Colters' Gift (Colters' Legacy #5)(39)

“Ladies,” Seth said as he approached.

He leaned down to kiss his wife, and then he brushed his lips across Callie’s cheek.

“How are you feeling, baby?” he asked Lily softly.

She smiled up at her husband. For all her exasperation, it was obvious she adored him, and well, Seth always looked at Lily like the sun rose and set at her feet.

“I’m fine. Dillon cooked breakfast but I knew I was eating with Callie, so I didn’t eat much. I left him at the house grumbling because I wouldn’t take him along, so he went into the office to do some stuff for work. I’ll ride back home with him when I’m done.”

Seth nodded approvingly. “Good. You shouldn’t be driving up and down the mountain alone. You’re not that far from your delivery date.”

Lily snorted. “Two months, Seth. Believe me when I say two months is an eternity when you’re as big as a house.”

Callie and Lauren laughed.

“Have you taken a break yet, Lauren?” Lily asked. “Can you sit with us a few minutes?”

Lauren checked her watch, then scanned the crowd. It was starting to quiet just a bit. The people of Clyde liked their lunch early, and so there was always an initial rush at eleven when lunch was starting to be served, but things usually quieted down by eleven thirty.

“Let me check with Clark and Evie and make sure there’s someone to cover my tables. I’ll be right back.”

Seth leaned over to kiss Lily again. “I’ve got to get back to the station. I’ll see you later.”

Lily and Callie waved Seth off as Lauren hurried to the back. She nearly ran into Evie as she walked into the kitchen.

“How are things looking back here?” she asked Clark.

“Getting the last two dinners up. Why?”

“Was going to take my break if we’re caught up.”

Evie shooed her away. “Go on and take it. I’ll hit your tables for any refills. You’re caught up on your deliveries. As soon as I take my two out, I’ll be caught up and I’ll take any newcomers that walk in.”

Lauren flashed a grin. “Thanks, Evie. You’re the best.”

Clark gave them both indulgent smiles. “You two are the best waitresses I’ve ever had. Can’t begrudge you a break. You’ve earned it. We’ve been busting ass since opening time this morning.”

“Typical Monday,” Evie said with a shrug.

Lauren turned and hurried back to where Lily and Callie sat. She snagged a chair from a nearby empty table and parked it at the end of the two-person booth.

“So what are you two up to today? Just doing lunch? And where is Mama C?”

“She’s baby shopping. In Denver,” Callie added. “Which means the dads went with her because they still won’t let her drive pretty much anywhere by herself. She’s decided she needs to outfit an entire nursery at her house for when the baby stays over.”

Lauren chuckled. “I can only imagine.”

Lily smiled. “She’s been so wonderful to me. She’s already explained that she’s coming to stay with me for the entire week after the baby is born and that I won’t have to lift a single finger. She’s barked orders at the men. Dillon is on cooking duty. Michael and Seth are sharing diaper changing and bottle-feeding when I need a break from breast-feeding.”

Lily grew misty eyed. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. Or the entire Colter family. Even the dads have volunteered to come over so Seth, Dillon and Michael can get some rest. I can’t even explain how much just knowing that they’ll be right there, for however we need them, means to me. It’s like a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Callie reached over to squeeze her hand. “And you forget me and Max. We’ll be right here whenever you need us.”

“And me,” Lauren piped up.

Lily smiled. “Yes of course. You’ll be right here in the middle of all of us. It’s a pretty wonderful place to be, you know.”

Callie turned a purposeful stare in Lauren’s direction. “Okay, so, I’ll fully admit, Lily and I came here with a purpose, and we also waited until Noah and Liam left before we came in because we wanted to corner you and interrogate you mercilessly.”

“Uh-oh,” Lauren muttered.”

Lily laughed. “You have to tell us what’s going on with those two. And don’t give us the cock-and-bull story about how they’re just protecting you until things are resolved with Joel. Because the way they look at you? Makes me shiver. There’s definitely more to this story than you’re letting on.”

Lauren blushed, her face warming under their scrutiny.

“I knew it!” Callie crowed. “Look at her face! Totally busted.”

Lauren sighed. “Okay, okay. Yes, there’s something more than just a professional relationship.”

“Which one?” Lily said, pouncing on the subject. “My money is on Liam. He’s so dark and broody and delicious. And those tattoos. Yum. He totally reminds me of Dillon.”

Callie shook her head. “I’m betting Noah. His gaze never leaves her. He’s constantly watching her. Always looking for any kind of threat to her. But when he looks directly at her, I swear that man’s eyes just smolder. If you could bottle that look? We could make millions. He is sex in a can, I’m telling you.”