Page 130 of Mended Hearts

“Come along, sweet pea.”

I followed her out into the morning sun, the Florida humidity already sticking to my skin as we padded barefoot across the grass. Juniper Rhodes in her sundress with tea in hand was a full-blown Earth goddess, and she led me right into the sanctuary of her garden, settling me into one of the hanging egg chairs like I was one of her babies again.

The second she tucked the blanket around my lap, my throat threatened mutiny.

“So,” she said brightly, tucking her own legs up into the chair beside me, “what is it you need to tell me?”

“How do you do that?” I sipped my tea just to stall.

“All mothers know when their babies are carrying something too heavy.”

God, I hoped that was true. Hoped I’d be even half the mother she was. Because at this rate, I was gonna need backup.

I looked around the yard—our family’s oasis. The garden overflowing with blooms. The string lights over the movie screen my brother had built. Everything about this place screamed love. It was sacred ground.

I wanted this. Every piece of it. A partner I’d still dance with, barefoot in the grass at sixty. Kids who came home because they felt safe with us. Becausewewere home.

Mama let the silence stretch, unafraid of it. She’d waited out far more stubborn kids than me.

“I still say Christmas in eighty-degree weather is sacrilege.”

“And yet you’re here a day early,” she pointed out helpfully, all false innocence.

“Yep.” I nodded, my lips twitching. Okay. I could do this. Just…go for it. Right into the deep end. Three, two, one. “Mama… I’m pregnant.”

She blinked. Twice. Then her mouth fell open, tears immediately springing to her eyes.

“Oh, Leigh. No wonder you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Gee,thanks, Mama.”

“Well, you do! You’re not exactly known for uncertainty, darling.”

She had me there.

“So. How far along?”

“Nine and a half weeks.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Queasy,” I admitted.

“And your heart?”

“OB says everything looks good, but I’ll see cardio after the holidays.”

“Good. That’s good.” Her smile was tender. “And your mind?”

I broke.

Lip wobbling, I didn’t even get the words out before she poured out of her chair and landed on her knees in front of mine, wrapping up my hands in hers. “Oh, honey,” she breathed as the tears poured down my cheeks.

“I’m petrified,” I whispered.

“I know, baby. But you are not alone. Pax, Alice, and Kaia will be there in Emerald Bay. And you know you always,alwayshave a room here.”

I sniffled and nodded, throat tight.

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