Page 5 of Rival Hearts

Brody shook his head and then paused. “Yeah, actually. It’s probably nothing. The closer she gets to her due date, the longer she takes in the bathroom. But just in case…”

“Of course,” Jett said. “I’ll be right back.”

Jett walked back inside and to the ground floor bathroom where she knocked on the door.

“Give me a minute,” Hannah called behind the closed door.

“No, you’re fine,” Jett said. “Brody just wanted me to check on you and make sure you’re all good.”

“Thanks,” Hannah said, “but I’m okay, besides this pipsqueak laying directly on my bladder and making me need to pee constantly.”

Jett laughed. “Okay, well I’ll leave you to it,” she said and walked away. She was heading toward the back porch again when someone put their arms around her from behind.

Jett turned around and smiled once she saw who it was.

“Aunt Becky!” she said. Even though she saw her aunt regularly at work- Becky Thompson was the legendary Fire Chief of Phoenix Ridge, it was always nice to see her on her off times.

“Hey, peanut,” Becky said, using Jett’s dad’s nickname for her. Apparently when Jett was born, the nurse told her dad that she looked like a peanut and Jett’s dad called her that until he died. Jett used to hate when people called her peanut because it reminded her of her dad, but now she loved it for the same reason.

“Where is everyone?” Becky asked.

“Momma and Brody are outside, and Hannah is in the bathroom,” Jett said. “Where’s Ember? I’m guessing she couldn’t make it.”

Ember was Becky’s daughter and Jett’s cousin.

Becky shook her head. “She’s working on a project right now, but she said she might come over later.”

“I’ll be crossing my fingers then,” Jett said.

Becky laughed. “If she does come, I’m sure she’ll be bringing Natalie. I know how much you love that little girl.”

“Yes,” Jett said, “I’m extra excited now. You know I can’t wait until Brody and Hannah have their baby so I can spoil that little one as well.” Jett adored Ember’s daughter, Natalie.

Becky laughed. “You definitely fit the stereotype of the fun lesbian aunt.”

“Good,” Jett said, “because that’s all I want in life.”

Becky gave Jett another hug. “Let’s go find the rest of the family.”

Becky and Jett walked outside and found Brody with a cigarette in his hand. Both Becky and Jett frowned.

Brody raised his hand. “Before you say anything, I only smoke outside and away from Hannah. Plus I’m working on quitting.”

“I hate those things,” Jett said.

“And I’ve experienced too many fires because of them,” Becky added.

“I know,” Brody said, “which is why I’m down to about one cigarette a day and I’m going to try to quit completely by the time the baby’s born.”

Jett nodded. She still hated that her brother smoked, but she knew that he was trying and it meant a lot to her. “I’m proud of you,” she said, deciding to focus on the positive instead of the negative.

Brody smiled. “So how have you all been?”

“Good,” Becky said.

“Josephine couldn’t make it?” Jett’s mom asked.

“No,” Becky said. “Apparently yesterday was a full moon and she has a lot of paperwork to catch up on.”

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