way he moved and kicked while she did it told her anything.
“Hey,” August said, opening her door.
“It looks great,” she said, turning sideways and putting both feet onto the ground before attempting to stand. August took her hand and steadied her, and Etta gave him a grateful smile. “Look, we have a chimney and a roof now.”
“It’s coming along,” August said, his eyes trained on her. “Are you okay, Etta?”
“Just tired,” she said, knowing she looked pale this morning too. She was nine months pregnant and due with her first baby any day now. She and August were only having one baby, and Etta was secretly glad she hadn’t gotten twins with her first pregnancy the way Ida had.
“You didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Sorry if I kept you awake,” Etta said, finally facing her husband. She’d finally gotten up around three-thirty, slipped out of the bedroom at the Top Cottage, and settled on the couch, where the flickering TV could entertain her while she dozed.
“I fell back asleep fast,” he said. He’d been up early to study for his exam that week, and he’d finish another class in the vet tech program that he’d started in January by the end of August.
Etta stepped carefully with him as they picked their way toward the house. They came here about once a week just to see the progress on the house, and they sat on the front steps, which faced the town of Three Rivers. The view wasn’t as good as that at the Ranch House, but Etta loved it all the same. This would be her house—hers with August and their family—and she couldn’t wait to move in.
“Bishop is saying by Christmas,” August said.
“Okay.” Etta didn’t mind waiting for the dream home, because she’d learned to take life slowly in the past year. August had asked her to marry him just over a year ago, and her life had drastically changed. She didn’t want to live in waiting mode. She wanted to enjoy every day right where she was in her life.
She settled onto the top step, pain moving up her back and down her left leg. She groaned and adjusted her position while August waited for her to get comfortable. When she finally found a good spot, he sat next to her. “I don’t want to have the baby on your birthday,” she said, leaning into him.
“Mine’s not for another week,” he said.
“I could easily go another week.”
“I hope not,” August said.
“Me either.” Etta sighed. “But it sure doesn’t feel like he’s going to come any time soon.”
Etta had plenty of examples to look to for how to tell if she was in labor. Zona had given birth to another girl only three days after Etta and August had gotten married. They’d been in Upstate New York, and it had nearly killed Etta to meet her new niece via a picture over a text. They’d named her April Rivers Glover, and Etta did like the subtle nod to the town where Zona and Duke had both grown up.
Willa had survived her pregnancy, but she’d opted for a Cesarean section instead of having to endure labor. That had given her some relief for her anxiety, and it had allowed her to avoid having to push, which would’ve been very difficult for her physically.
She and Cactus had named their little girl Melissa Elly, and Etta could’ve died from the cuteness of the girl. She had Willa’s lighter red hair, and she’d been born with a head full of it. And watching Cactus carry that pudgy baby around would melt the iciest of hearts, that was for certain.
Montana had gone into labor early, in Etta’s presence, and she knew what labor pain looked like on another person’s face. She hadn’t taken even a moment to panic, and she had Montana in her truck before she could get Bishop in off the ranch. They’d taken her truck to the hospital, which was a good reason for Etta to be the first in their room to meet Georgia Everly Glover, yet another girl for the family.
Montana had wanted a state name for her daughter, and there was nothing cuter than Georgia, in Etta’s opinion. She and August had been back and forth on their own baby’s name, and they still hadn’t decided on one definitively.
Her lower back ached, and Etta huffed out her breath. “I can’t sit here. It hurts.” She started to get up, and the tightness relieved slightly. August didn’t let go of