Liam had meant what he said. He wouldn’t keep pressing her about moving, but he hated having two hundred miles between them. What was he supposed to do in an emergency? What if Ellie or his child needed him? He didn’t want to be so far away from either of them.
He spared a quick glance over at his sleeping passenger and grinned. As much as he enjoyed Ellie’s company, he was glad she was getting the rest she so obviously needed, judging by the circles under her eyes.
Yep, not letting her drive was the right decision. She’d make a great mother, and surely Ellie could undo anything he might inadvertently screw up. The enormity of the situation was sinking in and he must be getting used to the idea of being a father because he didn’t panic each time the thought ran through his head. Well, that whole not-panicking thing was relative.
Before they’d left, he’d decided telling his sister right away made sense and Ellie had agreed. He’d hate for Meg to hear the news from someone else. Slowing Ellie’s car, he turned onto the driveway to his sister’s house.
The driveway leading to Meg and Riley’s began as a shared driveway, then it forked off into two. Her home was set back about one hundred yards from the main road. The house was surrounded by towering trees on three sides, and if not for the other home across the front yard from theirs, Meg and Riley would be all alone in the woods. On the other side of the trees, the lake was visible only during winter.
A swing set, sandbox and bicycle leaning against the open porch announced this was a family home. At one time, Liam had urged Meg to go in with him to purchase the Boston three-decker, but she’d been adamant about wanting a real yard for Fiona and his wasn’t much more than a postage stamp. He saw now that she’d made the right choice. Even before Riley returned to claim his small family, Meg had done the best thing for her and Fiona by moving here. Was that how Ellie felt?
He parked next to his sister’s car and shut off the engine. Reaching over, he shook Ellie’s shoulder. “Hey, sleepyhead, we’re here.”
Ellie blinked and sat up straight. She wiped a hand across her mouth and groaned. “Was I drooling?”
“Only the last hour or so.” He took the key from the ignition.
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because then I couldn’t razz you about drooling.”
“Brat.” She unbuckled her seat belt and scrambled out of the car. “Let’s get this over with.”
He got out and followed her onto the porch. Leaning down, he squeezed her hand and whispered, “Think of this as a practice run before we tell your parents.”
Ellie had barely knocked when the front door was flung open and Meg, dressed in jeans and an oversize sweatshirt, greeted them.
“I thought I heard a car pull in.” Meg gave Liam a questioning look as he hugged her and kissed her cheek. “This is a surprise.”
“I hope we didn’t come at a bad time,” Ellie said. She was chewing her bottom lip.
“No, no. Come in.” Meg waved them in and led them through the original cozy living room to the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have cookies in the oven and don’t want them to burn.”
Liam glanced around, surprised by the silence. With two kids and a dog, Meg and Riley’s home was usually a lot more boisterous. “Where is everyone?”
“James is taking a nap and Riley had the day off, so he did the school run to get Fiona, and the dog jumped in the truck with him. He texted that they were going to stop at the lake to let Mangy and Fiona blow off some steam before coming home.” Meg pulled out a cookie tin and set it on the table. “Sit.”
Liam reached for the tin. “Snickerdoodles?”
“Manners much?” Meg swatted his arm. “Let Ellie have some first. These cookies are Riley and Fiona’s favorites. They already gave me grief for taking half the batch to you last time I made them.”
“I didn’t forget, but someone got into my stash and ate the rest.” He scowled at Ellie, doing his best to hide a grin.
Ellie glared back and pulled out a chair. “Hey, there weren’t that many.”
“Want some coffee to go with the cookies?” Meg asked, giving them quizzical looks.
“No,” Liam practically shouted, remembering Ellie’s aversion to the smell. Clearing his throat, he searched for a calmer tone. “No, thanks. Milk is fine.”
Meg frowned but pulled a gallon of milk out of the refrigerator and reached into the cabinet for glasses.
Ellie sat down and grabbed a cookie while Liam poured milk for everyone.
Meg leaned toward Ellie. “I knew you were going to Boston, but you didn’t tell me you were bringing trouble back with you.”
Ellie broke a cookie in half and dipped it into her milk. “I didn’t know he was coming. He insisted. You know how bossy he can get.”
“You know I can hear you two,” he grumbled before shoving a cookie in his mouth. Meg’s body language told him she suspected something was up and they weren’t going to be able to hold her off for much longer.
He swallowed his cookie and made eye contact with Ellie, checking to make sure she was ready. “We, uh, have something we need to tell you.”
Meg did a fist pump. “What’s up? I know how you clicked over the summer. You two getting married?”
Liam nearly choked on his milk. “No!”
“Ass.” Meg punched his arm, sending milk sloshing over the top of his glass and onto his hand.
“Language?” Liam used a napkin to wipe off his hand and wet sleeve. He tried to act affronted but he regretted his knee-jerk answer. Looking at Ellie’s face, he knew he shouldn’t have said anything, even if that was his first reaction.
“You deserved it and the kids can’t hear me.” Meg turned to Ellie and shook her head. “I apologize for my—”
“It’s okay,” Ellie interrupted. “We don’t have any plans like that.”
Liam felt like the ass his sister had called him. Ellie was smiling, but her eyes were overly bright. Damn, he’d made her cry twice in one day. He reached across the table and touched Ellie’s hand. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
“I know.” Ellie cleared her throat. “I’m... That is, we’re having a baby.”
“A baby?” Meg’s eyes grew wide. “Wow... Uh, I mean congratulations. That’s...serious.”
“Oh, we’re not—”
“We aren’t—”
“Uh, guys.” Meg’s gaze bounced from one to the other, shaking her head. “Having a baby together is pretty serious.”
Seeing Ellie’s flushed face, Liam sent his sister a nonverbal warning, hoping their sibling connection would say what he wasn’t, even if he didn’t know exactly what he was trying to say. “Yes, it’s serious, but we’re friends who will also happen to be parents together.”
Meg nodded, but her expression screamed skepticism. “Does Dad know?”
Liam squeezed his eyes shut. “Not yet.”
“At least you’re in a better situation than I was when I had to confess,” Meg said.
Liam groaned. “It’s not like I can use my age as an excuse.”
“He’ll get over it. Doris has been a good influence on him and she’ll be thrilled. She loves babies,” Meg said, and turned her attention to Ellie. “I’m happy for both of you and excited to be an aunt. I never thought I’d have that honor. Riley’s an only child and, well, Liam, he’s—”
“Sitting right here, sister dear,” he interrupted, raising his eyebrows.
Meg rolled her eyes. “I’m excited to be an aunt and for Fiona and James and this new baby to have a cousin.”
Before Ellie could respond, Meg rushed on, “Too bad you won’t be here in Loon Lake. We could be like pregnant sisters.”
Ellie shook her head. “Oh, but I have no plans to move anywhere.”
Liam ground his molars. Ellie’s pregnancy wasn’t planned but it was a reality and he didn’t appreciate being shut out of major decisions, which might happen if Ellie stayed in Loon Lake. What other explanation was there for his caveman behavior around her?
Meg glanced at him with a help me out here look. He responded with a quick shake of his head.
“That’s even better,” Meg said. “We can be pregnant together. I think Mary and Brody are starting to think about giving Elliott a brother or sister. Wouldn’t that be fun? Our kids could form their own play group.”
Ellie pulled her hand free of Liam’s. She leaned over and gave Meg a hug. “I’d love that. Our kids are going to be family and I want them to be close.”
“Yeah, you’re getting to be an old pro at this, sis,” Liam said.
“Liam!” Ellie poked him with her elbow.
Meg laughed. “What can I say? Riley and I—”
“Riley and I what?” another voice came from the doorway to the kitchen.
Riley greeted Liam and Ellie as he walked over to Meg and leaned down to give her a kiss.
Meg put her arm around her husband’s waist. “Where’s Fiona?”
“Dang, I knew I forgot something.” He leaned in for another kiss. When he finally pulled away, he said, “She’s outside with the dog. Mangy’s paws got all dirty and I didn’t think you’d want muddy prints all over your floors.”
“Mmm. Good call.” Meg gave him a dreamy look.
Liam brought his hand up and covered his eyes. “Guys, company here.”
Despite his joking complaints, something sharp poked him when he saw how happy his little sister was in her marriage. He was glad, he truly was, but seeing it made him realize what he was lacking. Could he and Ellie build that sort of life together? Whenever he imagined his future, Ellie was front and center.
“Oh, yes.” Meg patted Riley’s chest. “Wait until you hear Liam and Ellie’s news. They’re having a baby.”
“Really? Congratulations.” Riley clapped Liam on the back. “When’s the big day?”
“Uh, we don’t know yet... Ellie hasn’t gone to the doctor.” Liam looked to Ellie.
Riley shook his head. “I didn’t mean the baby due date, I meant—Oomph.”
Meg’s jab to the ribs effectively silenced Riley, and she turned to explain. “Ellie and my brother are going to be...” She glanced at Liam but didn’t wait for confirmation before saying, “They’re going to be friends who have a baby together.”
Before anyone could say anything else, Fiona burst into the kitchen. “Mommy, I taught Mangy to catch the Frisbee. ’Cept he won’t bring it back to me.”
“That can be lesson two,” Meg said. “Did you tie him to the outdoor run before coming in?”
“Uh-huh, I tied him so he can’t run away or run into the woods and get lost. Uncle Liam, I didn’t know you were here. Where’s your truck?” The redheaded dynamo, a mini Meg, barreled over to Liam and hugged him.
“I came with Nurse Ellie.” He gave his niece a bear hug.
“Are you sick?” She tilted her head back and looked up at him.
He chucked her under her chin. “No, Ellie and I are friends, just like she and your mom are friends. We came in her car to visit you.”
“How come you came to visit me?” she asked.
Liam laughed. “I meant—”
A baby’s cry came from somewhere in the house.
“I’ll go get him,” Riley said.
“Thanks.” Meg pulled him back with a hand on his shirt and gave him another kiss.
Fiona pointed at her parents. “Uh-oh, Mommy, you better be careful. Uncle Liam said all that kissing stuff is what leads to all our babies.”
Liam groaned and rolled his eyes. The little blabbermouth. He just couldn’t catch a break today.
“Oh, he did, did he?” Meg gave him a stern look. “Fiona, why don’t you take Ellie outside and show her how you taught Mangy to catch the Frisbee. Maybe Auntie Ellie knows how to make Mangy bring the Frisbee back.”
Fiona scrunched up her face. “Aren’t you and Uncle Liam coming?”
“Yes, we’ll be out in just a minute.”
Riley chuckled and clapped Liam on the shoulder before leaving the kitchen. “Good luck.”
Liam watched Fiona take Ellie’s hand as they went outside and wished like heck he was going with them.
Once the door shut behind them, he turned to his sister. “You gonna rip me a new one now?”
“Nope.” Meg shook her head. “But I will say that how many kids Riley and I have is none of your business, just like whether or not you marry Ellie for the sake of your child is none of mine.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t have stayed for supper with my parents,” Ellie said when Liam yawned as they drove to her apartment later that evening. He hadn’t had the benefit of a nap as she had and he’d spent the better part of the afternoon chasing the dog to retrieve the Frisbee for Fiona to throw again. “I forgot you just came off a shift this morning.”
After leaving Riley and Meg’s, they’d stopped at her parents’ home to break the news. Liam had suggested it, likening it to ripping off a bandage. Faster was better, he’d suggested. She would have preferred maybe another day to gather her courage but didn’t want to take a chance they’d hear it from someone else.
But if she were honest, having to tell her parents she was pregnant hadn’t been what bothered her the most about going to her childhood home. When they’d arrived, her father had been in his basement workshop, where he spent most of his time. As if he wasn’t a part of what went on above those stairs. Her mom was in the stark white living room, where footprints didn’t mar the carpet. Ellie could remember when the house was full of noise and clutter. No, it was the memories being dredged up. She could remember the laughter, the loving glances and tender touches between her parents before she’d gotten sick. She’d taken all of that for granted when she’d had it, thinking it would last forever. Now they were more like polite strangers. They’d remained married because her mother believed that’s what you did. The marriage was in place but their relationship had withered and died.
“It’s okay. Your mom’s a good cook and I slept some last night. Plus, I have time to sleep before the extra shift I mentioned at supper.” He glanced over at her and grinned. “Besides, I wasn’t about to argue with your dad when he extended the invitation.”
She picked at a hangnail. Despite her mom’s initial concern over the fact that they had no marriage plans, she was looking forward to being a grandmother. Her dad had started to say something about the risk to her health but her mother shut him up with a stern look and a muttered “It’s not our decision.” When her dad had suggested Liam join him in the den while she helped her mom load the dishwasher she’d wanted to throw herself into the doorway to block their exit. And her objection wasn’t solely because of her dad’s sexist attitude toward chores. If she wanted to know something, she needed to ask. “What did my father say to you when you two went into the den?”
“Oh, you know...” He shrugged. “The usual guy talk.”
She rubbed her chest. Had he already put her back into the one of the guys category? “You forget, I’m a woman.” She managed a small laugh. “What’s the usual guy talk?”
He took his eyes off the road to give her an assessing glance. “Whether or not the Patriots can go all the way again this year. You okay?”
“Fine.” She glanced at the passing scenery as they drove across town. They might not be in any sort of committed relationship, but having a baby together was pretty important. Important enough to share things. “So you’re going to tell me that you and my dad went into the den to talk about football?”
He blew out his breath. “It’s all in the subtext.”
Okay, so maybe they did talk sports. “So my dad didn’t come right out and threaten your manhood?”
“Don’t go there. Please.” Liam winced and glanced down at his lap.
“Sorry,” she said, and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
“No, you’re not.” He huffed out his breath. “Your dad was subtle. He didn’t drag out a shotgun to polish or anything like that. He did, however, stress that it was important for me to be an involved father and that included financial support. I assured him I’d do my share.”
“My mother said maybe we should have started out a little slower, like maybe getting a dog first...see how that worked out.” Her mother had been torn between rejoicing at having a grandchild and being concerned over her still-single status.
Liam chuckled. “There’s still time...to get a dog, that is. I could check with Riley. I know he researched the one he got for Fiona so it wouldn’t aggravate Meg’s asthma.”
“Yeah, Meg said he was careful before getting it.”
“And then he went and spoiled it by letting Fiona name it Mangy.”
She choked out a sob of half laughter. “How would we take care of it? With both our jobs, we—” She shifted in her seat. “Oh, God, Liam, how can we be parents if we can’t even take care of a dog?”
He pulled into the driveway that led to her rental apartment, but didn’t go all the way up to the place. Putting the car into Park, he grabbed her hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. “First of all, we don’t have a dog, so quit worrying about a hypothetical situation. You’re going to be a great mom. And we have plenty of time to work out the logistics.”
“I’m going to be a single mother. Who knows if I’m going to be able to finish everything for my NP certification? That means I can’t give up my current job.” She hated that she sounded as if she were whining. Her job, while sometimes stressful, was something she enjoyed and it paid enough to support her and a baby; she had it a lot better than most. Plus Liam said he would be stepping up and she knew he was a man of his word. Poor Meg had had to do the single-mother thing for years before Riley came back into her life. Ellie knew Liam had done what he could to help Meg, but she’d still been alone at the end of the day.
“No one is asking you to give up your career goals. We’ll work out our schedules.”
She opened her mouth to ask how he could be so cavalier, but shut it without saying anything. He was being supportive and didn’t need her finding fault. “You’re right.”
“What did you say?”
She huffed out a sigh. “I said you’re right.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
“Don’t push it.”
He laughed and squeezed her hand once more before letting go and driving the rest of the way to her place.
The motion-sensitive lights came on as they approached the three-car garage.
“Do you park in the garage?” Liam asked.
“I haven’t been, because there’s no inside access to the apartment. Of course, I may rethink that in the middle of winter if the owner of the main house still hasn’t moved in.”
Liam parked her Subaru and she led the way up the exterior stairs located on one side of the garage and unlocked the door. Her place was perfect for a single woman. But where would she put all the paraphernalia needed for a baby? Even a high chair would be a tight fit for the kitchen.
The thump of a duffel bag hitting the floor interrupted her thoughts, and hands came to rest on her shoulders as if he’d been able to follow her silent thoughts. She leaned back into Liam’s warmth and strength.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said as his fingers massaged the kinks caused by the day’s tension.
She tilted her head back and stared up at him. He had the beginnings of a five o’clock shadow. He’d let his facial hair grow out a bit on his four-day rotation, but he would have to be clean-shaven when he went back on duty to allow the secure suction his respirator needed. She knew so many things about him and yet they now felt like mere details. “How come I’m the one freaking out and you’re the voice of reason?”
His arms went around her and he leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “Just abiding by the rules.”
“Rules?” She turned in the shelter of his arms. It felt so good to be there, to lean her head against his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat.
“I’ve decided only one of us is allowed to freak out at a time. I’m counting on you to be the voice of reason when I panic.” He gave her a quick squeeze. “Whaddaya say? Deal?”
She hugged him but quickly stepped back, making sure the contact didn’t last too long. Like ripping off a bandage. She didn’t want him to think she was throwing herself at him—even if that was what she wanted to do. “Deal.”