Page 65

“And she’s blessed to have you too.”
Jamie wasn’t used to all these nice things being said to her and about her. “You don’t have to butter me up to get your free coffee, by the way.”
“I’m not. I mean it.”
“Well, you’re pretty great too.”
“I know.” He winked then laughed when Jamie rolled her eyes at him.
Jamie’s steps slowed as they passed by a new baby boutique. She’d strolled past several times since returning to town and fell in love with the most beautiful baby bassinet displayed in the front window. She couldn’t help but dream of setting it up in an adorable nursery with her sweet baby resting peacefully within. Too bad it was way out of her price range.
“I guess we’ll have to buy baby stuff soon, huh?” Duncan said.
“Yeah.” She picked up the pace. “But we have plenty of time to think about that.”
When they reached Starbucks, he held the door for her, and his hand landed softly against her lower back as he led her inside. As soon as he moved it away, there was an instant longing for him to put it back. It felt so nice each time he touched her. She knew it was meant in a friendly way, but she still couldn’t help but crave every connection.
The barista interrupted her train of thought when he asked what she wanted.
“Oh, uh, I’ll just have a bottled water.”
“Okay.” He handed one over the counter to her.
When she had paid for their drinks, she assumed they would walk back to the studio, but Duncan nodded toward an empty table by the window. “Do you have time?”
“Sure.” There was no way she would turn down time with Duncan. Ever.
“So, I wanted to talk about what will happen when you go into labor.”
Her stomach twisted at the thought and an uneasiness settled there. “We’ve got time before we have to worry about that. And honestly, I’ve thought nothing about it and don’t want to until I absolutely have to.” That was a total lie. Labor terrified her. She had thought about it. A lot. But she was trying to pretend it wasn’t going to happen.
“Are you scared?”
“Heck yeah, I’m scared. I have to push a watermelon out of me.”
A loud laugh escaped Duncan, and a few snickers from customers made her realize her volume level had gone up a little too high.
“You think it’s funny, but it’s true. It’s going to hurt.”
“They have drugs for the pain. It will be fine.”
“Fine? If you think it will be so fine, then you have the baby.”
They stared at each other for several beats before bursting into laughter.
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I know it’s scary, but I’ll be there. You won’t go through that alone.”
“What if I go into labor and you can’t make it here from Denver?”
“We’ll work it out. Maybe I can work from here when it gets closer to your due date.”
“Okay. I like that plan.”
“Don’t worry. Stress isn’t good for the baby.”
“I feel better knowing you’ll be with me.”
He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back. “Good.”