While the boys went to the car, Ginger talked with Kayla. She was excited to hear what had happened around the ranch, but Kayla started first.

“I’m so happy for you.” She touched Ginger’s belly. “I can’t believe there’s a little person in there. Have you been throwing up?”

“Not yet, just queasy. I snack every couple of hours to keep the nausea at bay. I sleep a lot though, and Evan has been good about it. Oh Kayla, his first day back he cleaned the house while I slept. It was a nice surprise, but he’s already warned me he’s going to hover,” Ginger said with a little laugh.

“I can’t wait to see how he handles this. He’s so protective. He’s going to freak when he can’t control what’s going on.”

“He’s already giving me a fit about changing doctors. He wants me to have a female OB. Do you know if there’s one in town? He’s not happy thinking about a male doctor seeing my hooha. I told him I’d talk to Thomas, and you should’ve seen him. He thought I meant for Thomas to be my doctor. You’re going to have to help me with him because he may drive me crazy before this is over.”

“I can see that. Are y’all going to stay here?”

“We haven’t discussed that. Is it okay until we decide what we’re doing?”

“I was hoping so. This house is just as much Evan’s as it is Mitch’s. Since he’s working at the ranch, it makes the most sense.”

Ginger swallowed before she said, “I saw the other man on Monday.”

“Excuse me? What other man?”

“You know—the one from the café.”

“Oh shit. What did Evan do? Was he with you?” Kayla asked with wide eyes.

“He was on his way home, but hadn’t gotten there yet. He was, um, worried.”

“I bet. Are you okay?”

“Yes, now. I just thought you’d want to know.” Ginger rubbed her hands down her legs. “So, enough about us. Have you set a wedding date?”

“No, what about y’all?”

“Evan says sooner rather than later. He wants Mitchell by him when we do, though. I haven’t even told my parents.” A worried look came over Ginger’s face. “I’ve got to call them today, and Evan hasn’t met them yet. You’ve met my dad. What do you think?”

“Oh Ginger, I don’t know. Mitch thought he’d have it easy with my dad, but apparently he asked questions Mitch hadn’t thought about. Evan’s not only meeting your parents, but telling your dad he got you pregnant. Are you sure you don’t need to plan a funeral instead of a wedding?” Kayla chuckled.

“I know. I just hope they’ll go easy on him because I’m pregnant. Eloping keeps sounding better and better.” The concern in Ginger’s voice couldn’t be hidden.

“Have you actually thought about that?”

“Yeah, I’d be happy to go to the Justice of the Peace,” Ginger said with a sad chuckle. “Seriously, I’ve never been a big wedding kinda girl. At the most, I thought something small here. Since you and Mitchell got engaged first, I thought y’all would want to get married first.”

“Mitch told me to be ready as soon as y’all got home. He’s past ready.” She stared out the glass doors for a moment. “Something small here sounds nice. My fear is pissing off the town since it’s named after their family, and I think the town expects to be at their weddings. That’s the only reason I’ve thought about something big. I swear we ought to get married right in the middle of town square. We could post one huge invitation and do it right there. Then have a street dance for the reception. Thomas and Cat could be our attendants, the boys would only have to dress up once, hell we could get married in blue jeans for that matter.”

“What are you saying? A double wedding?”

“Why not?”

“You don’t think some women around town would object?”

“Not if they know what’s good for them,” Kayla said with a mischievous smile.

“Do you think we can pull it off?”

“I don’t think it’d take much. Do you want to?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? It could be fun. I need to find out when my parents could come up. How quickly do you think it could happen?” The excitement was building inside of Ginger. A double wedding!

“It just so happens, Mabel Gregory is on the planning committee for the church socials and the festival planning committee for the town. Somehow I think this can happen as quickly as we want it to.” They were laughing like school girls by the time the boys walked in.

“I’m going to call my parents,” Ginger announced.

She walked to her and Evan’s room so she could lie down as she made the call. It felt good to laugh with Kayla, but now she was nervous. How were her parents going to react? She never thought she’d get married without her brother in attendance. Then again, she never thought she wouldn’t see him for years either. She took a deep breath and placed the call.

Evan walked in just as Ginger had hung up with her parents. “How did it go?”

“Could’ve been better. My dad may try to punch you when they come up Saturday.”

“Fuck! I should’ve met them before my trip. They’re coming Saturday?”

“It’ll be fine. He’ll calm down before then. Do you mind if I take a nap before the guests arrive?”

“No, darlin’, you sleep so my baby can grow.” He gently laid his lips on her forehead. She didn’t remember seeing him walk out the door.