Page 107 of Lone Star Longing
“But not Beck?”
“Beck doesn't owe me anything. Not that you do,” she added quickly. “But I’m not going to tie him to Broken Wheel. I’m not going to have him resent being here because of me.”
“Oh. My. God. Beck is not your mother.”
Lacey flinched at Poppy’s adept observation. “He’s used to traveling, to seeing the world. He has a passport, and not just to go into Mexico for cheap booze. He isn’t the kind to stay in one place for so long. I’m not going to be the reason he has to.”
“Sounds to me like he made the choice.”
“Yes, he did, but he doesn't know how he’s going to feel in a couple of years, or even longer. He couldn't wait to get away from here before. It’s going to happen again.”
*****
LACEY NEEDED TO PUSHBeck away. She knew she did. But seeing him in person at The Wheel House put all those thoughts on hold. He kissed her when he got there, but none of their friends seemed surprised, so Poppy must have filled them in.
“Hey, we want to have a baby shower for you,” Ginny announced. “We’ll do it here, so we have plenty of room for everyone. We should probably do it next month, right, since twins tend to come early? Have you registered anywhere? What do you need? What days are good for you?”
“Let’s just do it on a regular Sunday get-together,” Poppy said. “We can do a co-ed shower. Do you want to invite your family?”
Lacey nodded, embarrassed. “Marianne offered to give me one, too, so I am sure she’d help.” Lacey wasn't wild about the idea of being the center of attention at a shower, but her practical said told her she needed to get a head-start on what she needed for these babies.
“I mean your mom, your sister and brothers.”
“I can set aside rooms for them at the motel,” Sofia offered when Lacey hesitated.
“We can invite them, I guess, but I’m pretty sure they won’t come.” She couldn't remember the last time she talked to her brothers, and her sister’s husband was really busy. She couldn't see them coming out just for a weekend. There was no easy and quick way to get to Broken Wheel from Houston.
She kind of wanted them to come, though, which surprised her. She kind of wanted them to make an effort, just for her, to get here. She just had to convince herself not to be disappointed when they didn't show up.
“So what’s the word on the birthing class?” Beck asked when it was time for him to head back to Midland, pulling her into his arms as he leaned back against the truck. Her tummy made intimacy a little harder, so she leaned back against his arms instead of pressing forward into his body.
“I think you can skip this one,” she said. “We’re going to learn about postpartum care, and I’d really rather you not think about me in that condition.”
He pressed his lips together and she knew that was not the answer he wanted. But it was the only one she was prepared to give.
“If you want, you can come the week after next. They’re going to teach us how to diaper and bathe the baby, all that practical stuff.”
She couldn't believe she was inviting him to that. She couldn't imagine he’d ever have occasion to use the knowledge, because she couldn't imagine herself giving him any of those tasks to do. But the invitation put a light in his eyes that made her glad she’d offered, and he pulled her forward to kiss her.
“I can’t wait.”
*****
SOFIA, HAILEY, POPPY, Marianne and Lacey met at the diner to plan the shower. Since Ginny was on shift, she just popped over once in a while to see what they’d planned. Again, Lacey wasn't too happy about being the center of attention, but the five of them needed to coordinate to set the date, figure out who to invite, and what to serve.
“I’m sorry if it will be awkward for you and Dad if I invite Mom,” Lacey said to Marianne.
“It’ll be weird, but she has moved on and she had to know he would, too. She’s your mother. You have to invite her.”
“Not even sure she’ll come, so there’s that,” Lacey said, forcing a laugh.
“Of course she will. You’re her daughter, and this is your first baby shower.”
Lacey didn't want to say that Marianne had never known her mother, and she wasn't exactly the most affectionate of mothers.
“Let’s not go to a lot of trouble,” Lacey said. “Just a cake, some drinks. That’s all.”
“No, we’re going to have finger sandwiches and salad,” Ginny said.
