Page 27 of The Hermit on the Hill

"Has he given any indication of wanting to do that?"

"No. But I don't know him at all, Jared. How can I possibly know what he's thinking?"

"The only way to find out what he's thinking is to talk to him. Isn't that what you're going to do at dinner tonight?"

I gasped. "Is there anything Sam didn't tell Brittany?"

Jared smirked. "Much to Brit's annoyance, he didn't tell her how he feels about you or the baby. All I can tell you is that she loves and trusts her brother, and I trust her. And, if that man tries to take my nephew away from you, he'll have to fight me and our whole family to do it." He winked. "And he'd lose."

I couldn't help but smile at that, a genuine smile. "He so would."

***

Jared and I were on the couch, watching a documentary about animal husbandry-yes, Jared picked the movie-when someone knocked on my door.

I glanced at the clock over the microwave. It wasn't even five, yet. Surely, Sam hadn't shown up for our dinner already?

Except that he had.

Sam stood, arms crossed over his broad chest, frown firmly in place, in the hallway outside my apartment. He had on jeans and a t-shirt that stretched over his impressive biceps. I licked my lips and focused on his face.

"You're early."

A blond woman snuck past Sam's shoulder and offered her hand. "I'm Sam's sister, Brittany. It's so nice to meet you. Congratulations."

"Thank you." I shook her hand. "Do you live in town?"

"I don't live anywhere." Brittany looked over my shoulder, her smile lighting up her beautiful face when she caught sight of my brother. "Hey, Jared. How are you?"

Thankfully, Jared had scrubbed off the mud and blood and showered before we'd started our documentary. I stepped aside so Brittany could go in and talk to my brother.

"Gonna invite me in?" Sam asked.

"Why are you here so early?"

"Brittany and I were in town. No point driving all the way home just to have to come back here to get you."

"Oh. Makes sense." Why was I disappointed that he had a reasonable explanation? "You're welcome to come in. Can I get you a drink?"

"No." Sam stepped inside. My apartment wasn't tiny, but between him and Jared, it was starting to seem miniscule.

"Okay, well, if you don't need anything. I'll go get ready."

And I just walked away from all of them. I shut myself in the bathroom and took a shower. I even shaved my legs, because the only clothes left that might fit me were dresses. Seemingly overnight, my belly had grown and, even with a button popped, my jeans didn't fit anymore.

I took my time dressing, but left my hair down to dry naturally because I hated hair dryers. After pulling on my loosest sun dress, I put on a touch of make-up and my favorite earrings, and stepped out of my room.

Three more steps and the dress tightened on my belly and rode up. I tugged it down. It was definitely time to shop for maternity clothes.

I found my traitorous brother, Sam, and Brittany in the baby's room talking in hushed voices and looking at my baby's things.

"Why wasn't I invited to the house tour?" I asked in my cheeriest voice, forcing my smile wide. "The baby's room is a bit of a mess, but I'll get it in order long before he arrives."

Why did I feel like I needed to make apologies? This baby was mine. I would be a damn good mother. It might not be the way I'd hoped and planned to have a baby, but I would make it work for both of us.

The three of them turned to me. Brittany beamed, Jared looked guilty, and Sam scowled murderously, his gaze narrowing as it trailed over my body. I tugged at the dress.

"This is amazing." Brittany's voice achieved the cheerfulness mine had failed to reach. "You could open your own baby boutique with all this stuff."

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