Last Call by Shelli Stevens

Author:Shelli Stevens [Stevens, Shelli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781949068139
Publisher: The Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2018-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“I love my nephew, but he’s breaking my arm.” Kenzie groaned and adjusted the sleeping newborn. “Anyone else want to hold him for a bit?”

Delonna hesitated from where she sat on the couch, glancing at the sleeping baby. He’d made the rounds to all the other women in the room except her. Her fingers curled and the urge to volunteer was tempered with the unease of not really being experienced with newborns.

She waited to see if Hailey would volunteer, since Sarah was outside with her daughter Emily at the moment. But Hailey seemed busy pilfering the bowl of nuts, clearly looking for one type in particular.

“Delonna? You’ve not held Ben yet.” Kenzie stood, and without waiting for her to accept, gently laid the sleeping baby in her arms. “There you are.”

Delonna caught her breath, almost afraid to breathe, fearing it would wake him. He was so tiny and beautiful with his dark hair and hint of olive-toned skin—those traits from his mom. She knew, when his eyes were opened, that they were the striking green all the McLaughlins had.

“He’s precious, aye?” Kenzie murmured, smiling down at them.

“He is,” she said softly, drawing her finger down one super-soft cheek. The baby’s mouth puckered, but he stayed asleep.

“He’ll be hungry soon, I imagine.” Kenzie laughed. “We’ll hand him back to his ma after that, as you won’t be able to help with that so much.”

That had a smile tugging at Delonna’s lips.

Hailey made a noise of triumph as she found the nut she was seeking and popped it in her mouth.

“I’m going to grab a soda and see if the men need anything,” she said a moment later. “Need anything from the kitchen?”

Kenzie and Delonna shook their heads and murmured a no thanks.

“I’m sorry Brett couldn’t make it tonight.” Delonna glanced at her friend.

“Ah, me too, but he’s come down with a disgusting cold and I told him he’d best stay home and not risk giving it to the baby.”

“Good call. Will you bring him a plate of leftovers?”

“Of course. And a bit of whisky.” Kenzie’s smile seemed a little mischievous after the whisky remark. But before Delonna could comment on it, Kenzie asked, “So you must be quite shaken up about what happened at the pub.”

Delonna’s stomach knotted. “I am, and I feel really guilty about it.”

“You needn’t feel guilt. It’s not as if you were the one who pulled the trigger.” Kenzie shook her head as she sat down on the couch next to her. “I’m shocked it’s gotten this violent, so quickly.”

“Me too.” She stared down at Ben, registering the complete vulnerability and innocence of the baby in her arms. Maybe she shouldn’t even be holding him right now. Everything she touched seemed to become a target.

“How are you and Aleck getting on?”

Choose your words carefully. “Just fine. He’s been very supportive and nice to me.”

“A bit more than nice, hmm?” Kenzie drawled. “No use pretending you’re not shagging now. You’ve a terrible poker face.”

Delonna smiled, knowing her friend was right.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.