Page 31 of Tiny Precious Secrets (The Brothers of Calloway Creek The Montanas #4)

Allie

I look around the table, suddenly aware of how much I’m going to miss these family breakfasts.

We’ve had them for as long as I can remember, going way back to when I was little.

Even as we got older and my brothers moved out, they would randomly show up for Mom’s famous bacon pancakes.

It’s down to only once or twice a week now, but you can be sure Mom is always prepared and never runs out of fresh batter.

“Everything okay?” Mom asks me, putting a heaping plate down as Lucas stabs a pancake before the platter even hits the table.

I shrug. “I was just thinking how I’m going to miss these spontaneous family gatherings.”

Her hand lands on my shoulder. “You’re not moving to the moon, Allie.”

I frown. “Aren’t you even a little bit sad that I’ll be moving out in ten days?”

“Well, sure.” She cocks her head. “Actually, no. I mean, I’ll miss our late-night talks and how we sometimes ride to work together. But I think it’s wonderful, sweetie. I’ve had you here far longer than most parents get to enjoy their children. Besides, you know you’re always welcome.”

I reach out and take her hand. Mom and I have always been so close. I know I’ll only be ten minutes away, and it’s ridiculous to be having these feelings when I’m almost twenty-nine years old. But with the babies coming, it’s all getting a bit overwhelming. Sometimes a girl just needs her mom.

“Geesh,” Lucas sighs. “Cut the cord already.”

Mom swats him on the back of the head.

Asher squeezes my hand under the table, and when I look at him, he gives me an encouraging smile. Then he nods to the other side of the table where Bug is holding a squirming Mitchell. At almost five months old, he’s at the point where he doesn’t want to sit still.

“When can he eat pancakes?” Bug asks.

“Not for a few months,” Regan says. “We just started him on some baby food last week. His favorite so far is peaches.”

“Cool. Can I feed him?”

“Sure.” Regan looks over at me and smiles. “I’ll just go get some out of my bag.”

Mom pulls over the highchair she keeps in the corner. “Guess I’m going to have to get a few more of these,” she says happily.

Regan gets Mitchell situated in the highchair. It’s amazing how far he’s come since he was released from the NICU. He seems fully caught up to full-term babies. He’s even sitting with support, which, according to Regan, is apparently when you can start feeding solids.

I suppose I should start reading those parenting books everyone keeps giving me. But every time I do, I’m reminded of Christopher, and it feels almost like a betrayal.

Bug dips the small baby spoon into the jar then touches it to Mitchell’s lips like Regan showed her.

His mouth opens wide and we all laugh. He loves being the center of attention and reacts to our laughter more than the food, so peaches drip down his chin, resulting in even more laughter.

He slaps his little hands against the tray.

Bug is smiling from ear to ear.

Asher and I steal a glance at each other, both of us hoping this is just one more step in her acceptance of our situation.

“You’re going to make a great big sister,” Regan says.

I go completely stiff. It’s like I’m bracing myself for Darla’s typical snarky, petulant reaction.

So it surprises me when she says, “Kids are pretty cool.” But then her eyes momentarily flit over my way. “It’s some adults I have a problem with.”

And there it is.

Asher doesn’t call her out on it because it’s not like other times when she blatantly disrespects me. These days that only seems to happen when he’s not around. I gather he threatened her to within an inch of her life at some point.

I’m not about to rat her out, however, and tell him she gets in her digs when he’s not here to listen to them. If I did that, there’s no way in hell I’d ever earn her trust or her respect.

Asher stops eating, pulls his phone out of his pocket, then excuses himself from the table.

My eyes are on him as he quietly talks to whoever it is from the far side of the kitchen.

He looks over at me guiltily as he’s speaking, and his chest heaves with a frustrated sigh that I can see but not hear.

He tucks his phone away and sits back down.

“I’m really sorry to do this to you after only being here a few days, but there’s been an emergency with a tech firm Rich has been trying to get to sign with us for years.

They’ve had a massive data breach. Rich and Arjun are both flying in later today, but I’m going to have to get over there and get started immediately. ”

“Get over where?” I ask.

“The city.”

I shrug. “That’s not so bad. At least you were close.”

“Yeah, but…” He looks over at Bug, who’s still happily feeding and playing with Mitchell.

“It only makes sense for me to pack an overnight bag. I could be working very late tonight and there’s no way this issue will be resolved by the end of the day.

I’m hoping it will be by tomorrow night though.

” He shakes his head. “God, I hate to do this to you.”

“It’s one night, Ash. I think I can handle it. Plus, if you’re worried about Bug, my parents are here to run interference.”

He lowers his head and says softly, “You shouldn’t need interference. I’ll talk to her, make sure she treats you with respect.”

“Don’t. We need to come together on our own terms.”

He checks the time. “Damn. I really need to get going. Every minute I’m delayed is costing them money.” He stands. “Bug, I have to go to work, and I won’t be back until tomorrow night.”

Her hand holding the spoon drops to the table like a lead weight. “You’re leaving me here. With her ? ”

Asher shoots her a warning look. I squeeze his elbow in an attempt to keep him from scolding her in front of everyone.

“We’ll make a day of it,” Mom says. “How about you come in to work with me? I have a light day. It’ll be fun. And we can invite Marti, Charlie, and Dallas for dinner.”

Thank you , I mouth at her when she catches my eye.

Asher holds out his hand. “Help me pack?”

I smile and put my palm in his, because that’s definitely code for ‘I want to kiss you senseless before I leave.’