wreck.
“I’m sure you’re doing a good job,” she told Edward.
His eyes lit up, and it made her feel a little bit better seeing how her encouragement gave the boy a sense of accomplishment. He’d had a rough childhood, too. Thankfully, his grandmother had intervened and the boy seemed to be thriving. Audrey had been told his speech was improving every day.
“Do you know when they’ll be home?”
“T-tomorrow, I think.”
“Okay. Well then, I’ll just wait until then to speak with them. Oh, um, Edward. Would you mind calling Blackie? He needs to go back in the house or else Jewel will be sleeping among the oaks tonight.”
The boy laughed and after Blackie cooperated, Audrey bid them farewell.
She returned to the Slade home on weak legs and with a touchy stomach, but her worst symptom wasn’t physical. Her emotions were piling up, one on top of the other like a cheerleader pyramid. Any slight shift to the balance would have them all crashing down.
She entered the house with cautious steps, walking softly and hoping to avoid Luke. A sideways glance into the parlor had her doing a quick double take.
“Hey, sis.”
Her brother’s familiar voice rang in her ears. His face, so strong, so caring, filled her heart with love. Forgetting her sluggishness, she raced over to where he stood in the middle of the room and flung her arms around him. “Casey!”
Sure he could be a bullheaded pain at times, but he was her bullheaded pain and right now her heart sang at the sight of him. His arms, tucking her in close, felt strong and comforting. “It’s good to see you,” she whispered.
“Same here, squirt.”
Casey could call her squirt all day long for all she cared. She clung to his neck and hung on. And when she didn’t protest at the nickname that usually gave her fits, he pulled her away to gaze at her curiously. “What did I do to deserve such a welcome?”
You’re my big bro and I need a friend now. “What? Can’t I hug my big brother?”
Casey stared at her and then blinked while taking a full step back to give her a good once-over. Her arms dropped to her sides and Audrey felt a keen sense of loss without him hugging her.
His eyes touched on her pale complexion and then his gaze shifted to scrutinize her body. She tried to lift her sagging shoulders and hide the shakiness of her wobbly legs. A scowl formed on his face and his loving expression immediately transformed to concern. “You don’t look good, sis. What’s the matter, honey?”
The cheerleader toppled from the top of the heap. All balance was gone. Her pent-up emotions unraveled and tears sprung from her eyes. “Oh, Casey.”
She fell into his chest and unleashed her sobs.
Slowly, he brought her into the circle of his arms again. “It’s…okay,” he said as if he didn’t know how to soothe the grown-up version of his little sister. He patted her back and hushed her quietly. “Why are you crying, sweetheart?”
She continued to sob, her unbanked tears coming as a surprise to her, as well. She wasn’t sure what or how to tell him.
His booming voice shook. “Are you…ill? Did you come here to hide it from me? Tell me, Audrey Faith. You’re scaring the life out of me.”
She began shaking her head. Casey feared for her life. Oh, heavens. He’d gotten it all wrong. Her brother always looked out for her. She didn’t always appreciate it but now she realized how much he’d sacrificed for her. How much he worried over her. She caught her breath between sobs. “No…I’m not ill. I’m fine. It’s just that…I’m, I’m…pregnant.”
It was the first time she’d said the words aloud. They felt strange to her ears and the gravity of her situation and Casey’s reaction—a shift in his body temperature from warm to ice-cold—made her feel it all the more. The news paralyzed him a moment.
He didn’t move a muscle.
After long, drawn-out moments, he spoke through clenched teeth. “I’ll crush that Toby Watson.”
“It’s not Toby’s,” she said in a rush.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement at the parlor doorway. A figure, tall and lean and good-looking as sin, strode into the room to stand beside Casey.
Luke’s gaze bore down on her. He rasped, “Audrey, you’re having my baby?”
Audrey faced him. “Oh, Luke.”
Casey’s mouth dropped open. He didn’t miss the implication. He swiveled his head to glare at the man standing next to him. “You’re asking my sister if