Page 37 of Wolves & Watercolors
Hazel shakes her head. “No, and it’s fine. Sable has some options for emergencies, but I can handle this. I’m in the best shape of my life. It’ll be fine.”
I want to argue with her. There’s no reason for her to go through that pain. But she looks confident, and it’s her choice.
“You should go enjoy your day. You can come back when things are getting serious, okay?” She pats my knee. “I just want to relax and read for a bit.”
“Gotta squeeze one more book in before baby?” I tease.
“What are you up to today?” she asks.
“Oh, Cedar got new chicks for the coop and I helped him place them with a mama hen. She accepted them right away. It was really cool.”
“Sounds cool.” Her cheeks indent and her eyebrows raise an almost imperceptible amount. “Still enjoying spending time with Cedar?”
I bristle at the not-so-casual question. “He’s my friend.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, we can be friends. I’m not flirting.” I refuse to cross my arms like I want to. She must buy it, because she nods and leans back against her pillows.
“And goodness knows, he doesn’t know how to flirt,” Hazel says with a giggle.
He doesn’t need to flirt.I bite back the thought. “So he was going to make some cheese and I think I’m going to go help.”
“Jealous. I’ve never done that. It seems complicated.”
“Want me to bring you some of the cheese?”
She smooths her hands over her belly and presses against her hip in the spot I know is hurting her. “It probably won’t be ready for a while. They age it, right?”
“I have no idea. I guess I’ll find out. I’ll bring you some if I can.” Reluctantly, I climb off the bed. “Don’t have the baby without me, Mama.”
“No promises. You better get back here in time. But seriously, give me some peace and quiet. This will be my last chance to be alone for who knows how long.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I hesitate at the door, soaking in the sight of my wonderful big sister. She’s glowing, a halo of radiance around her warm skin and dark hair. A contented smile curves her mouth, and I’m reminded how much she loves her life now. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted for her. But under that, jealousy twinges under my breastbone. Maybe someday I will feel the same sense of belonging and confidence in my skin.
Trotting down the stairs, I look around to see if there is anything I can help with. Dishes to wash, laundry to fold. I want to be useful. But everything is tidy. Slate has even hung up my paintings in the nursery already. Baby Daddy has it covered. Some of the tension relaxes from my shoulders, and I head toward the door.
She wants me to go have a good day while she relaxes and lets her body do its thing? Sure. I’ll go make some cheese.
Cedar is still in the garden. He sits on the end of the garden bed that I helped him plant and picks out some of the baby plants.
“What are you doing?” I ask cheerfully.
He looks up, sweeping over me in an analytical way. “Thinning. Everything good with Hazel?”
“Yeah, she’s started labor. But she said to not come back until tonight. She wants to relax during these early stages.”
“So the baby is coming?” He stands, letting a pile of greenery tumble to the gravel path.
“Sometime tomorrow or maybe late tonight I expect.”
His gray-blue eyes connect with mine and widen with excitement. I want to squeal and jump up and down, though anxiety over my sister giving birth weighs me down. Cedar seems to see all of this. “It’s going to be fine. She’ll do great. Sable has helped with dozens of babies. She knows what she’s doing.”
I let his strong arms pull me into a hug. The feel of his chest against my cheek calms the buzzing under my skin. The warmth radiates out to my fingers and toes.
“Thanks,” I murmur. “I’m so excited, but also…”
