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LACEY DIDN'T TEAR INTO Poppy as she had planned, mostly because Poppy jumped on her the minute they pulled out of the parking lot.
“I didn't know you kissed him!” Poppy exclaimed. “Why didn't you tell me you kissed him?”
“Because I didn't want to talk about it yet. I mean, why did you tell him about the birthing classes, if you didn't think we had that kind of relationship?”
“I thought he wanted that relationship. I didn't think you’d gotten there yet.”
“Well, I don't know if we have enough of one for him to see me pushing two babies out on a delivery table. We’ve just kissed.”
“When?”
“When Dad brought Marianne over for dinner the other night. Beck came too, and sat in the stock tank and looked at the stars and kissed.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Poppy sounded hurt.
“I was just holding onto it a little while.”
Poppy shook her head. “You and your father are two of a kind. You really want to keep things close to the vest, even closed off from the people who care about you the most.”
“I didn't mean to hold it back from you,” Lacey said with a sigh. “I just don't know what’s happening. I don't know what can happen. I mean, he’s building a house. He wants to stay. He’s worried about his mom, he’s worried about me. I don't want a guy who thinks he needs to rescue me. I want a guy who thinks I’m fabulous and wants to snatch me up.”
“What makes you think he doesn't think you’re fabulous?”
“It doesn't matter if Beck thinks it or not. He’s the kind of guy who thinks I need help. I don't want to be the woman who needs help. I’m not helpless. I can do this.”
“That’s not what you said when you first found out you were having twins.”
“I knwo, but I’ve had time to come to terms with it, and I know I can do this. I’ll have my dad, and Marianne, and you, if I need you.”
“But not Beck?”
“Beck doesn't owe me anything. Not that you do,” she added quickly. “But I’m not going to tie him to Broken Wheel. I’m not going to have him resent being here because of me.”
“Oh. My. God. Beck is not your mother.”
Lacey flinched at Poppy’s adept observation. “He’s used to traveling, to seeing the world. He has a passport, and not just to go into Mexico for cheap booze. He isn’t the kind to stay in one place for so long. I’m not going to be the reason he has to.”
“Sounds to me like he made the choice.”
“Yes, he did, but he doesn't know how he’s going to feel in a couple of years, or even longer. He couldn't wait to get away from here before. It’s going to happen again.”
*****
LACEY NEEDED TO PUSH Beck away. She knew she did. But seeing him in person at The Wheel House put all those thoughts on hold. He kissed her when he got there, but none of their friends seemed surprised, so Poppy must have filled them in.
“Hey, we want to have a baby shower for you,” Ginny announced. “We’ll do it here, so we have plenty of room for everyone. We should probably do it next month, right, since twins tend to come early? Have you registered anywhere? What do you need? What days are good for you?”
“Let’s just do it on a regular Sunday get-together,” Poppy said. “We can do a co-ed shower. Do you want to invite your family?”
Lacey nodded, embarrassed. “Marianne offered to give me one, too, so I am sure she’d help.” Lacey wasn't wild about the idea of being the center of attention at a shower, but her practical said told her she needed to get a head-start on what she needed for these babies.
“I mean your mom, your sister and brothers.”
“I can set aside rooms for them at the motel,” Sofia offered when Lacey hesitated.
“We can invite them, I guess, but I’m pretty sure they won’t come.” She couldn't remember the last time she talked to her brothers, and her sister’s husband was really busy. She couldn't see them coming out just for a weekend. There was no easy and quick way to get to Broken Wheel from Houston.
She kind of wanted them to come, though, which surprised her. She kind of wanted them to make an effort, just for her, to get here. She just had to convince herself not to be disappointed when they didn't show up.
“So what’s the word on the birthing class?” Beck asked when it was time for him to head back to Midland, pulling her into his arms as he leaned back against the truck. Her tummy made intimacy a little harder, so she leaned back against his arms instead of pressing forward into his body.
“I think you can skip this one,” she said. “We’re going to learn about postpartum care, and I’d really rather you not think about me in that condition.”
He pressed his lips together and she knew that was not the answer he wanted. But it was the only one she was prepared to give.
“If you want, you can come the week after next. They’re going to teach us how to diaper and bathe the baby, all that practical stuff.”
She couldn't believe she was inviting him to that. She couldn't imagine he’d ever have occasion to use the knowledge, because she couldn't imagine herself giving him any of those tasks to do. But the invitation put a light in his eyes that made her glad she’d offered, and he pulled her forward to kiss her.
“I can’t wait.”
*****
SOFIA, HAILEY, POPPY, Marianne and Lacey met at the diner to plan the shower. Since Ginny was on shift, she just popped over once in a while to see what they’d planned. Again, Lacey wasn't too happy about being the center of attention, but the five of them needed to coordinate to set the date, figure out who to invite, and what to serve.
“I’m sorry if it will be awkward for you and Dad if I invite Mom,” Lacey said to Marianne.
“It’ll be weird, but she has moved on and she had to know he would, too. She’s your mother. You have to invite her.”
“Not even sure she’ll come, so there’s that,” Lacey said, forcing a laugh.
“Of course she will. You’re her daughter, and this is your first baby shower.”
Lacey didn't want to say that Marianne had never known her mother, and she wasn't exactly the most affectionate of mothers.
“Let’s not go to a lot of trouble,” Lacey said. “Just a cake, some drinks. That’s all.”
“No, we’re going to have finger sandwiches and salad,” Ginny said.
“We’re having a co-ed shower,” Hailey said. “We need something besides finger sandwiches. What’s easy? A brisket? Two briskets?”
“Now you’re getting into money,” Marianne said. “Have you priced a brisket lately?”
“Okay, so, what then? Casseroles? I guess we can have a variety of casserole. Each of us make two?” Sofia said.
Poppy wrinkled her nose. “I want the finger sandwiches. Maybe we can do subs for the guys? Does Mrs. Lopez carry sub rolls? You think she can order some for us? Get some deli meat, go to town. It won’t be cheap, but it won’t cost as much as a brisket and it will be filling. And easier than everyone bringing two casseroles.”
They agreed with Poppy’s suggestion, and then went on to the guest list. Sofia said she should invite her patients, but Lacey shook her head.
“I’m not going to ask them for anything. They’re my clients.”
“They probably are as invested as we are.”
“Doesn't matter. Please don't put them on the list. Beck may bring his mom, but that’s the only one, okay?”
“And you need to register somewhere so we can put that on the invitation.”
“I don't even know what to put.”
“Well, I know you’re going to need two of everything,” Poppy laughed.
“A double stroller, two car seats, two high chairs,” Marianne listed. “Diapers. Diapers. Diapers. All sizes.”
Lacey wrote down the ideas in her notebook as the others called out the ideas.
“God, I can’t ask people to buy these things for me,” she said as she looked up the items on her phone. “They’re so expensive.”
“Well, maybe some can go together on an item,” Poppy said. “Like we can all go in and get you a car seat or something.”
“You’re already doing too much.”
Marianne reached across the table and covered her hand. “Honey. People will do it because they love you. Let them. Don’t worry about it so much. If they don't want to, they won’t. This is their choice. You don't have to feel guilty. Okay?”
Lacey nodded, but she was going to feel guilty anyway.
“I’ll call my mom, but send her an invitation anyway,” she said, and gave Ginny the addresses for her family members.
*****
“MOM, I WANTED TO LET you know they’re having a shower for me,” Lacey said, calling her mother as soon as she got home from the meeting. “It’ll be two weeks from Sunday, and I was wondering if y’all could come.”
“A Sunday? Why a Sunday?”
“It’s just what we decided would be best for everyone,” Lacey said. “Do you think you might be able to make it?”
“Hmm.” Her mom delayed. “The calendar doesn't have anything marked down, but I need to check with Andrew first.”
“Of course,” Lacey said, knowing her mother didn't make any decisions without consulting her husband.
“Who’s throwing you the shower?”
“Poppy, Ginny, Sofia, our other friend Hailey, and Dad’s girlfriend Marianne.”
“Dad’s girlfriend?”
Better she know now that figure it out when she got here. “Yes, they’ve been dating a few months. She’s a retired schoolteacher.”
“I don't remember anyone named Marianne.”
Lacey wouldn't expect her to remember the people from town, even if Marianne had been here when her mother had been.
“No, she’s not been in town long. They’re both on the town council.”
“Oh. I had no idea your dad was so civic minded.”
Lacey didn't usually talk about her dad in their conversations, but she knew she had mentioned this. “He loves this place, and there’s a lot of work to be done. Better to help make it what he wants it to be than sit around complaining about it.”
“Well, I definitely want to come, but I’ll see what I can do. It seems that there should be an easier way to get there, but I don't know. You’re inviting your sister and brothers, aren’t you?”
“Of course, and everyone will be getting printed invitations, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. I really do want you here, Mom.”
“Sweetheart.” Her mom’s voice softened. “I will do everything in my power to get there.”
“Sofia said she’d set aside a block of rooms at the motel, if you want to come down a couple of days early.”
“Oh.” Her mother’s tone sharpened in surprise. “I guess we can do that. Maybe we’ll try to fly to San Angelo, and drive down. I’ll let you know what we decide to do.”
“Okay.” Lacey couldn’t ask any more than that. “I’ll call Tanya, Dalton and Luke to let them know.”
“Okay, but don't call them tonight. It’s already pretty late.”
Surprised by that assessment, Lacey looked at the clock. Eight thirty. Maybe that was late? She didn't think of it as late, but maybe once the babies were born, she would. Her brothers and sisters all had kids. She didn't know their schedules, so she took her mother’s word for it.