U. C. K!” Stella cried out as she made her way over to Kaylee and hugged her.
Ty Senior stared at the shirt. “Should I be worried my wife knows what that means?” he asked more to himself than anyone else.
“I’m more worried I didn’t know,” Brock stated.
“Oh, holy shit, dude!” Tanner grabbed Ty by the back of the neck and pulled him in for a quick hug. “I should have caught on. I’m slipping,” Tanner said as he stepped out of the way, giving Brock room to congratulate his brother.
“Another baby! Oh, my goodness. Another baby!” Stella cried out.
As I stood back and watched the family all exchange congratulations with Kaylee and Ty, I couldn’t help but feel a strange ache in my chest. Was this…jealousy I was feeling?
My eyes caught Tanner’s, and he smiled. I made my way over to him, and he slipped his arm around my waist. The ache that had been in my chest was exchanged for a fluttery feeling. I leaned my head onto Tanner’s shoulder and watched everyone. A sense of peace and happiness washed over me as I observed my cousin. She looked so happy, and I had the same sense of joy.
Ty Senior looked over at us and winked before he flashed that famous Shaw smile that each of the boys had inherited from their daddy.
“Wow, Ty’s going to be a dad,” Tanner mused.
“I think he’ll make a wonderful father,” I said.
He nodded. “I agree. We had a good example to follow.”
My eyes stung with the threat of tears. I was truly so happy for my cousin and Ty. Kaylee was having a baby. I covered my mouth and tried not to cry.
Tanner held onto me tighter.
Once the crowds backed away, I made my way over to Kaylee. We held hands, and I slowly shook my head. “I knew it.”
She rolled her eyes. “You didn’t say anything.”
I shrugged. “I figured you’d tell everyone when you were ready, and I didn’t want to ruin your plans by mentioning it. I’m so happy for you, Kaylee. So very happy!” We hugged once more.
“You’ll know this same happiness someday, Timber,” she whispered in my ear as we embraced.
I hugged her tighter. “This is about you right now, not me.”
When we pulled apart, I turned to Ty. “I’m so happy for you, Ty!”
He drew me into a hug, then whispered in my ear, “Did I see my baby brother’s arm around you?”
I chuckled. “You did,” I whispered back.
“Are you finally together?” he asked as we stepped apart.
“We are.”
He pumped his fist in the air, then shoved Brock on the back. “Pay up. I won. Little brother has himself a girlfriend.” Brock groaned and pulled out his wallet.
“You did not bet on Tanner and Timberlynn!” Lincoln admonished the two of them.
“Sure as heck did!” Ty stated as he waved his money in the air, only to have Kaylee grab it from his hands.
“Thanks! I can get an early start on baby shopping.” We all watched as Ty’s face went from excited as hell to oh shit.
Everyone laughed again as Ty’s brothers started to take a few teasing jabs at him.
“Okay, into the dining room before breakfast gets cold!” Stella said, motioning for everyone to go and sit.
I noticed Blayze standing off to the side, a stricken look on his face.
“Um, Stella, do you mind if I have a word with Blayze really quickly?”
Stella stole a glance in her grandson’s direction and smiled softly. “Oh no. His little heart is broken yet again.” She reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Take your time, sweetheart.”
I walked over to Blayze and stretched my hand out. He took it and we made our way out of the kitchen and into the living room.
The moment he sat down on the sofa, he let out a long, loud sigh. “Well, looks like I lost the girl again.”
It took everything in me not to smile. This little boy was so much like his father and uncles. And if I had to guess, like his granddad too.
“Blayze, you had to know it wasn’t going to work. I’m simply too old for you.”
He nodded. “Do you like Uncle Tanner? I mean, do you really like him?”
“Yes, very much so. I’ve liked him since I first met him at your Uncle Ty’s wedding.”
He looked at me with a thoughtful expression. “There’s this girl in my class and, um, she said there’s a thing called love at first sight. Do you think that’s true?”
I thought back to