Page 81

“It’s what Mom would be doing if she was here. Jumping in and helping out.”

“You’re right. Thank you for standing in.” Aster gestured to the backyard. “Cruz seems nice.”

Violet followed her gaze to the man she’d only recently started dating. “It feels early to bring him to family stuff, but I think it might be a worthy cause.”

Aster liked seeing Violet happy again. “He seems gentle. Kind.”

“That’s an understatement.” She turned, her back pressed to the counter as she explained. “Ethan adores him. They have a lot of fun together, and he’s the first person I could actually see myself with since the divorce.” Her eyes went wide. “Speaking of, did you hear that Tad got drunk at a country club in Wichita? Broke a bunch of glasses and threw a chair. He had to be escorted out by three security guards, kicking and screaming the whole way. Asked them if they knew who he was, while the whole club watched. Someone put the video of the whole thing on Instagram.”

Aster grinned. “I did and loved every second of that gossip. Glad to hear it’s true.”

“It’s more than true. His father was so embarrassed that he cut him off and fired him, too.” She made a little rhythmic clapping gesture. “God takes his time, but he gets around to most everyone. For good or bad.”

Aster raised the fry basket and gave it a shake. “You know, I think you’re right.”

“Even you and Brynn getting your happily ever after. And now a little one.”

Aster went still. She turned to Violet. “Wait. How did you—”

She smiled softly. “I’ve been pregnant before, Aster. I know what it looks like.” She watched Brynn through the open back door. “She’s glowing. It’s really the most beautiful thing.”

“I think so, too,” Aster said. “We were going to wait and tell everyone once we’re a little farther along. A few more weeks.”

Violet made a lock and key motion in front of her lips. “They won’t hear it from me.” She pulled Aster into a tight hug that brought tears toher eyes. “I’m so happy for you that I can’t see straight. Anything you guys need, you call me.”

“We will,” Aster said, over the moon at their most recent news. It had taken them a couple of tries at a clinic in Kansas City, but when the stick showed two lines, Brynn had leapt into her arms and kissed her into next week.

“What’s with all the love happening in here?” Brynn asked from the doorway.

“Aster was just making fries while I teared up like a lunatic. No worries. I’m done now. I’ll leave you two lovebirds custody of your kitchen now.”

“What was that about?” Brynn whispered when they were alone.

“I will tell you later.”

“Will you also rub my feet later? On the couch. With a movie on.”

Aster kissed her nose. “I would love to. It’s a date.”

“And I should warn you.” Brynn’s green eyes danced. “The hormone train I’m on is a little ridiculous. I may or may not keep my hands to myself. You’re wearing the jeans that do me in. Probably just to torture me because you knew other people would be here and there was nothing I could do about it.”

“You found me out.” Aster smiled because pregnant Brynn had quite the sex drive, and regular Brynn was already pretty ambitious. “I promise to let you take me out of them if that’s what you want.” Just the sentence alone had Aster looking forward to later.

Brynn kissed her cheek as the dogs dashed through the kitchen, made a fast and furious lap, and dashed back outside again, clearly enjoying their day. “Good. Now I think the steaks are calling. Your father is staring at them like they might sprout wings.”

“He takes his job very seriously.”

“I see now where you get it. Now let’s go spend time with these amazing people in our backyard. There’s a cornhole tournament sprouting up, and Tyler and I are gonna take the whole thing. Vets united.”

Aster laughed. “I won’t tell Sage.”

Brynn paused, door in hand, and looked back. “We’re gonna have a family, Aster.” She said it quietly, but with so much feeling that Aster’s heart practically burst.

“I know. It still doesn’t feel real. I honestly can’t wait for the rest of our lives.”

“Look at us. Who knew the power of an everyday bench?”

Aster placed a hand over her heart and watched the love of her life rejoin their family on a wonderful spring day. There was a time when Aster thought life was boring if it wasn’t constantly throwing her curveballs. It turned out, she was simply missing her person, who would never be anything less than exciting in Aster’s eyes. Brynn, quite simply, made the world feel colorful and bright. And now they would walk through it together. Forever and always.