Page 71 of Now or Never

That had happened before, so it was a valid concern.

Zeyla continued, “The form I filled out online said you just want to check everything is okay with the baby so far. No concerns, but you’d love an ultrasound.”

“I would love an ultrasound.”

Jax’s expression softened.

“Those three-dimensional ones are weird. The baby always looks like a mutant. It’snotcute.”

Jax grinned.

“Right?!” Zeyla said. “And you’re supposed to tell people it’s so amazing, their baby is beautiful. Okay, so the technology is amazing, because you can see what the kid looks like before they’re born. But what if they’re ugly? It’s like,Sorry you didn’t pass this class. Enjoy your unfortunate life.”

Kenna turned to her cousin and stared at her.

“What?”

“So you’re gonna bethatauntie? The one who says the kid is cute, but really you’re just lying.”

Zeyla stilled, the coffee mug close to her mouth. “You two will probably make a cute baby.” She shrugged. “I mean, the odds are good your kid will be cute. But what if it’s like one of those cute puppies that grows up to be an ugly dog?”

Kenna said, “You’d better be good at presents.”

Zeyla’s expression shifted, and now she looked affronted. “Mom already got a storage unit. She’s filling it with baby stuff for you guys. I pitched in.”

Jax frowned

Kenna said, “Really?”

“We’re family, aren’t we?” Zeyla drank the rest of her coffee, then upended her mug in the tiny RV kitchen sink. “Can I rummage in your closet?”

Kenna nodded. “Maternity stuff is in the drawers, so just go for what’s hung up.” She turned on the seat and spoke toward the bedroom end of the RV. “What are you going to do about your hair?”

“Huh,” Zeyla called back. “Maybe I’ll hit a costume shop and get a wig or something.”

Her mind still wanted to hang on the idea of Amara with a storage unit of gifts for Kenna and Jax. Of course, her aunt was excited to be a grandma to this baby, but with their enemy and Amara being caught up in the fight along with the rest of them, how could she have carved out time for gifts—or basic supplies?

Kenna and Jax had bought a baby carrier just so they had something for the baby after she was born, but nothing else yet. The basics were diapers and wipes, clothes, and a couple of blankets. Aside from that, it was just a lot of stuff people accumulated, and you didn’t know what was necessity and what was frivolous until after the baby was too old to utilize it anymore. Their plan was to flex as needed, buy what was a “need” in the moment, and be grateful for all of it. Every second they had health and life, and freedom, was a second they could be thankful to God for what they had.

“Have you heard from your mom in the last day or so?” Kenna asked.

Zeyla called back from the bedroom, “I can ask her where the storage unit is if you want to look at what she got, but I think it’s in Kansas.”

Jax frowned. “Why Kansas?”

“It’s the center of the continental US, so you don’t get stuck across the country three days from where you need to be. You’re only a day’s drive, or thereabouts.” Hangers clacked together.

Kenna figured the logic on that was sound enough. But that didn’t mean she was going to move there. “What time is the appointment?”

“Two ten this afternoon.”

“Okay. I want to go and see Detective Langley this morning, and I’ll be back here in time for you to make that appointment.”

Zeyla reappeared holding a pair of Kenna’s jeans and a heavy red-and-white lumberjack shirt that was lined. The jeans could probably pass as maternity if Zeyla didn’t show the waistband.

“How are you going to pretend to be pregnant?” Kenna asked.

“I guess I need a pillow or something I can stuff up the shirt.” Zeyla headed for the door. “I’ll text you guys with the plan. Thanks for the coffee!” The door clicked shut.