Lone Star Longing (Hearts of Broken Wheel, #1)

by Fredrick, MJ

  LACEY NEEDED TO PUSH Beck away. She knew she did. But seeing him in person at The Wheel House put all those thoughts on hold. He kissed her when he got there, but none of their friends seemed surprised, so Poppy must have filled them in.

  “Hey, we want to have a baby shower for you,” Ginny announced. “We’ll do it here, so we have plenty of room for everyone. We should probably do it next month, right, since twins tend to come early? Have you registered anywhere? What do you need? What days are good for you?”

  “Let’s just do it on a regular Sunday get-together,” Poppy said. “We can do a co-ed shower. Do you want to invite your family?”

  Lacey nodded, embarrassed. “Marianne offered to give me one, too, so I am sure she’d help.” Lacey wasn't wild about the idea of being the center of attention at a shower, but her practical said told her she needed to get a head-start on what she needed for these babies.

  “I mean your mom, your sister and brothers.”

  “I can set aside rooms for them at the motel,” Sofia offered when Lacey hesitated.

  “We can invite them, I guess, but I’m pretty sure they won’t come.” She couldn't remember the last time she talked to her brothers, and her sister’s husband was really busy. She couldn't see them coming out just for a weekend. There was no easy and quick way to get to Broken Wheel from Houston.

  She kind of wanted them to come, though, which surprised her. She kind of wanted them to make an effort, just for her, to get here. She just had to convince herself not to be disappointed when they didn't show up.

  “So what’s the word on the birthing class?” Beck asked when it was time for him to head back to Midland, pulling her into his arms as he leaned back against the truck. Her tummy made intimacy a little harder, so she leaned back against his arms instead of pressing forward into his body.

  “I think you can skip this one,” she said. “We’re going to learn about postpartum care, and I’d really rather you not think about me in that condition.”

  He pressed his lips together and she knew that was not the answer he wanted. But it was the only one she was prepared to give.

  “If you want, you can come the week after next. They’re going to teach us how to diaper and bathe the baby, all that practical stuff.”

  She couldn't believe she was inviting him to that. She couldn't imagine he’d ever have occasion to use the knowledge, because she couldn't imagine herself giving him any of those tasks to do. But the invitation put a light in his eyes that made her glad she’d offered, and he pulled her forward to kiss her.

  “I can’t wait.”

  SOFIA, HAILEY, POPPY, Marianne and Lacey met at the diner to plan the shower. Since Ginny was on shift, she just popped over once in a while to see what they’d planned. Again, Lacey wasn't too happy about being the center of attention, but the five of them needed to coordinate to set the date, figure out who to invite, and what to serve.

  “I’m sorry if it will be awkward for you and Dad if I invite Mom,” Lacey said to Marianne.

  “It’ll be weird, but she has moved on and she had to know he would, too. She’s your mother. You have to invite her.”

  “Not even sure she’ll come, so there’s that,” Lacey said, forcing a laugh.

  “Of course she will. You’re her daughter, and this is your first baby shower.”

  Lacey didn't want to say that Marianne had never known her mother, and she wasn't exactly the most affectionate of mothers.

  “Let’s not go to a lot of trouble,” Lacey said. “Just a cake, some drinks. That’s all.”

  “No, we’re going to have finger sandwiches and salad,” Ginny said.

  “We’re having a co-ed shower,” Hailey said. “We need something besides finger sandwiches. What’s easy? A brisket? Two briskets?”

  “Now you’re getting into money,” Marianne said. “Have you priced a brisket lately?”

  “Okay, so, what then? Casseroles? I guess we can have a variety of casserole. Each of us make two?” Sofia said.

  Poppy wrinkled her nose. “I want the finger sandwiches. Maybe we can do subs for the guys? Does Mrs. Lopez carry sub rolls? You think she can order some for us? Get some deli meat, go to town. It won’t be cheap, but it won’t cost as much as a brisket and it will be filling. And easier than everyone bringing two casseroles.”

  They agreed with Poppy’s suggestion, and then went on to the guest list. Sofia said she should invite her patients, but Lacey shook her head.

  “I’m not going to ask them for anything. They’re my clients.”

  “They probably are as invested as we are.”

  “Doesn't matter. Please don't put them on the list. Beck may bring his mom, but that’s the only one, okay?”

  “And you need to register somewhere so we can put that on the invitation.”

  “I don't even know what to put.”

  “Well, I know you’re going to need two of everything,” Poppy laughed.

  “A double stroller, two car seats, two high chairs,” Marianne listed. “Diapers. Diapers. Diapers. All sizes.”

  Lacey wrote down the ideas in her notebook as the others called out the ideas.

  “God, I can’t ask people to buy these things for me,” she said as she looked up the items on her phone. “They’re so expensive.”

  “Well, maybe some can go together on an item,” Poppy said. “Like we can all go in and get you a car seat or something.”

  “You’re already doing too much.”

  Marianne reached across the table and covered her hand. “Honey. People will do it because they love you. Let them. Don’t worry about it so much. If they don't want to, they won’t. This is their choice. You don't have to feel guilty. Okay?”

  Lacey nodded, but she was going to feel guilty anyway.

  “I’ll call my mom, but send her an invitation anyway,” she said, and gave Ginny the addresses for her family members.

  “MOM, I WANTED TO LET you know they’re having a shower for me,” Lacey said, calling her mother as soon as she got home from the meeting. “It’ll be two weeks from Sunday, and I was wondering if y’all could come.”

  “A Sunday? Why a Sunday?”

  “It’s just what we decided would be best for everyone,” Lacey said. “Do you think you might be able to make it?”

  “Hmm.” Her mom delayed. “The calendar doesn't have anything marked down, but I need to check with Andrew first.”

  “Of course,” Lacey said, knowing her mother didn't make any decisions without consulting her husband.

  “Who’s throwing you the shower?”

  “Poppy, Ginny, Sofia, our other friend Hailey, and Dad’s girlfriend Marianne.”

  “Dad’s girlfriend?”

  Better she know now that figure it out when she got here. “Yes, they’ve been dating a few months. She’s a retired schoolteacher.”

  “I don't remember anyone named Marianne.”

  Lacey wouldn't expect her to remember the people from town, even if Marianne had been here when her mother had been.

  “No, she’s not been in town long. They’re both on the town council.”

  “Oh. I had no idea your dad was so civic minded.”

  Lacey didn't usually talk about her dad in their conversations, but she knew she had mentioned this. “He loves this place, and there’s a lot of work to be done. Better to help make it what he wants it to be than sit around complaining about it.”

  “Well, I definitely want to come, but I’ll see what I can do. It seems that there should be an easier way to get there, but I don't know. You’re inviting your sister and brothers, aren’t you?”

  “Of course, and everyone will be getting printed invitations, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. I really do want you here, Mom.”

  “Sweetheart.” Her mom’s voice softened. “I will do everything in my power to get there.”

  “Sofia said she’d set aside a block of rooms at the motel, if you want to come down a couple of days early.”

&
nbsp; “Oh.” Her mother’s tone sharpened in surprise. “I guess we can do that. Maybe we’ll try to fly to San Angelo, and drive down. I’ll let you know what we decide to do.”

  “Okay.” Lacey couldn’t ask any more than that. “I’ll call Tanya, Dalton and Luke to let them know.”

  “Okay, but don't call them tonight. It’s already pretty late.”

  Surprised by that assessment, Lacey looked at the clock. Eight thirty. Maybe that was late? She didn't think of it as late, but maybe once the babies were born, she would. Her brothers and sisters all had kids. She didn't know their schedules, so she took her mother’s word for it.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  LACEY FORCED HERSELF to keep her hands at her sides as Beck struggled with the diaper, getting it wedged between the practice baby’s legs. To his credit, he was as gentle with the practice baby as if it was real, didn't force the wad of plastic and padding, but when Alicia appeared at his elbow to offer assistance, the tension that had been running from his shoulders to his arms released, and the baby flipped, flying through the air to land on the floor on the other side of the table.

  Beck froze in horror, as if he’d dropped an actual baby. Alicia patted his arm reassuringly before rounding the table to pick up the doll.

  “You’re doing just fine.”

  “I just through her baby across the room.”

  “You’re too tense. Maybe sit down to do it, some place secure for both you and the baby. And you won’t have everyone watching you, making you nervous. You’ll get the hang of it.”

  “If Lacey lets me try after that.”

  Alicia smiled at Lacey. “I’m sure she will. Before we end class,” she added, stepping away to address the rest of the group. “I’d like to announce that Dorien and Don had their baby, a nice healthy boy. Everyone’s doing great.”

  The class applauded lightly, and Lacey felt herself tearing up in appreciation that they’d gotten their healthy child.

  “You ready for the shower?” Beck asked as he, Lacey and Poppy walked out to Poppy’s car.

  Lacey was waddling more than walking these days, and during the two hour class, she’d had to pee three times. Not counting the visits to the bathroom when they arrived, and just now.

  “Mom, Tanya and her husband Leonard are coming in tomorrow night,” Lacey said. “I haven't seen them since Christmas, so I’m excited.”

  Also a little wary. They were staying in the motel, which was at best a two-star accommodation, even after Sofia’s renovations, and she knew her mother and sister would complain. She didn't know Tanya’s husband well enough, but she was prepared for that, too. She’d offered to help Sofia get the rooms ready, but Sofia assured her she would make them as welcoming as possible.

  “I’ll come in Friday,” Beck said. “I don't have to go back until Monday. Anything you need me to do, I’ll do. My hands are yours.”

  “Yeah, we saw how steady your hands were in there,” Poppy teased, motioning with her thumb over her shoulder. “We’re going to leave you out of it, I think.”

  “I don’t know. I am good at lifting heavy objects. Not as great at small ones. But I’ll practice,” he promised Lacey, bending to kiss her, his hand resting on the curve of her belly. Then he bent down to her belly. “You guys take it easy on your mom. She still has another month of you guys wrestling around in there. Save it for when you get out.” He straightened and kissed her again. “I love you,” he said, and turned away.

  Both Lacey and Poppy froze in their tracks. Had he just said...? Lacey turned to look at Poppy, then back at Beck, who was walking toward his truck.

  No. If he’d said it, he would have acknowledged it.

  Right?

  “You heard that, didn't you?” Poppy asked when they were on the road.

  “It couldn't have been. Why would he say it and walk away? He had to just have been, I don't know. Saying it to the babies? He was talking to them before he walked off.”

  “That doesn't make sense. He doesn't love the babies. How can he love the babies?”

  “So the alternative is that he loves me.” Lacey shook her head vehemently. “But why would he say it then walk away?”

  “Because he knows you’re going to give him grief about saying it. Maybe he didn't want to argue.”

  Oh, Poppy was right there. She would have given him grief. But he’d said it almost like a reflex. Like he’d said it before.

  To her.

  He hadn’t.

  “Why didn't you go after him and ask him what he meant?”

  “I was too shocked.” She thought about texting him—their text message stream was nearly constant most evenings. But she didn't want to discuss this through text. She needed to call him, and she didn't want to talk about it in front of Poppy, so she couldn't call him now, and when she got home, it would be too late. She knew he had to be at work early in the morning. So she was going to be up all night turning it over in her head.

  He hadn’t meant it. That was all the importance she was going to give it. He didn't mean it, and she wasn't going to ask him about it.

  “I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU move this fast in weeks,” Mrs. Nazareth said when Lacey heaved herself to her feet after cleaning the toilet. “What’s going on?”

  “My mom and sister and one of my brothers are coming in today. I’m getting anxious to see them.”

  “Oh, yes, for your baby shower. Where was my invitation, I’d like to know.”

  “We talked about that,” Lacey admitted. “I didn't want my patients to feel like I was hitting them up for presents.”

  “Well, I guess I can understand that,” Mrs. Nazareth said. “But it would have been nice to get an invitation.”

  “Well.” Lacey wasn't sure what to do. She didn't know the etiquette here. “I know there will be plenty of food. Feel free to come on down.”

  Mrs. Nazareth harrumphed. “I don't want to be an afterthought.”

  “You weren’t, I assure you. I just didn't know how professional it would come across for me to ask you to come.”

  “Did you exclude other people? Who weren’t your patients?”

  “We invited Dad’s friends, Marianne’s friends, our friends.” So yes, that did encompass most of the town. She winced as she thought about it. “Really, I had the best reason for not inviting you. Please know that.”

  Mrs. Nazareth made another disapproving sound. “I hope you have a very nice shower, but I don't believe I’ll attend.”

  “Thank you, and I’m sorry,” Lacey said, closing the cabinet where the cleaning supplies were kept. “I’ll see you next week.”

  “Enjoy your family.” Mrs. Nazareth’s voice softened a bit when she said those words.

  “Thank you, I will.” Lacey hurried down the steps to her car, glad Mrs. Nazareth’s house was in town so the drive to the motel would only take her a few minutes.

  She parked next to the SUV that had to be her sister’s, and nearly bounced her way to the door of the motel room, which swung open as she approached.

  Her sister emerged, arms wide, squealing in excitement, and Lacey threw herself into Tanya’s arms, tucking her head against her little sister’s shoulder.

  “You smell good,” she murmured into Tanya’s hair.

  “You smell like bleach.”

  Lacey straightened. She should have showered and changed before coming over but she’d been so excited. “Sorry. Mrs. Nazareth doesn't think her house is clean unless I use bleach.”

  “Oh my God, look at you!” Tanya’s voice pitched high again and she cradled Lacey’s stomach in her hands. “You’re huge!”

  “Well, you know. Two babies.”

  “Two babies! Oh my God, are you going to have your hands full.” She took Lacey’s hands and drew her into the room, which was a little chaotic with Tanya’s two kids, Caydence and Leo, her husband Leonard, and their mom.

  Lacey couldn't help herself. She burst into tears when she saw her mother, who crossed the room to pull her close. Lacey couldn't
control the sobs that shook her as she held onto her mom, as they sank to the bed, her mother smoothing her hair, pulling it out of its clip.

  Her mother smelled the same as she remembered when she was a child, a soft fragrance that Lacey couldn't remember, but would always identify with her mother.

  “Thank you for coming,” she choked out finally. She wished she could find a way for her mother to stay until the baby was born, but she certainly couldn't stay with Lacey and her dad. And she would hate staying in the motel for the next few days, much less the next few weeks.

  “I should have come sooner. I’m so sorry, honey. I didn't know how important it would be to you.”

  Lacey hadn’t realized it either. “You’re here now.” She had to get control of herself, so she changed the subject. “Didn't Sofia do a great job with these rooms?” Too bad she still didn't get the business to help pay for it.

  “It’s certainly not at all like I remember it.”

  “No, she pretty much gutted the place. But how are you?” Now that she had some space between herself and her mother, she stood to greet Leonard and the kids, while her mother and sister stared at her stomach.

  “Are you sure you’re going to make it to Halloween?” her mother asked.

  “Well, now the doctor isn’t so sure, but I have a good month to go. Don’t worry.”

  “Are you going to work up until that time? I can’t imagine. Your job is so physical.”

  “Well, that’s the plan, but I guess we will see.” She intended to work as long as she could because she needed the money. The company she worked for would pay some benefits, but it wouldn't replace her salary. “The good thing is, Austin is back, so he can look after my patients when I’m out.”

  “Austin Driscoll?”

  “Yes, the town paid for his med school in exchange for the agreement he’d come back here to work for ten years, I think it was. I don't remember. It might have been five. He just came back last month.”

  Her mother pressed her lips together. Though she hadn’t been in town when the accident happened, she heard about Mrs. Driscoll, and the blame piled on the poor woman.