Sinclair Justice (Texas Rangers #2)(83)

Ross bellowed, “Where’s my not so little woman?”

Emm yelled back, “And whose fault is that? Where’s my dinner? I’m hungry.” She grinned at Jasmine and Yaney. All four women went to the balcony, which overlooked the lobby.

“You’re always hungry,” Ross said, grinning foolishly up at his wife.

Chad and Ross bounded up the steps. “Jasmine, don’t get any ideas,” Chad warned, stopping two steps down when he saw Jasmine standing next to rounded Emm. Ross finished the climb, grinning as he watched the debate.

Blinking innocently, Jasmine looked at Chad. “What ideas?” She caressed Emm’s stomach.

Emm held her hand there. “Feel him kick?” They knew it was a boy. Because Emm had turned thirty-nine during her pregnancy, they’d had all the latest tests.

Chad pretended horror. “Good grief, what if it’s catching?”

Ross put his arm around his wife and grinned at her. “Yeah, what if it is? Three boys is better than two, I’ve heard. More compromise.”

Chad pushed his hat back. “Yeah, not when they’re led by a little terror who’s too much like his namesake.” Trey was entering his terrible twos, and Chad was still learning to be a father. He’d resisted Jasmine’s efforts to talk him into another child. So far.

But he was wobbling.

Ross winked slyly at Jasmine. “You just need to whip up some more fried chicken. That’ll soften him up.”

Jasmine hooked her arm with Chad’s. “Good idea. Would you all like to come out this weekend? I promise not to burn it this time.”

Pulling her close, Chad drawled, “I know of something else that would work for sure.”

“What’s that?” Jasmine smiled up at him.

“A leather harness suspended from the beams.”

Jasmine whacked him as the others laughed. Abby looked mystified, but her rare laugh made the others smile when Emm whispered in her ear.

Then all of them trailed after Emm as she continued the tour. Emm was literally glowing, partly from the pregnancy but mostly from happiness.





Abby trailed behind, bringing up the rear, feeling a bit like an intruder.

And if somewhere, deep inside, she was both a bit envious and a bit melancholy at the sight of the happy couples, she didn’t show it.

Yancy dropped back to join her. She saw the look on Abby’s face and hooked arms with her. “All this domestic bliss makes me want to toss my cookies. Would you like to go with me to this cute little dive bar I’ve found?”

Abby wasn’t precisely certain what a dive bar was, but she really liked Yancy, who in her own way was just as unconventional and secure in her own skin as she was. “I would enjoy that immensely.”

And off the two women went.

The other four didn’t even notice.