for you to be a part of this with Ash. It’s a team effort. I am all about women doing things independently, but when they have someone who’s willing to do it with them, I’m your biggest cheerleader.” She narrowed her eyes in my direction as she slipped her hips onto a stool across from us. “Unless, that is, you do anything to
make me question whether you’re a good support for Ash and your baby.”
I inclined my head. “Understood.”
“Now, Ash, I understand you have some questions. You certainly don’t need to come in this soon, but I thought it best that we go ahead and meet so we can put your mind at ease.”
Ash leaned down to pick up the piece of paper that had fallen earlier. She unfolded it and smoothed it out before handing it to the doctor.
“Oh, wow,” the doctor said, a smile teasing at the corners of her mouth. “This is quite the list of questions. Let’s go through them one by one. This will be helpful for both of you.”
She quickly ran through Ash’s questions. I didn’t like learning Ash was feeling so tired some days, but relieved that was apparently normal. The doctor advised Ash to expect morning sickness soon but said she might get lucky and avoid it altogether since she was already in the timeframe when it usually started.
“And now, to your last question. Is it safe to have sex?” She smiled at us. “Absolutely. If at any point that changes, I’ll let you know. Since the beginning of humanity, women have been having sex through pregnancies and delivering perfectly healthy babies. Occasionally, some complications can arise, but we’ll cross that bridge if and when it comes. You’re healthy, and there’s no indication you need to worry at this stage.”
By the time we left, I was a little shell-shocked. The enormity of Ash’s pregnancy and what it was going to mean for her, for us, and for our families was crashing over me in waves. There were so many logistics to consider.
We stopped beside Ash’s car, and I looked down at her. “Can you ride back to the lodge with me? I’m not ready to leave your side.”
Ash let out a surprised laugh. “I need my car.”
“I’ll come back and get it later. I promise. I’ll have one of the guys bring me out to pick it up.”
