Page 103 of Heartbeats & Highways

“You guys load the dishwasher,” Duke said to Waverly and Sailor. “Savage and I will bring you the plates.”

Willa and I went inside.

“Savage didn’t tell me you guys lived out in the country,” I said as we trekked down the hallway.

“We needed the space,” Willa explained. “And we really do love it out here.”

“I’d love it too,” I admitted. “I grew up on a farm. The smells and sounds are familiar to me.”

Willa nodded. “It took a little getting used to. The wind would change and suddenly all I’d smell were the neighbor’s sheep. But the house is big, and Waverly and Sailor bunk together in the apartment attached to the shop.”

We climbed the stairs, and I placed my hand on the wood railing.

“This is the nursery,” Willa said, opening the door next to the master bedroom.

The room was painted sage green. A mural of baby animals and a circus took up one entire wall.

“This is beautiful,” I remarked.

“Brielle,” Willa said with a smile. “It was all Brielle.”

“No way,” I said with a laugh. “She has incredible skill.”

“Don’t I know it.” She took a seat in the rocking chair in the corner and placed her hand on her belly. “I’m ready for her to be out of me.”

I laughed. “Little quirk of nature, huh? Otherwise, we’d just get bigger and bigger . . .”

I went around the room, examining the furniture, running my hand across the smooth railing of the crib.

It was expensive, and sturdy.

“Savage said you’re having twins,” Willa said softly, her gaze trained on me. “That must’ve been a shock.”

“Yes. It was. Almost as much of a shock as finding out I was pregnant.”

Willa began to rock in the chair. “Savage also mentioned you were married . . .”

She trailed off, obviously waiting for me to expound and explain my situation.

“Yes, I was married. He passed away not too long ago. I know how it looks,” I said softly. “It’s been a whirlwind, believe me. I didn’t expect—I fell in love with Savagefast. Before I even knew I was pregnant.”

“Of course you fell in love with him quickly,” she said. “It’s Savage. He’s impossible not to love. But Evie . . . you’repregnant. I understand the hormones, believe me. But are you sure you’re not just latching on to the first person that’s offered you security and stability?”

“That was blunt.”

“I know. But I can’t really tip-toe around it.”

“Yeah,” I murmured. “I guess you can’t.”

Willa didn’t really know me. All she saw was that I was a young, pregnant woman, in love with her best friend who was willing to raise my babies as his own. I could see how from the outside, it looked like this wouldn’t last.

Only Savage and I knew what we had and what we were made of. It might’ve been early in our relationship, but I knew it was special and no one could convince me otherwise.

“I need to use the restroom,” I said, wanting a moment to escape the heaviness of our conversation.

“Sure thing. There’s a bathroom down the hall,” she replied.

I walked out of the nursery and found the bathroom. I closed the door and leaned against it, breathing heavily for a moment. The room was hot. Old houses had a ton of quirks, and this one was no different.

---