Page 24 of Dirty Mechanic

I stare.

She kills the ignition and eases out, her sensible flats dusted with farm dirt, her belly rounded and unmistakable.

My mouth drops open.

Derek chuckles. “She changed her corvette back in LA for a VIP stroller.”

Caroline cradles a steaming stainless-steel bowl of apple pie. The woman who almost ruined my brother’s life strides across the grass, cheeks flushed with gossip and morning sun.

“Surprise!” she chirps, lifting the bowl between us. “Thought I’d be one of the first to welcome Annabelle home. Low-sugar, butter-substitute recipe—house specialty.”

I blink at Derek, then at Caroline. “You moved home?”

“Came back from LA last spring,” she says, jiggling the bowl so crust fragments tumble over the rim. “Opened mine-and-yours Law Firm—Gnatz & Thor.”

“Thor? You named your law firm after a mechanical bull?”

“It’s strong and I’m unbeatable.” She rubs a large circle over her belly. “And since this little one’s daddy is the best mechanical bull operator in town, it fits.”

I can’t hide the shock on my face, nor can I close my mouth.

“Caroline, you’re…expecting?”

She laughs, warmth easing my shoulders. “You didn’t think this was all apple pie, did you? Due any day. Baby Boone’s almost ready to make his debut.”

Marty? Marty Boone, the town’s mechanical bull operator, knocked up Caroline Gnatz, the high-powered attorney? My mind spins.

Derek removes the pie bowl from Caroline’s hands. “Why don’t you join us in the backyard? I’ll grab some lemonade.”

We stroll toward the weathered picnic table under the blooming apple tree. Sunlight flickers through the leaves as Derek nods at me.

“She’s been making amends with Emma and Eric,” he whispers.

I glance between them, mouthing. “Caroline?”

How long have I been gone?

I sit at the table across from her.

Derek sets the pie bowl down and brings out lemonade. The crust’s golden, steam curling like ribbon.

“You made that?” I ask.

“Of course. Low sugar, low fat, high heart.” Caroline waggles an eyebrow at my skepticism. “Eat up. You’re too skinny, and you look like you could use some home cooking.”

Too skinny? From Caroline? And who in the world puts an apple pie in a stainless-steel bowl?

Derek nods to the pie, eyes affectionate. “She’s trying to atone for her Wild West days of blackmailing your brother.”

Caroline lets out a sigh. “I was a bitch, okay? It took me too long to realize Eric and I weren’t meant to be and that Marty was my man. So, I’m on good terms now. I’m the new Caroline Gnatz 2.0, soon to be Boone.”

She flashes the huge diamond ring on her hand, and I choke out a surprising, but heartfelt, “Congratulations.”

Warmth blossoms in my chest. If Caroline can change, anything’s possible. I spoon a bite of the pie. It’s sweet…and buttery, cinnamon-kissed. I never tasted anything this forgiving, I think, as the crust flakes melt on my tongue. Each crumb feels like a little lighthouse guiding me back to myself.

But this low-calorie delight is definitely missing sugar’s and butter’s true flavor of love.

Still, it’s the effort that counts, and for a heartbeat, everything’s normal, homey, and bright.