“Let’s go sit. My ankles are swollen after being on my feet all day.”
Landon grabbed his portable fire department radio off the counter and followed her into the living room, taking a seat next to her on the sofa. Their dog, Horace, who was Homer Junior’s brother, jumped onto the sofa and settled on her lap.
She put her feet on a pillow that she placed on the coffee table as she stroked the dog’s ears. “Ah, that’s much better. On days like this, it’s hard to believe that pregnancy is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world. I feel like I got hit by a bus.”
“Are you working too hard?”
“Maybe, but I’d go crazy stuck at home. I like being at the diner and seeing everyone.”
“Still, you ought to take it easy. People can refill their own coffee.”
She gave him a curious look. “That’s actually not a bad idea. Two strategically placed stations would save me a lot of walking.”
“Do it. No one would mind.”
“I’ll see what Hunter and Elmer think.”
“You know they’ll be all for anything that makes it easier on you.”
“They will. Elmer is on me every day about overdoing it.”
“That sounds like him. He adores you.”
“And I adore him right back.” She gave him a curious look and lowered her voice. “Things with Amanda seem good. You two are very cute together.”
Landon glanced toward the open door of the room where Hunter and Amanda were talking about scales and registers. “Are we?”
“Very.”
“We’ve had a lot going on, and that’s about to become even more so.” Amanda had shared her news about Stella with Hunter and Megan over dinner, and they’d pretended to hear it for the first time. Landon felt guilty about that, but he had a feeling she wouldn’t mind that he’d shared it with them.
“The news about her daughter is incredible, even if it’s coming from a very sad event for Stella and her mom.”
“I know. Amanda is elated but trying to keep it in check in light of what they’re going through.”
“That’s got to be a very fine line for her to walk.”
“It is. I’m glad we had these plans with you guys so she had something fun to do to get through the hours before her call at nine.”
Megan rested a hand on her pregnant belly. “I’m trying to imagine what it would be like to talk to your child for the first time twelve years after you gave birth to them.”
“I can’t get my head around what she must be feeling. I’m just trying to be as supportive as I can be.”
“It’s hard for you, because you two are starting something new and possibly important, and this has thrown a curveball into everything.”
“Yeah.”
“As much as you want to be part of this thing with her and Stella, it’s really going to be about the two of them at first. You know that, right?”
He nodded. “I’m trying to figure out how I fit into it.”
“It’s a big deal that she’s making plans to stay here. I think that’s in large part because of you.”
“I hope so.”
“It is, Landon. Of course it is. She could go anywhere, but she’s choosing to stay here.”
“She also likes the town and is interested in our family’s business.”
“Mostly, though, she’s interested in you.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“You don’t?”
“I do. It’s just that I’m not sure if we’re looking at a long-term thing or a fling.”
“Has she asked you to be part of what’s happening with her daughter?”
“Yes, but—”
Megan held up her hand to stop him. “That’s all you need to know.”
“How do you mean?”
“If she wasn’t looking beyond the temporary with you, there’s no way she’d ask you to be part of her relationship with Stella. I’m not a mother yet, but I’m one hundred percent confident about that much.”
“Huh. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“I think you need to chill and enjoy the ride. Don’t overthink it.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“Because you legitimately care about her. That’s why everything seems so unsettled.”
“Is that what happened to you when you were first with Hunter?”
“Totally. I had no idea how he felt about me, and when he clued me in, I felt like I was skiing the black diamonds in the fog with no poles.”
“Yikes. How long did that last?”
“Awhile. Until I caught up to him. Love is a funny thing. It’s the best feeling in the world, but it also comes with so many secondary emotions.”