“I’m really happy y’all got married.”
The dark-haired beauty smiled but it held a question. “Why? Because you always wanted someone to make Jethro eggs on toast?”
“Something like that.” Cletus crossed to the kitchen table, a pleased look on his face, and brought the mug to his lips before remembering the coffee was too hot. Frowning anew, he set the mug down.
“You should let me blow on it,” I said, low so that only he could hear, and his gaze cut to mine, held. I smiled.
He did not. But his eyes sure did get real hot.
“I’m here.” Ashley, announcing her arrival with a soft voice, stepped through the back door. She glanced at Sienna. “How’d he sleep?”
“I don’t know.” Sienna shrugged. “You know nothing wakes me up. But I’m about to wake up Jet. Shelly is coming over to watch Ben, and we need to leave in a half hour, so I’m making him breakfast. Do you want anything?”
“God, no,” Ashley blurted, holding up her hand as though to stave off a carnival clown, earning her a questioning look from all three of us. “I mean, I—uh—already ate.” She swallowed. The action seemed to take some effort.
I glanced at Cletus and found him inspecting his sister closely. “Ash, are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just—” the Winston sister pasted a forced, closedmouthed smile on her face “—tummy trouble.”
“Are you sure? You seem to be on the precipice of a severe gastrointestinal . . . voiding.”
“No. I already barfed.” Ash chuckled and winced. “I should be fine for the rest of the day, I just need a lemon drop or something.”
Cletus scratched his jaw through his beard, inspecting his sister as she walked stiffly to the table. “You want me to mix you a cocktail?”
“No, Cletus. The candy, not the cocktail. I have some in my bag. Just, hold on a second. Janie sent some . . . ugh, never mind. Just give me a minute.”
Feeling the press of attention on me, I glanced at Sienna and found her watching me with an intent and knowing look, her eyes big as quarters, her full lips smashed together as though working real hard not to spill some beans. “Maybe Jenn could make you some lemon custard tarts . . .”
My mouth dropped, my eyes widening with the realization, Ash is pregnant! OH MY GOD! When Sienna was pregnant with Benjamin, the only thing that helped with her nausea—or so she said—were my lemon custard tarts.
This was so exciting. So exciting. BABIES! YAY!
Cletus looked to me and did a double take. “What? Why do you look like that?”
“Like what?” I squeaked, picking up my English breakfast tea and taking a sip.
“Like you gotta pee and you’re real happy about it. What happened?”
I shook my head quickly. “Nothing.”
“That’s an untruth.” He pointed an accusing finger at me, his back straightening as his eyes ping-ponged between his sister, Sienna, and me. “Someone is telling me what’s going on, right now.”
“Slow your gourd, Cletus.” Ashley huffed, pulling a bag of yellow hard candies from her purse. “I’m pregnant, okay? Just give me a minute to get one of these suckers in my mouth.”
Cletus flinched back. His jaw dropped and he blinked like crazy. “You’re what?”
“With child.”
I jumped from my seat and jogged to her. “Can I hug you? This is so exciting!”
“Of course. All hugs are welcome from you, anytime.” She opened her arms and I immediately stepped into the embrace, careful not to squeeze too hard.
“I’ll make you those custard tarts today,” I promised. I no longer worked at the bakery on the weekends, but for Ashley, I’d make an exception.
“They really helped me,” Sienna said as she grabbed the plate of eggs on toast and darted out of the kitchen. “See you later. Love, love, love all of you.”
Waving to Sienna’s departing form, I turned to Cletus, expecting him to be next in line for a hug. Instead, he stood by the table, staring at Ash like he needed a moment to process.
“Are you okay, Cletus?” Ashley gave me a quick look. “Do you need a lie down and a valium?”
“When were you going to tell me?”
“I just told you, right now.”
He still looked confused, befuddled, caught off guard. “What about an event? Shouldn’t you be telling folks this news at an event? This deserves fanfare and fireworks.”
“Cletus. You spent half your engagement party complaining about having to be there and the other half being questioned by the police, and you want me to throw an event to announce the fact that Drew and I had sex that resulted in the begetting of offspring? All while I try to keep from breathing in through my nose?”
“When you put it like that, no.” Cletus, a smile finally claiming his features, exhaled an enormous breath and positively beamed at his sister. “Wow, Ash. Congratulations,” he said softly, sincerely, gazing at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
My heart warmed as I looked between the two siblings.
“Thank you, Cletus—”
“I was talking to myself.” His smile became a sinister grin, and he rubbed his hands together, shooting me an excited look. “This is going to be so good. I’ll be the godfather, of course.”
“Of course.” Ashley, voice flat, popped a lemon candy in her mouth and spoke around it, shaking her head at her brother. “Let me just sit down and we can pick out colleges.”
I walked back to the table and sat, picking up my tea and feeling buoyed by this wonderful news. Selfishly, I hoped Ash and Drew would make Cletus the godfather, then maybe I’d be the godmother. I’d always wanted to be one. Regardless, a new baby! To cuddle and kiss. I couldn’t wait.
“Yes. Colleges. Good idea. And it’d be great if she were a girl. Just throwing that request out there.” Cletus gave Ashley his signature somber nod.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she drawled, trying to look irritated. Mostly, she looked amused.
“And, obviously, your mission with Jackson is canceled.”
“What? Why?” Ashley pulled off her jacket.
“I don’t want him sniffing around you while you’re in such a delicate condition. One look at his face and you’d barf for sure.” Cletus turned back to the table, sitting down in front of his hot coffee. “We’ll find another way.”
“You are a loon.” She set her jacket and her purse on the kitchen counter. “Besides, I already did it.”
“What?” He glanced over his shoulder at her, frowning.
“That’s right.” Ash pulled her long sleeves up to her elbows. “Drew sent me a message after he met with you, to give me a heads-up, so I texted Jackson and we had dinner last night.”
I hid my smile behind another sip of tea.
“Jenn, take note. Never underestimate the effect my sister has on blond law enforcement.”
She rolled her eyes. “And I think I got you some good stuff, so listen up, I have to leave here in an hour for work.” Ash pulled out the chair next to mine, her movements still a little stiff, her nose slightly wrinkled like the kitchen stank.