lead her on.”
Mariana shrugged and sat on the front step. “You didn’t. She saw something that wasn’t there. She’s a human—we do that all the time.”
Which was exactly why he’d tossed and turned all night. Wondering if he’d seen something in Jenessa last night that wasn’t there. Or what might’ve happened if he’d dared to believe there was.
He leaned against the cottage wall, one palm splayed on a shutter with peeling paint. He hadn’t missed the wistfulness on Jenessa’s face the other night when she’d said her aunt had picked out the color. But they could use a touch-up. Maybe sometime in between restoring the yard and attempting to mentor Noah and dealing with all his questions and confusions about the future, he could figure out the right paint color and freshen them up.
He lowered onto the step beside Mariana. “Due around New Year’s, huh?”
“Yes. Dale insisted on calling our doctor to make sure it was safe for me to fly this late in the game. For the record, if little he or she takes one day longer than expected in making his or her appearance in the world, I swear I will rip open every feather pillow in my house. Can you believe Dale asked me to stop going to the firing range? He’s worried about Baby’s hearing. I called Dr. Patella about that, too, but would Dale trust his assurances? No sir.”
Lucas chuckled. “I think it must take a special sort of guy to be married to a Bridgewell woman.”
Mariana paused. “Not a Bridgewell woman for much longer.”
He let out a breath. He’d had a feeling that was coming. As soon as he’d seen her last night, he’d assumed that’s why Flagg had begun prepping a replacement.
She seemed to read his train of thought. “I think Noah will fit in great.”
“He’s obstinate. Sarcastic. Pretty much a closed book.”
She grinned. “Like I said, he’ll fit in fine.”
“There’ll always be a place for you, you know. Having a kid doesn’t disqualify you from serving.”
“I know that. But leaving Dale for months at a time started getting old long ago. And besides, I’m forty-one. Might as well make way for the younger generation.”
“You just said you weren’t decrepit.”
“Maybe not, but did you know this”—she pointed to her stomach—“is considered a geriatric pregnancy? I literally watched a nurse circle that word on some form. That might actually be the moment I decided to tell Flagg I’m done. You see someone use the word ‘geriatric’ to describe you and I’m telling ya, it does something to you.”
His laughter joined hers. “Geriatric Mariana. Does have a certain ring to it.”
When he quieted, she looked over. “You know, Lucas, if you ever decide that there’s something you want more than you want this life with Bridgewell, there’s nothing wrong with that. Life goes in seasons.” Gnarled leaves skittered past their feet. “You’ve poured yourself into the team. You’ve sacrificed. We all have. But forever was never part of the deal.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. Didn’t know what she’d seen or not seen to prompt her words. But he knew, sure as autumn’s promise of shifting colors and coming cold, he’d needed to hear them.
“You are both geriatric and wise, Mariana.”
“I reject the first and happily accept the latter.” She struggled to stand and he jumped up, offering his hand as she straightened. She glanced behind her. “Someone else is waiting in line.”
Courtney. She padded out the front door as Mariana shuffled in.
“I just want to say—”
“Court, I—”
They started and stopped at the same time. He nodded at her. “Ladies first.”
Her posture was as rigid as if they were in line during a morning inspection but she was looking somewhere to the side of him. “I just want to say, it was stupid. It won’t happen again. And as for what I said on the phone . . .” She met his eyes. “Cruelty is weakness. And it’s not me. And I’m very sorry.”
“I could’ve handled things better.”
“Probably.” She shrugged. “You could’ve not gone and got shot in the first place. Then I might not have gotten emotional at the hospital and said what I said.”
The ease in her voice filled him with relief. He held out his hand. “Friends?”
She accepted the handshake. “No. Better. Teammates.”
Teammates.
Unless, like Mariana, he let himself admit he might want something more.
Somehow she’d done it. She’d gotten three kids dressed and fed and off to church. But paying attention from her seat in the second-to-last row? Apparently that’s