“You’re an only child. And an only grandchild, by the way, even though your grandparents have been gone a long time. You’ve never had siblings to share with, or even cousins. You’ve had your mama’s undivided attention. In fact, before she met Ben, you were the only thing in her life, except the ranch, and the horses.”
“I’ve heard enough.”
“You care more about the people you love than anyone I’ve ever known. You can coax a smile out of an unhappy person with that quick wit of yours.
“I’ve watched you charm the most miserable people into cracking a smile. I’ve seen you calm a horse that’s skittish because they’re in a new barn, and nothing is familiar to them. I watched you care for your mama even when she was doin’ her best to act as mean and nasty as she could be.”
“Anything else?”
“You love me with your whole heart and soul, and as scared as you are of this, you can’t help yourself, you’re gonna figure out how to make this work.”
It was her turn to look out the window, but he could see the tear slide down her cheek.
“Talk to me, baby.”
“You’re right about me.”
“Which part?”
“I’m not good at sharing.”
When they walked in the house, it was as though Billy was walking into her mom’s house back at the ranch in Monument. He shrugged off his jacket, hung it on the hook by the door, and was in the kitchen hugging her mom before Renie had her boots off.
He picked her up and swung her around. “I missed you so much, Livvie. Almost as much as I missed your daughter.”
Ben looked as though he wanted to throttle Billy. Was he upset with him, or had he just never liked him? Renie remembered that before Ben and her mom got back together, he thought there was something between them. But now he knew otherwise, so what was that look on his face all about? He turned and caught her watching him. His face changed completely as he gave her one of his smiles. Dottie hugged, Ben smiled.
“I missed you too, cowboy,” Liv said, when Billy set her back on her feet
. She looked a little green and held onto the counter for a minute.
“Mom? Are you okay?”
Liv held up a hand and started to answer, but hurried off in the direction of the bathroom before she could.
“Is she okay?” she looked at Ben.
“She’s okay.”
“She’s sick. Why are you making her cook breakfast?”
Ben pulled her into a hug. “I don’t make your mom do anything, Renie. You know that. She’s fine.”
Liv came out of the bathroom, but she didn’t look fine to her. She saw Billy catch Ben’s eye, and she didn’t miss the smile that passed between them.
“Honey, we should talk.” Liv was reaching out for her hand.
“You two are jerks,” Renie said to them as her mother led her into the other room.
“Renie, sit down.”
“Okay, but maybe you should sit down. You’re the one who’s sick.”
“I’m not sick, Renie. I’m having a baby.”
“Oh.”
“You okay?”