Pamela, an upbeat blonde, had chatted Roni up about the pies she and Quincy had made, and Roni had given her the recipe. She and the girls had gabbed about their relationships and Josie and Jed’s upcoming wedding. Now they were tossing out names for Finlay and Bullet’s baby.
“Bullet calls you Lollipop, so how about Cake Pop?” Penny teased, earning a scowl from Finlay and laughs from everyone else.
“I think if it’s a girl, she should have a feminine name, like you and Penny do,” Gemma said. “Maybe Tiffany or Elizabeth?”
“Those get my vote,” Pamela said. “Or even something old-school, like Margorie or even Melody.”
“I like both of those. How about a unisex name like Jordan or Parker?” Josie asked.
“I love unisex names, but Bullet doesn’t,” Finlay said. “We were talking about baby names while he was putting together the bassinette that Sarah and Bones gave us at the baby shower, and I suggested the name Charley for a girl or boy, and he said”—she lowered her voice an octave—“our little sweetheart is not growing up with a dude’s name.”
“That’s my boy for ya,” Red said with a chuckle.
“You could go with Trigger if it’s a boy,” Crystal chimed in. “That ought to check his manly name box.”
“My baby is not being named after part of a gun.” Finlay rubbed her belly and said, “It fits my husband well, but this is an innocent baby. I’d like to honor you or Biggs, Red. What’s Biggs’s real name?”
“Biggs’s given name is Byron, but, honey, you honor us every day by being good to our son,” Red said compassionately. “You should name this baby whatever name speaks to you and Bullet.”
“Don’t name him Byron,” Dixie said. “That’s an awful name. He’ll get teased. Why do you think my dad goes by Biggs?”
Finlay put a hand on her hip and said, “Have you met my husband? I could name our son Jezebel and nobody would tease him,” causing more laughter.
“Whatever you do, Fin, don’t name him after some type of fuel,” Tracey said, eyeing Diesel, who had been watching her as closely as the other guys were watching the kids. “I need a glass of water. I’ll be right back.”
As they discussed names, Roni stole a glance at Quincy, down on all fours with Hail and Bradley riding on his back. Jed, Truman, and Bones were talking by the enormous Christmas tree, watching the kids like hawks as Kennedy directed Lincoln to crawl under Quincy’s stomach and told Hail to say giddyap. Lila crouched in front of Quincy in her adorable frilly dress, peering at his face, and he reached over to tickle her with one hand. She toddled away squealing and giggling, plastering herself against Scott’s legs. Scott hoisted his giggling niece onto his shoulders. Quincy glanced at Roni, grinning like he was having the time of his life. It was a sight Roni knew she’d never forget, and one she wanted to see for years to come.
“Uh-oh, you guys, look.” Josie pointed to Diesel hulking over Tracey in the kitchen as she filled a glass with water from the dispenser on the refrigerator door. Like most of the men, Diesel was wearing a black leather vest with Dark Knights patches, which made him look extra intimidating.
“He’s six foot six and she’s what? Five two maybe? Can you imagine those two in bed?” Crystal laughed. “Talk about riding a bronco.”
“By the look on Diesel’s face, I’d say that’s exactly what Diesel is imagining right now,” Dixie said.
Gemma and Penny agreed. Red just shook her head.
“Girl talk sure has changed,” Pamela said, sharing a knowing glance with Red.
“I don’t understand how Tracey doesn’t realize he likes her,” Sarah said. “Unless we’re wrong about that.”
Dixie crossed her arms and said, “We’re not wrong.”
“I think Tracey does realize it, even if she can’t admit it to herself yet,” Penny said. “The way he’s looking at her makes it hard to miss.”
Just like yours and Scott’s furtive glances, Roni mused.
Finlay rubbed her burgeoning belly and said, “That must be what Bullet and I looked like to you guys at first.”
Tracey turned around, clutching her glass in both hands, her back pressed against the refrigerator, eyes wide as saucers as Diesel said something Roni couldn’t hear. “Shouldn’t we help her out of that situation?”
“Tracey might look scared, honey, but she’s not,” Red said emphatically. “Our girl can hold her own with him, the same way Finlay did with Bullet. Diesel’s rougher than our Bullet, but he’d never