Page 118 of My Brother's Best Friends

“Ah, look at that, one goes out, another one comes in,” Janet notes.

Indeed, another car is already scooting up the driveway.

It’s Bryan’s Mercedes, straight from the city. It always looks out of place here in the country. My guys traded their road-friendlyluxury cars for practical rides. Kellan and Alex both own trucks, while Oscar opted for an SUV. We take the SUV whenever we head into town. Like the guys have said since day one—we make it work.

“Just in time, too,” I exclaim.

I have to scoop Laney up from the ground to make sure she doesn’t totter over before Bryan’s finished parking. She squirms in my arms, reaching out because she knows who is coming.

“Byby!” Laney calls out with the purest, sweetest joy.

The car eases to the very end of the driveway, just a few feet from where we stand. As soon as Bryan and Callie get out, I set Laney down so that she can run to greet her uncle. He picks her up and spins her around, throwing her on his shoulders before coming over to greet us.

“Glad you brought an overnight bag this time,” I tell my brother as Alex and Kellan rush to the trunk to help Callie with the luggage.

“Well, it was a shame not to, given the conversion you made downstairs,” Bryan replies. “Now, my wife and I get to enjoy coffee on your porch.”

“Not just dinner,” Callie quips. “We’re basically weekend freeloaders, now.”

We’re all laughing, but Bryan shakes his head. “No, ma’am. We brought pie from one of your favorite bakeries in the city. We did not come here empty handed.”

“Nor would we mind if you did,” Oscar says. “You’re always welcome, always wanted, pie or not.”

“But pie is always a welcome bonus,” Alex adds.

We even add an extension out back for extra bedrooms—one for Laney and future siblings. Downstairs, we expanded the kitchen and living room to give everyone room to breathe. Bryan and Callie can just draw the door shut on the old living room and have a tiny suite all to themselves.

“How was your drive up?” I ask.

“It was fine,” she says, “the seat was a little bit uncomfortable, more so than usual. I’m having some pain in my lower back.”

“Did you do anything to hurt yourself?” I wonder, looking at my friend with a sharper eye. There’s a glow about Callie, a glow I recognize, but I keep my mouth shut, just in case she hasn’t broken the news to my brother yet.

“No, nothing like that,” she insists.

We share a moment where I think she’s telling me that my suspicions are correct, but nobody says anything. On the inside, however, I am already giddy.

“How is your sister?” I ask about halfway through dinner.

Bryan almost chokes on his spaghetti, prompting a dry chuckle out of Kellan. “Kay, come on,” my brother jokingly berates me. “Sensitive topic.”

“Sorry, Callie,” I say, half-smiling.

“No, no, it’s okay, and I think we need to always be open about everything in this family,” she says, then gently stops Oscar from pouring wine into her glass. “None for me, thank you.”

“It’s one of Kay’s,” Oscar replies.

“Not tonight,” Callie politely insists.

My husbands have yet to catch on, but I’ve been picking up on a few more signs that my suspicions are, in fact, correct. Fortunately, making sure Laney eats all her food keeps me busy enough to not fuss about containing my excitement at soon becoming an aunt.

“So… Melanie,” Callie sighs deeply. “We’re not in contact anymore.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say, lowering my gaze.

“I’m not,” Janet scoffs.

Bryan can’t help but agree. “Right with you there, Jan.”

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