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I WANTED TO FIND TIME
to check on Baby March before I had to leave for the Brooks’ house, but unfortunately it was already past six, and I still had another thirty minute drive ahead of me. Turner was going to wait for me, but I insisted that he go ahead of me. I didn’t want his family to hold off on dinner just because I was running late. I even suggested taking a rain check but he assured me it was fine.

“Hey, I’m heading out. All my patients have been passed off. Have a good weekend,” I called over my shoulder to my charge nurse.

“You too, hon,” she replied.

Once out in the parking garage, I climbed into my car, tossed my bag onto the passenger seat and got on the road. I was actually looking forward to this evening. I may have been more nervous if this was my first time meeting the Brooks family, but it wasn’t. Being around this family was comforting. I wasn’t sure if that was odd, but I accepted the emotion. Paul and Donna had a way of making you feel like you were one of their kids. I’d be willing to bet they never met a stranger. Rolling the windows down, and turning the radio up, I sat back and enjoyed my short drive to their house.

Turner came outside to greet me when I pulled into the half circle driveway. He opened my door and bent down to greet me with a kiss on the cheek, I was motionless. Normally, I didn’t get this from him until the end of the date. Apparently, he was trying to keep me on my toes by switching things up. I sighed deeply, unable to stop the girlyness from escaping my throat.

He smiled a dazzling, warm smile at me. “Glad you made it.”

After I got out of the car, he shut the door behind me and we started walking toward the house. The driveway contained several other parked vehicles, two of which I recognized as Keegan and Macie’s. I didn’t think Macie would be here, but knowing Keegan she probably talked her into it.

“Me too.”

“How was your shift?”

“Long and tedious. But when it comes to labor, sometimes tedious is good.” I laughed. “Excitement on my floor means a momma is struggling or baby is. Not necessarily something we want.” It was weird how comfortable this simple conversation was to have with him. Almost like we’d done it for years.

“Hmmm, I see what you’re saying. Well, I hope you worked up an appetite. Pretty sure my dad bought every meat the market down the street had in the display case. Plus, my mom made her famous dill potato salad and caprese salad, and knowing her, there will be no less than three different desserts to choose from later. I think Keegan brought some food, too.”

My stomach rumbled. “Oh, I definitely have an appetite right now. Maybe too much of one.”

He squeezed my hand and winked at me. That rumble turned to flutters. He was getting to me.

“Well, eat your fill. Regardless, I know Mom will send you home with a container full of leftovers. That’s half the reason I come over.”

I slapped at his arm and smiled. “You’re such a guy. Does your mother know you use her for her cooking?”

“Absolutely. My brothers and I have been eating them out of house and home since we were kids. She lives for this.”

I’m pretty sure she probably did. In the short time I’d known Donna, I got the impression she was your typical southern woman and mom. Small wasn’t in her vocabulary unless it referred to herself. Her home was immaculate, her cooking was perfection, she raised her boys to be southern gentlemen, and she did it all without a hair out of place on her head.

Stepping into the front door, I was greeted by so many smells, the scent of comfort food permeating throughout the home. It has been a while since I’d walked into something like this. In fact the last time was when I was here.

“Hi, Annabelle! How are you, honey?” Donna came around the corner dressed in a cute summer maxi dress and an apron. Sweetness poured out of her voice.

My automatic reaction was to go to her. She opened her arms to me and greeted me with a hug. I was
not
an affectionate person, but for whatever reason with her, it felt natural and okay. Donna even smelled good. Like a mom, if that made any sense.

“I’m good.” I released from her embrace. “Thank you so much for having me. I’m sorry I’m late.”

She waved her hand in front of me. “Oh please. You’re not late, you’re right on time. Paul is just finishing up on the grill and Keegan is getting everyone’s drinks. Come on in and make yourself at home. What would you like to drink with dinner? We have lemonade, sweet tea, or I think there’s some beer in the fridge downstairs, Turner could go get you one.”

I looked up at him. He was beaming down at his mom. Huh, I never noticed it before, but he was definitely a momma’s boy. It was written all over his face. The adoration in his eyes couldn’t be missed.

“Actually, a lemonade would be fine, thank you,” I replied politely.

“You got it.” She winked at me. Her smile and Turner’s were exactly the same. My eyes fixated on her straight teeth and dazzling expression. “Son, fix her a glass please, and go check on your daddy. I’m worried he’s going to burn the chicken breasts attempting to get those darn char lines perfect.”

Turner sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Without the sass, young man,” she admonished.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at their exchange.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll be right back.” He squeezed my hand again, and released it. When he walked out of the foyer, I gave Donna my attention again. She was standing with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

“He was never my stubborn one, but, boy, he liked to push my buttons.”

“Turner, not stubborn?” Now I did laugh.

“Has he been giving you a hard time?”

I thought back to previous conversations, and places he’d taken me. “Oh, you could say that.”

“Sounds like my boy could use a talkin’ to.”

I reached forward and touched her arm. “No, it’s fine. I’m teasing. I’ve just learned he doesn’t like to take no for an answer.” I realized what I said after the words already left my mouth, but thankfully Donna didn’t reply to my comment the way it could have been taken.

“No, he doesn’t,” she agreed.

“It’s not always a bad thing though. He’s been . . . sweet.”

She exhaled. “That’s good. Well, I’m going to go check on the pies. Keegan and Macie are in the dining room if you want to go say hello.”

“Do you need any help in the kitchen?” Not that I’d be much help. I’d never been much of a baker or chef.

“No, but thank you.”

I nodded and headed to the dining room. The house was big, but I remembered where some of the rooms were from the wedding and my last visit. I heard Macie’s loud voice echoing across the way, which told me I was heading in the right direction. Once around the corner, I saw Keegan placing napkins and silverware next to each plate, and Macie sitting with her arms crossed. She looked like she was pouting.

“Hey, beautiful girl.” Keegan glanced up at me.

“Hey, girls.”

“Ugh, another one that has fallen for the Brooks’ Charm.” The distaste in Macie’s voice was strong.

I gave her a perplexed look. “What are you talking about? I’m confused.”

She rolled her eyes. “Turner. That’s what I’m talking about.”

I looked to Keegan for some clarification.

“Mace, stop it. Don’t mind her. She’s extra pissy today for some reason. Is it getting close to your time of the month?”

“Shark week? Pssh, no. I’m just realizing I’m surrounded by suckers.”

“Okay, now that’s enough. Whatever this bad mood you’re in is, cut it out. You’re going to ruin my good time, Annabelle’s, and the rest of the family,” Keegan snapped.

“Hey.” Macie raised her hands in the air. “I’m just making an observation.”

“You’re also making an ass out of yourself.”

Macie jerked her head back. I needed to step in before this escalated further.

“Alright, ladies, simmer down. I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, it’s not worth it.”

“You have no idea,” Macie mumbled.

“I guess not, but Keegan has a point. I don’t know what you’re feeling sour about, but maybe we can talk about it after dinner, and we’ve all had something good to eat. Okay?’

She tipped her head down, clearly frustrated. Keegan shook her head and kept setting the table. Never had I seen these two girls fight, but something was bothering both of them. I wasn’t one to be a mediator, but I would be right now if I had to be. It stayed silent for a couple of minutes before Turner came into the room smelling of the grill outside. He took one look at me and came to my side.

“You okay?” he asked quietly. His eyes roamed over to the other girls.

“Yeah.”

He brushed my hair back behind my ear in a tender way. His fingers gently caressed the side of my cheek. All thoughts of Keegan and Macie left my mind. I was standing there front of Turner and as far as I was concerned, nobody else was in the room. How did he have the power to do that?

“You sure?”

“Mhmm.”

He caught onto the trance he was putting me in and must’ve decided it wasn’t the time or the place. Stepping back, he greeted the two girls. Both mumbled hellos.

Donna came into the room and clapped her hands, completely oblivious to the tension between everyone.

“Alright, who’s hungry?”

As if by magic, all of us shifted and the room lightened significantly. Hmmm, and I thought Turner was capable of some crazy shit. Turner pointed me in the direction of where we were sitting, and everyone filed in over the next couple of minutes. It didn’t take long before we were all seated and our plates were filled. Chatter of work, new dogs, and college were amongst the conversation. If there was any rigidness remaining, it was only between Macie and Dodger, who were sitting on opposite ends of the table from each other. Clearly this was where her issue laid. I didn’t understand it and I wasn’t sure I ever would. Dodger was head over heels for Macie, and whether she realized it or not, she felt the same way. Never in my life have I seen two people more meant for each other, and yet fight against it so hard. I didn’t know who was pushing who away, but I did know it wasted precious time. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my parents, it’s that time is invaluable. I’d give anything to have another five minutes with them.

We all were sitting back in our chairs, nursing overstuffed bellies when Keegan asked me a question.

“Lauren, from NICU, said you’ve been visiting a baby you helped deliver. How’s he doing?”

The question seemed innocent, but it made me pause in my response. It wasn’t like I was trying to slip in and out unnoticed, but obviously I was going in there often enough to cause some talk.

I felt Turner’s eyes on the side of my face, but I ignored it. “He’s doing well. They just lowered his oxygen and he isn’t struggling, so that’s good.”

“What baby are we talking about?” Donna chimed in.

Ugh, way to go Keegan. This wasn’t a subject I wanted to talk about. Especially with all these people, let alone Turner listening. I knew as soon as we were alone, he was going to ask me questions. He was reading me right now.

I glanced around the table and all eyes were on me. “I had a patient a couple weeks ago give birth to a premature baby. I sometimes go check on it.”

Donna’s eyes softened. “Oh my, that’s very sweet of you.”

“Well, it wasn’t quite that simple. The mom was an addict. She ended up abandoning him the same day she gave birth. Seriously, it was terrible. I’m telling you, had I been the delivering nurse that day, I would have given her a piece of my mind.” Keegan was getting riled up. I wanted to slap her for divulging so much.

“When was this?” Turner asked.

I didn’t give him my eyes. I didn’t want to. He’d see exactly what talking about the baby did to me.

“It was the day after the wedding.”

“I don’t know how a mother could just leave their baby like that.” Donna had tears in her eyes. God, this subject needed to be changed quick. “It was a boy?”

I nodded.

“Do you know what’s going to happen to him when he’s strong enough to get out of the hospital?”

This was a question that plagued me more and more as the baby grew stronger. I honestly didn’t know what would happen to him, but I could only assume he would go into the state’s care.

“I’m not certain. But there are a lot of adoptive parents out there that would love to have a newborn baby. Just don’t know what kind of long term effects he will have from everything his mother was on. So it could be a tricky case.”

Turner touched the small of my back. He was giving me comfort when I didn’t even realize I needed it.

“So, yeah, great dinner time convo,” Macie piped in, clearly not wanting to talk about this any longer. Thank God, I could hug her. “Donna, I’m going to start cleaning up, is that okay?”

All of the attention that was on me, shifted to her.

“Sure, darlin’. I’ll help.”

Macie shook her head. “No, it’s okay, I don’t mind. You made a fabulous dinner, you deserve to relax and enjoy your boys.” She stood up and grabbed the plates nearest to her. When she walked out, Dodger stood up and followed. I knew I wasn’t the only one that would like to know what was going on with those two.