Page 42 of When She Needs Them Most

Here’s hoping the two of them are on board.

Kase begins to clean up the dishes, and Lincoln frowns at Sky as she whines at his feet. That’s all his mess. He spoiled her rotten when she was a pup. Now she expects three leisurely walks a day, in addition to having access to the spacious backyard.

Lincoln straps Sky into her harness and gives Chelsea a kiss on the cheek. His gaze meets mine, and the look on his face screams something. I’m not sure exactly what, but I assume it’s similar to my need to keep her here.

“I should probably get home, anyway,” Chelsea says to Lincoln. “I don’t know where my jacket is, but it’s getting late.”

“I have something for you,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’m more than happy to accompany you home afterward.”

“Your coat is in the closet by the door.” Lincoln tilts his head toward it. “But I’ve got to get Sky out there before she has a fit.”

“You’ll stay and open my gift?” I ask, leading Chelsea to the sectional. If she gets comfortable, maybe she won’t push to leave.

Would it be inappropriate to inform her she lives here now? Why does it even need to be a question?

She’s alone and vulnerable. We’re more than capable of looking after her. We should be able to politely indicate that she won’t be returning to Mrs. Wilson’s dilapidated rental house.

Fine, it’s not technically unlivable, but it’s not up to the standard needed for me to feel comfortable with Chelsea and the baby being over there alone.

I help Chelsea settle onto the long end of the couch and stride off to grab the gifts. It took me an extra hour to get home this evening, but I had no desire to arrive empty-handed.

I briefly considered grabbing a card to include, but I ultimately decided that quietly courting Chelsea is the way to go. She lost her daughter’s father while pregnant. That would take a toll on anyone.

For now, I believe it’s best to show her our interest without any added pressure. Once she can trust that we’ll be available when she needs us, then we can verbalize our intentions.

Coming back into the living room, I take a seat at her side and hand her the first box. “One for you.” I drop the other in my lap. “And one for Luna.”

Chelsea’s head tilts, and she smiles softly, blinking up at me under her lashes. “I appreciate it, but I’m so confused. I feel like I should be buying the three of you gifts for all the hospitality.”

I chuckle, tucking her dirty blonde hair behind her ear. “Consider it a housewarming present. Please, open it.”

Her teeth dig into her lower lip, and she nods before focusing on the package. Wrapping her fingers in the black ribbon, she tugs. It falls away, and she lifts the top of the box, shaking it free from the bottom and setting it aside.

My heart thunders, watching her simple movements. She’s stunning, and that’s plain to see. I genuinely fucking hope she likes it, and that I’m not wildly overstepping.

She refocuses on the package, grabbing the tissue paper and flipping it out of the way.

It’s a wool peacoat that I selected after ensuring Linc took care of purchasing a maternity coat. She’s very close to her due date, but even after she gives birth, she’ll need something extra warm. The temperature gets much colder here than it does on the coast. The mountains are to thank for that, and I needed to be sure she has something to last at least the rest of this season.

Chelsea slides her hands over the material and lifts it free of the box.

I collect the package, stretch over to grab the lid, and toss it in a pile on the floor. “You’ll be giving birth to Luna just before the coldest months of the season. January and February are frigid, but this year has been unseasonably chilly. Linc handled grabbing a maternity coat, but this is for after you deliver. It should be roomy enough to fit the other gift.”

I grimace.

Way to ruin the surprise.

Chelsea drops the jacket onto her lap, and I offer the other gift. “The jacket is lovely. It reminds me a little of the one Lincoln helped me pick out. How did you know I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to wear it for very long?”

I smile, shrugging. “I didn’t, but it’s much colder here than it is on the East Coast. It seemed like a reasonable compromise, so that way, I won’t give myself an ulcer worrying about if you’re warm enough.”

“Thank you. It’s great.” She stretches a hand over, patting my thigh.

My instincts pull me to stretch my arm over her shoulders as I scoot closer. “Now, open the little one’s gift.”

Chelsea struggles with the box but gets the lid off. She tugs the baby carrier out and checks it out while I dispose of the box. It’s a fancy brand that Joyce highly recommended. She also helped me choose the proper size of the postpartum jacket, based on the size of her maternity coat. It’s a fit-and-flare style that will make it possible for her to baby wear if she chooses.

I ramble out all the details like a used car salesman desperate to meet my monthly commission goals.

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