LORD HELP ME, this was probably the worst idea I’ve gone along with in a long time. And considering I was currently pregnant because I didn’t use a condom, that was saying something. My hand was just raising to knock on a door of a home I’d not been too in a couple months, when it was flung open and I was being pulled into the arms of the most ecstatic southern woman I’d come across.

“My goodness, I’m so happy to see you!” Donna exclaimed in my ear.

My back was currently being crushed by this tiny woman I had no clue was a secret powerhouse.

I tentatively brought my free arm up and hugged her back. “Good to see you too, Mrs. Brooks.”

She jerked back but still held on to me. “Oh my word, how many times have I told you to call me Donna? Mrs. Brooks is my mother in law.”

Her jovial attitude was contagious. I smiled at her. “Donna. Thank you for having me. I brought deviled eggs to go with lunch.”

She looked down at the platter I was holding. “Oh yes! Come come, we’ll put them in the kitchen.”

As quickly as she was there, she disappeared into a room off the dining room and I was standing there left to follow. I always loved it in here. Much like the home I put an offer on, it was decorated in a very country chic manner. The smells, colors, and people that filled it made it welcoming. I heard voices coming from the kitchen. I walked forward and was greeted by Keegan, Donna, Dodger, Paul, Camden, and a young girl I’d never met before.

They all stopped conversation and smiled at me when they saw me come into view.

“Yay, you made it!” Keegan squealed.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Camden huffed.

I never understood that stupid saying. I would have flipped him the bird but childishly stuck my tongue out instead. He grinned.

“Macie, so glad you could come.” Paul approached me and pulled me in for a much calmer hug than Donna had given. “How have you been dear?”

“I’ve been well, thank you,” I answered politely.

“Enough, Dad,” Dodger said, as he took ahold of my hand and pulled me to his side. Everyone’s eyes shifted as they saw our grasped hands. Keegan probably would have screamed with delight if she could, but I could tell she was holding back. “Hi.”

I felt awkward showing him affection. Especially when the last time his family saw us, we were at each other’s throats. Not to mention they probably had no clue that we were back together. Although technically we weren’t. Not until he said he would abide by my stipulations. I may have been a massive bitch for forcing him into firing an employee simply to make my comfort level steady. But no way was I going to allow that woman to continue being around my guy every single day, tempting him with her nasty ass meat flaps, and sushi dates. I’d rather kill her and risk getting put in prison for the rest of my life. I pulled my hand away from his letting it fall to my side. Whoa, these pregnancy hormones bring out the extra crazy.

I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met.”

The quiet girl made eye contact. “Me? I’m Hadley. I’m from down the road.”

“Macie Rosewood, it’s nice to meet you.”

She gave me a bashful smile.

“Wow, where are my manners?” Donna interjected. “Hadley is a friend of Wrigley’s. She just came home for a short visit and then she will be heading back to school. She attends LSU. Hadley stopped by to drop off some of her momma’s famous homemade jelly. I convinced her to stay and eat.””

“Oh yeah? I love it there. Have you been to the café in town? They serve beignets.”

“No, I haven’t actually. I’ll be sure to try it out before I leave.”

“Hadley is getting her degree in business. Is that correct?”

Her foot shifted. “Mhmm.”

“Is Wrigley back home?” I asked curiously.

“No. He has some finals he’s studying for. He should be coming home two weeks before Christmas.” Donna replied. “The house is too quiet without any of my boys here.”

I bet it was. A house full of males would probably bring the decibel level up. Wonder what she did with herself now that they were all gone. Actually, I wonder if her and Paul would continue living here since they don’t really need the space for just the two of them. I swallowed. Well, not unless grandchildren came along and filled the house again. Which was why I came today. Dodger was going to let his parents know.

Clapping her hands, Donna said, “All right y’all, time to dish up. I’ve put silverware and paper plates down here if you would like to start at this end.” She was standing at the end of the kitchen island.

My stomach growled. Looking at all of the food, I couldn’t believe my appetite was back to normal, if not worse. My first trimester was a few days away from ending, and any morning sickness had disappeared. Between the salad, casserole, deviled eggs, and banana pudding, I was certain I was going to get my fill today. Keegan gladly stepped up and started filling her plate first. Everyone followed suit behind her. I tried to hold off being one of the first to get my food. I could tell my fat ass was planning on overloading my plate like it was a Thanksgiving Day meal.

We all had come to sit in the dining room, just as I remembered we always did. The Brooks family was one of the few families that I was aware of that still sat family style around a table and enjoyed each other’s company. Most people grabbed food and plopped in front of a television and conversing was unheard of. Besides their baseball games they did when they were all together, this was absolutely my favorite part of this family.

“So, Camden, how is that little rugrat of yours?” Paul asked.

I coughed loudly. Dodger reached up and slapped my back.

“Sorry . . . wrong pipe,” I said, embarrassed.

Keegan shot me a look. I gave a subtle shake of my head.

“That little shit chews everything under the sun.” Camden brought the attention back to himself. “I don’t even know why we bother with dog toys. He’s just as content with a dirty sock or a pair of Keegan’s underwear.”

Jesus, they were talking about the dog. I had kids on the brain. Simmer down, Macie.

“Just a few bumps in the road. I don’t know how anybody could be mad at him for long. That handsome little face of his, I could eat it up.” Keegan gushed.

“They were good socks,” Camden grumbled.

“And I said I’d buy you a new pair.”

“Not the point, Keeg.”

“Argue another time, you two,” Paul stated. “What about you, Macie? We haven’t seen you in a while. How are things? Your mom and dad getting along okay?”

I smiled at him. “They are, thank you. Everyone has been staying busy. The hospital occupies my time.”

“You and Keegan still working the same shifts?”

“No, actually we don’t see each other nearly as much as I’d like. The head of the department wanted all of us to see what it was like to work with different crews to make sure we were a ‘well rounded bunch.’” I quoted. “I honestly don’t see what the point is. Sure we all have our personalities, but none of that matters when a woman is giving birth, and a doctor is barking orders. Only people that matter are the two of them.”

“Understandable,” he said with acknowledgement. “Pretty important job that you all have. The doctors wouldn’t be able to function without you nurses.”

“True that.” Dodger piped up.

I elbowed him in the ribs. He needed to shut up.

“How is everyone’s lunch?”

“Great like always, Mom,” Camden answered.

Her eyes sparkled with love at her son. We all continued eating, making small talk here and there. I chose to stay quiet. I didn’t have much to add to the conversation, and the food was so good, I was barely coming up for air while I Hoovered my plate clean. Nobody took notice that I had taken more than they all did, nor did they when I finished before them. Or maybe they did and they were just being polite and not bringing it up.

“Dodger, have you heard back from the owner for the space next to the gym?” Paul asked.

“I have.” He set his fork down and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure it’s something I’m going to continue pursuing.”

“Why not, son? Patients wouldn’t have to go hunting for your new location, you’d have ample room to set up more equipment that you’ve been wanting, and you may even be able to bring in another physical therapist to offset your patient load. I don’t see what the problem is. Is the cost too steep?”

“No, the cost wasn’t an issue.” Dodger looked over at me. My eyes got huge. He wasn’t going to say something to them right now was he? I wasn’t even close to mentally prepared. When he looked back at his dad he said, “I just think waiting another year or so to keep building my clientele will be best.”

Paul pondered his words. “You may be right about that. Are you sure though? That space likely won’t be there when you decide you’re ready to expand.”

“I know, and I’m sure. If it all becomes too much, I’ll do it before a year.”

His parents smiled at him.

When lunch was over, we all got up from the table and brought our plates into the kitchen. I did some light picking up in the dining room when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my back pocket and saw it was James. Holy excitement, this was the moment.

“Hi James, how are you?”

He was pleasantly surprised to hear my greeting. “I’m good, how are you?”

“Impatiently waiting to hear from you, to be honest.” I nervously giggled.

Keegan was standing next to me and she grabbed my hand. Dodger came into the room, standing across the table from me. Keegan whispered to him who I was on the phone with. I noticed him become ridged and he quietly said “oh shit.” He must be nervous too, which was pretty cute.

“Ah, well I’m sorry for keeping you waiting there was some back and forth between myself and the listing agent.”

I started dancing on my toes, “Just tell me already.”

“You didn’t get the house.”

And just like that, I deflated.

“I didn’t get it?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“What didn’t she get?” Donna asked as she came up beside Dodger.

He ignored his mom.

“What happened, James? I thought we were putting in a pretty strong offer. How could I have lost it?”

He sounded hesitant. “Erm, well that’s the thing. Someone else came in with a better offer.”

“What? Wait, you said no other offers were on the table when you submitted. I’m sorry but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this.”

“There weren’t. But apparently someone submitted shortly after we did, and theirs was accepted.”

I was on the verge of tears. That was my house. I wanted it so badly I could taste it. I envisioned my child running around and playing in the yard. I had already window shopped the furniture stores in town and figured out everything that I wanted to buy to fill it up. Ugh! As much as I didn’t want to start over, I would. I just knew I wouldn’t likely find one that I loved as much as that one though.

I sighed and blinked back my tears. “Well, damn. I hate the person that got the place, but maybe in a couple of days we can make a new list of homes to visit.”

“Macie, there’s something else.”

My brows furrowed. “Something else?”

He coughed, and for whatever reason he seemed uneasy. “Yes, ma’am. It’s about the buyer.”

“The buyer? I’m lost.”

Dodger took a step back from the table. I watched him curiously. His face went ghostly white, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. What was going on with him. Keegan gave my hand a squeeze.

“You’ll find another, Mace,” she said softly.

I held my finger up in the air. I was trying to listen to what James was saying.

“You know the buyer. I shouldn’t have looked, but there was a name disclosed by the previous homeowners that caught my attention. When he brought back your check and contract, they mentioned who they accepted the offer from.”

This was all sorts of confusing.

“Dodger bought the house, Macie. He came in above you, and they accepted his offer.”

My lips parted and I gasped. My eyes darted to the man across the table and by the look on his face, he knew that I knew. He started waving his hands around in front of him.

“Now, Macie, I can explain if you’ll just let me.”

I handed my phone to Keegan, who had no idea what on earth was going on. She took it and told James I’d call him back.

“You dirty . . . fucking . . . dog.”

“Macie, just listen.”

I took a step forward. “Listen to what? That you lied to me? That you went behind my back and took something from me?”

“Now, don’t make it into something that it’s not, I didn’t take anything from you.”

“What’s going on?” Paul asked. He approached me, concerned.

“You didn’t take anything from me?” My voice went an octave higher. “You have got to be the world’s stupidest man on earth. That house was mine. You went and saw it with me. You knew I was putting an offer on it.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Macie, you put in an offer on a house? Oh, honey, I didn’t know you were looking. Congrats!”

I barely registered Donna’s jubilant voice. Nor did I pay attention to the fact that Keegan was currently griping my forearm to prevent me from moving forward.

“How could you?”

Dodger attempted a smile but failed. “I did it for you, for us.”

I laughed sadistically. “You did it for you.”

“No, Mace,” he stated firmly. “If you would just come somewhere to talk to me, I will explain everything. Why I felt I needed to buy the house. Why I didn’t tell you. All of it.”

“Hold the phone,” Paul said. “Dodger, you bought a house? Is this why you’re not getting the office space anymore?”

“Dad, not right now,” Dodger pleaded.

“My house, Paul. Your son, bought my house. The one he and I went and looked at together. The one that I fell in love with. The one that he knew I wanted more than anything.”

Donna was completely perplexed and out of the loop. “You both went house hunting together? Are things that serious between you both?”

“Shit, Mom. You’re going to have to teach Keegan how to make these chocolate bars. They are delicious.” Camden strutted into the room, not realizing the battle that was ensuing. He paused and looked around the room. “What the fuck did I miss in here?”

And just like that I snapped. I screeched and dove at Dodger over the table. There were some remaining dishes that were in my way that I heard crashing to the ground. Dodger backed up and continued to plead with me to let him talk to me privately and it would all make sense. It fell on deaf ears. I wanted to hear nothing from him. What he did was a low blow. Too low for my mind to wrap around or accept.

As quickly as I was crawling across the table, I was hoisted in the air and being tightly held against a warm hard chest.

“Easy.” Camden’s voice tried to soothe.

“When your brother lets me go, I’m going to kill you.”

Dodger had the audacity to roll his eyes.

“You know what, Macie? Fine. We are going to talk about it in front of everyone.” He walked around the table and stood in front of me. “You want to hit me after I talk, whatever. I’ll take it.” He bent a little and looked me in the eyes. “I wanted that house just as much as you did. From the moment you told me to turn and really look at the house objectively, I saw it too. I saw our future there. I saw you. I saw me coming home to you every night, or you coming home and kicking your feet up on my lap so I could rub them. I saw you being my wife and us cooking meals together. I saw our things that you’d strategically place because you’re secretly a perfectionist and you’d move them over and over until they were just right. I saw us raising this baby in a happy home. I saw the day we brought him or her home from the hospital, and long nights. I saw it all and I want everything. Ever little ounce of crazy, and fun, and fights. I wanted it and I wanted it in that house.”

I shook my head and wiped my eyes. “But you bought it even though I was already doing that. Why?”

He dropped his head, incapable of showing me his hurt. “Because you bought that house, it and everything in it would have been yours. Just yours. You haven’t let me in yet, Mace. And if you got a place for you and the baby all by yourself, you’d take that independence and run away with it and I’d be left behind still begging for the crumbs you give me. If I bought it, I would make sure that it was something for the three of us.”

Holy shit. When he put it that way, I understood. And he was right. I force my independence. I would have constantly thrown in his face that the house was mine and he had no right to it. I could pick and choose when I’d allow him in. I would still be living with keeping one of Dodger’s feet outside the door.

I wiggled a little. Camden squeezed. I glanced back at him and gave him a look that said, it was okay. I wasn’t going to hurt his brother. He loosened his arms and I stepped away from him, and into Dodger. I hated seeing him look so broken. That maybe I’d been cruel versus hard to get.

I placed my fingers under his chin. “So it’s ours?” I asked him hopefully. “We have a house?” Placing the emphasis on the “we.”

Dodger tilted forward and put his forehead against mine. “We do.”

I quietly laughed and felt a few more tears fall from my cheeks. “Oh man, I have a ton of furniture to buy.”

His beautiful crooked smile tipped up since the argument started and it was a relief to see it. “One room at a time, Mace.”

He kissed my forehead and I sighed in contentment. Being in Macie/Dodger world, I completely disregarded the fact that we’d had an audience the entire time. That was until someone cleared their throat. We pulled away from each other to look and see that Donna was bawling happy tears, and she was holding Paul’s hand.

“A baby?” she asked, almost scared the words would make it disappear.

Dodger shrugged bashfully. “Huh, yeah.” His hand rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry you found out this way. We were going to tell you today, just not like this.”

A loud gleeful scream came from Donna’s mouth, and I was pulled into a crushing hug by Paul. Donna was holding Dodger and crying like a baby speaking words that made no sense. I couldn’t help the laugh that came from my throat. Jesus, this family was crazy. Would have been nice to have had the same reaction from my family, but it occurred to me, that it was okay. This was my family. The Brooks opened their hearts and home to me and I’ve been a part of them for a couple of years now.

Donna slapped at Paul to move. She embraced me warmly.

“I’m planning the baby shower,” she stated firmly.

“No problem.”

“Excuse me!” Keegan interrupted. “I’m doing that planning with you.”

Donna nodded. “Absolutely! It will be the baby shower of all baby showers.”

I pulled back. “Don’t go overboard, ladies. It’s really not a big deal.”

Paul scoffed. “Do you know who you’re talking to? Everything with this woman is a big deal.”

“You hush.” Her southern twang scolded.

She hugged me again then looked at me like she was seeing me through new eyes. It was a little awkward and uncomfortable, but I understood. I don’t know why I would have expected anything less from Donna and Paul. They would be thrilled to be grandparents no matter how it happened. They loved kids.

“You doing okay? Morning sickness and all that under control? Have you seen the doctor? How far along are you?”

“Mom, slow down with the questions.” Dodger grinned at Donna.

“I don’t believe I was asking you, mister.”

He rolled his eyes. “Just oblige the crazy lady,” he said to me.

“Morning sickness has been a real pain in the butt. I couldn’t keep anything down except popsicles. I’m about twelve weeks, and we just saw the doctor. So far so good.”

She clapped her hands like she couldn’t contain herself.

“Not to sound insensitive or anything but can we talk about something else that’s equally cool and fun?” Camden made the most comical face.

“What’s that?” Dodger asked.

“Baseball, dipshit. Congrats and all that, I’ve already expressed my happiness, but I really don’t want to hear about Macie’s puking schedule.”

“You really are an ass sometimes,” Keegan grumbled.

“Yep. And if you’re a good girl, I’ll let you touch my ass later.” He slapped her butt as she walked past him. She let out a yelp.

Donna clucked her tongue at her son’s crude behavior. The banter always made me smile.

“We can play, but no baseball for you, Missy.” Paul pointed at me.

“Oh my lanta, it’s not like I’m crippled. I’m pregnant.”

“I’m with my dad. No ball.”

Good lord, it was a conspiracy to make me either crazy or completely incapable of doing anything. I knew they meant well, so I didn’t complain. However, if they kept that crap up the whole pregnancy I’d be putting a few Brooks men in their places. I was good for the time being, simply basking in the happiness of how everyone was with the baby news, the fact that Dodger and I got our home, and things seemed to be going better than I could have ever imagined. Sure to some, Dodger and me moving in together seemed like a jump considering we weren’t even together a month ago. But we had history, and now a family was being created. I was going to give it a real shot. I wanted it to work. And as long as I remained positive, positive things would happen. Right?

Right?