I was so caught up in nerves, I didn’t notice that there were cars parked along the entire drive.
“Is someone having a party?” Ashley asked.
“Um, I don’t know.”
“Look!” Luna yelled from the back seat as she pointed at a large stork bouncy house.
“It looks like a baby shower,” Ashley commented.
She was right. Well, half right.
“It’s a birthday baby shower, look Luna.” I pointed as we drove up to the house where there was a banner that read: Happy 5th Birthday Luna.
Before I stopped the car, Luna had hopped out and ran full steam toward Hank who was standing on the porch with his brothers, sister, Reagan, Isabella, and Mrs. Birch. But they weren’t the only people there. It looked like he’d invited half the town.
“Did you know about this?” Ashley asked, sounding as shocked as I was.
“No.” I shook my head as I looked over at her.
She just stared at me, her mouth opened then closed, then opened again. “I don’t even know what to say.”
That made two of us. Hank had done the impossible, he’d thrown my baby girl a surprise dream birthday party and rendered my sister speechless.
If I didn’t already think I was falling in love, this would have definitely tipped the scales in that direction.
CHAPTER 26
Hank
“If you have something to say, say it,” I commanded.
Both of my brothers had been giggling like schoolgirls behind me for the past fifteen minutes as I flipped burgers on the barbeque.
“We just never thought we’d see the day that you planned and hosted a baby shower. Not even if it was your wife that was expecting.” Jimmy chuckled.
“While wearing a friendship bracelet,” Billy added cracking Jimmy up even more.
“I’m full of surprises,” I mumbled beneath my breath.
I didn’t care that my brothers were finding so much amusement in the party or my bracelet. To see the looks on Luna and Skylar’s faces when they drove up, I’d take all the shit talking they dished out happily. Especially since they’d both busted their asses to make it happen.
“Okay, it’s time for games!” Cheyenne announced, standing beside Reagan and Isabella in the center of the field. “If everyone could gather around!”
“It’s a baby shower. Why are we playing games?” Billy asked.
“Is there food involved?” Jimmy said at the same time.
I ignored my brothers as I removed the patties from the grill and set them on a paper plate.
“Let’s go,” I headed across the field and saw that Luna, Skylar and her sister had joined the other women. My brothers followed behind me.
“Alright, first up is Don’t Drop the Egg Baby Relay Race! We’re splitting up into teams!” Cheyenne announced and Luna cheered. Cheyenne pretended to be holding a microphone that she pointed down at Luna. “Okay, birthday girl, who would you like to be on your team? Pick three people.”
“Mr. Hank, Mommy, and Lee Lee.”
Jimmy elbowed me. “You got top billing.”
I ignored him.
“Alright, that is team number one.” Cheyenne called out. “Line up behind the birthday girl!”
I could feel all eyes on me as I walked over to where Luna, Ashley, and Skylar were standing in a single file line facing my sister. I heard whispers, and out loud conversations through the crowd of shock that I would be playing. I ignored it, just like I had my brothers.
As I walked past Luna she reached up and held out her hand and I gave her a high five. Ashley did the same. Skylar did not. Her hands were both settled over her stomach.
I wondered if she swallowed butterflies, I thought to myself.
I took my place behind her and was tempted to lean down and ask her if she had, but this wasn’t the time or place. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the fact that I made her nervous. This was the first time we’d seen each other since the kiss that could have easily melted Iceland it was so hot.
I’d been busy the past few days and hadn’t been getting home until midnight and then I was out the door again at four a.m. Which was why I’d overslept this morning and had to call in reinforcements to make the party happen.
Several times today Skylar had approached me, I think to thank me, but we’d always get interrupted before she got out more than those two words.
I wasn’t going to ask her if she’d swallowed butterflies, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to talk to her. I put my left hand on her hip, so no one could see, leaned down and whispered, “Sorry I lied about the pipe bursting.”
Beneath my palm, I felt her shiver. I wasn’t sure if it was from my touch or my voice or my breath on her neck, but I liked the physical proof that I affected her whatever it was.
“Thank you so much for—” Her words trailed off when she glanced back at me over her shoulder and our mouths were inches apart.
Our breaths mingled and for a split second, I forgot where we were or the fact that half of Firefly was watching our every move.
A whistle sounded and Skylar blinked and turned back, so she was facing forward. Trying not to think about how close I’d just been to heaven which, make no mistake, that is what Skylar Thompson’s lips were, I tried to distract myself.
I looked up and saw that Cheyenne had taken her place in the front of everyone with a whistle in her mouth. I should’ve never given her that whistle. She’d asked for it after volunteering to be the MC. I’d thought it was a bad idea, but apparently, I still couldn’t say no to my sister. And as annoying as the whistle was, it did seem to be working.
The teams had all assembled quickly, each one had a child and three adults. I noticed that both of my brothers were on opposing teams. They were eyeing each other and me. Mainly me.
They’d always been extremely competitive. It didn’t matter if it was racing up the front porch steps or shot-gunning a beer, if there could be a winner, they both went for the gold.
I’d never considered myself in competition with either of them since I was six and ten years older respectively. I stayed out of their constant one-upping. But I could see in their eyes that this was the moment they’d been waiting for. They were ready to go head to head with me. They were like bulls in a shoot snorting and pawing their feet, ready to be let loose.
“You ready old man?” Jimmy yelled at me even though he was standing a few feet away from me.
“He’s not an old man!” Luna defended me and her crown slipped. She righted it and tugged her sash up on her shoulder.
Isabella swatted Jimmy’s arm.
“Sorry, Princess.” Jimmy dipped his head in a bow toward Luna. “You’re right. He’s not.”
Luna appeared satisfied with his contrition and returned her attention to Cheyenne.
“Looks like someone’s got a bodyguard.” Ashley glanced back at me with a twinkle in her eye.
I smiled. I’d never thought of myself as needing anyone to defend me, but if I was going to pick someone, Luna would be my first choice.
Ashley turned her head back to the front as Cheyenne went over the rules. I hadn’t got to say more than two words to Skylar’s sister, but she’d been watching me all day. I could tell that she was protective of Skylar and Luna, which made me instantly like her.