Chapter Fourteen

Meg and Stella were meeting Mrs. Hall at a small, empty building on the same street as the diner and the tattoo shop. Locks had mentioned he owned the building across from the sheriff's building. The upper level had a small apartment, and the downstairs had been a business. It had a large front showroom and a small breakroom with a bathroom.

He didn't plan on using it, so he'd offered it for their quilting idea. Meg and Stella opened the door and walked in while they waited on Mrs. Hall.

"It's a little musty smelling, but I love the large space. If we wanted to, we could have the guys build a kids' area over here. If we made it look like a secret garden with a gate, the kids could be contained, and people wouldn't have to be worried about what the kids are getting into," Stella suggested.

"Oh, I like that idea. We'd be able to see them and chat with them but the younger ones couldn't get into anything."

"Yes, if it's during the evening, I don't want people to not attend because they can't afford childcare or don't have anyone to help."

Meg walked to check out the breakroom and bathroom. Nothing that a little cleaning couldn't fix from the dust that had collected. With the tile floor throughout the building, they might want to buy some rugs or a large remnant for part of the kids' area.

"Yoohoo, I brought a friend."

Meg walked out to see Stella with Mrs. Hall and Jesse. Meg walked toward the group, smiling. Jesse was one of Rascal's bonus daughters she hadn't been able to spend time with yet.

"Friends are always welcome, especially one of Rascal's bonus daughters. Were you in on the scheme to fix Rascal up? If so, I owe you."

Jesse chuckled. "Honestly, we all were. He deserved someone special, and I'm glad it worked out. I tagged along because I do want to learn to quilt at some point, but Mrs. Hall suggested you were the women who could help me."

"Do you want us to call Regina too?" Stella asked.

"Maybe later. I love Regina, and she has been a blessing since Mom died. I need unbiased opinions, which is why I wanted you all."

"Well, I noticed some folding chairs. Let me grab those and then we probably need to lock the door if we don't want to be interrupted," Meg suggested, then walked to the back to grab chairs. Stella grabbed a couple too, then motioned to the break room.

"How about in there where we don't need to worry about any busybodies walking down the street and wondering what's going on?"

Meg nodded. "Why don't you all come back here?" Meg yelled.

They set up the chairs around a table and then Meg grabbed some paper towels and wiped down the table. They gathered around the table and waited on Jesse.

"So, I slept with one of the brothers for a one-time fling, which we both agreed to and thought I was protected. I guess it failed."

Jesse's voice was breaking Meg's heart. She reached over and put her hand over Jesse's. Stella was sitting beside her and slid her arm around her.

"You have options."

Jesse shook her head. "The only option I'm considering is loving this baby for the rest of his or her life."

Mrs. Hall was staring at Jesse. "Does the father know?"

"He doesn't because when I went to tell him, I overhead him saying he never wanted kids. One of the guys asked him if he had a crush on me. He said he wasn't into immature girls, he liked women. I just can't say anything to him now."

Meg tried to think through if she could figure out who it was, but she didn't know the men quite as well. Honestly, it didn't matter who it was, she was going to support Jesse however she needed.

"Okay, so what do you need from us? I'll do whatever you need," Meg stated.

"I don't want anyone to know yet. I just want it between us. Oh, and Beth knows. I've been nauseous every morning. She's covered for me a few times."

"Well, lucky for you, I can give you a checkup, and we can do something for the nausea if it becomes a problem." Stella kissed Jesse's forehead. "You're one of mine now, too, so I have no problem keeping a secret, and technically, I can't tell anyone because you're a patient."

"Well, you're not my patient, but this is your choice, and I'll abide by it. I won't share with anyone, not even Rascal. I want to do whatever you need."

Jesse looked around at them with tears starting to pour down her face. "Thank you. Just knowing you're here for me is a help."

Meg had no problem not telling Rascal or lying to him about it. If he knew who had disrespected one of his bonus daughters, brother or not, he'd teach the man a lesson. Plus, she was sure if Jesse wanted the father beat up at a later date, there would be a line starting with Locks. She didn't envy Stella keeping silent around Locks. Stella was living in his house until she decided where she wanted to live. How hard would that be to keep from him?

"Okay, so I'm all on board with the secret, but when can we start buying baby clothes and stuff? I've never gotten to shop for anyone. Oh, and what about maternity clothes?"

"I ordered extra of my garage coveralls, and I'll use them to hide everything for now."

"Okay, I'll hold back, but trust me, I've never had a daughter, and if you're Rascal's bonus daughter, that makes you mine, too. At some point, I'm going to need to go overboard for you on clothes."

Jesse cracked a smile. "Thank you. I knew I could count on you all."

Mrs. Hall leaned closer. "Always, Jesse, always."

Meg didn't envy Jesse for not having the father support her, but she did envy her for having a baby. It's one thing she'd missed out on, but she loved the family she had now with Rascal. She could wallow in what she didn't have or rejoice in what she did. She was choosing joy since she couldn't change the past. She was planning on being the best grandma to each of them as possible.