Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Briar

" D o we have to go?" Emmett wraps his arms around my waist, tugging me against him and away from the bathroom counter.

"I'm trying to get ready," I say, tilting my neck so he can kiss his way up to my ear.

He lightly bites my earlobe and sucks it. "Come back to bed."

"It's your brother's baby shower."

His hands fall to my stomach. "And yours will be next."

"I don't expect a shower."

He slides his hands to my hips and turns me around to face him, stepping into me so my back presses against the counter. "Everyone will want to celebrate this little one."

I'm not so sure. There are so many questions that wake me up at night. If I stay with Emmett, will the Noughtons accept my baby since he's not the father? They're all sweet and nice, but this circumstance is unusual. Then again, they've accepted Clayton as their own.

"Stop thinking so hard." He presses his lips to my collarbone. "You're putting too much stress on yourself, which can be solved by just telling Gillian."

I slide out of his arms, turning to the sink to continue putting on my makeup.

He sighs. "I'm just?—"

"I know. I know. We're having lunch in Lincoln this week under the guise of it being a shopping trip. I'll tell her then. Far away from here where she'll have to ride back with me."

He slides up to sit on the counter, watching me. "I'd like to be there for you."

I side-eye him, putting on my eyeliner. "I think it's best that I do this alone."

"Cool." He pushes off the counter, goes to the shower, and turns it on.

"Emmett…" I sigh, knowing he's disappointed.

He's been making little comments here and there, and I think he's growing restless that we haven't told anyone.

He strips his boxers off and is about to get into the shower when I hug him from behind, pressing kisses along his spine.

"Don't be mad." I tighten my arms around him, and his hands cover my hands on his chest.

"I just feel like we're in a stall pattern until everyone knows. I thought sneaking around would be fun for a while, but it's not."

I squeeze him. "You're right. I can't today because I don't want to ruin Sadie and Jude's baby shower, but tonight. I'll tell her everything tonight." It's time I woman up and tell Gillian the truth. As it is, I have to face Chad at some point as well.

He swivels in my arms, takes my head in his hands, and kisses me thoroughly. "I think you'll feel better, and then you just have to concentrate on growing this little one."

"And we can focus on getting the dude ranch going for you. And we need to talk about that daddy shower thing. I think it could be a profitable endeavor. Along with the gender reveal parties. These are all ideas we need to sketch out into a business plan for you to present at that quarterly meeting you mentioned."

"Would you help me?"

"You don't even need to ask." I kiss his chest. "Now go clean up so we're not late."

"I'd rather get dirty with you." He pulls me into him, his hardening length pressing against my stomach.

It's so tempting, but if I'm telling Gillian tonight, then I need to make sure I'm on time for the shower. No sense starting off on the wrong foot by being late.

I push his chest. "Go."

"Later?" He cocks an eyebrow and opens the shower door.

"Is that even a question?"

He steps into the shower, and I go into my bedroom, which I'm never in anymore, and grab the flowy dress I plan to wear. I stare at myself in the mirror, turning to the side and examining my stomach. It's protruding a bit, but I'm sure to anyone else, it looks as though I ate a big meal. I run my hands over the tiny swell.

This thing with Emmett has been so wonderful. Who would've guessed that he'd be so forthcoming with his feelings? He's let me in completely. The only thing he hasn't talked about much is his brothers and the fight they had, but I know it bothers him.

We've barely been together for any real time at all, and I'm not na?ve enough to think that with all the obstacles we're about to face, we'll for sure make it to the happily ever after stage, but I know he's worth the risk. He's worth the heartbreak if it ends up not working. I will be crushed, as my feelings for him are already so much more than I felt for Chad, but what if it does work? There's no chance I can walk away now and live with the what-ifs.

I look down at my stomach. "Regardless, it will always be me and you, and I promise you, I'm not going anywhere," I whisper.

There's a knock at the front door, and I walk out of my bedroom and peek into Emmett's. His towel is around his waist, and he's in his closet, getting clothes.

"I'll get it," I say.

"You should, it's your house." He laughs.

I shake my head and walk down the steps, seeing Scarlett standing on the porch. I open the door for her, and she smiles, but something about it seems off.

"I love your dress," I say.

"You too." Her dark hair is pulled half up with the rest in waves, and her dress is a pretty maroon with a small flower pattern. "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Of course." I open the door wider and step out of the way. "Emmett is just finishing getting ready, I think."

"I can wait until he's done."

"Do you want a drink?" I head into the kitchen.

"Sure, water would be great."

She stands at the island, and I dig out two waters from the fridge. Her eyes scour the area, concentrating on some papers on the table. Emmett's plans for the dude ranch. If she notices what they are, she doesn't say anything.

"Exciting day," I say.

"Definitely." She glances at the stairs. "Sorry to barge in on you guys before the shower."

I wave her off. "No need to apologize. Is everything okay?"

"Um…yeah. Just something came up that I wanted to talk to you and Emmett about before the shower."

My hand tightens around my drink, and I take another sip of water. "You're scaring me. Does it have to do with the yoga classes? There aren't enough people, right?"

She waves me off and shakes her head. "No. It's going great, and we get rave reviews on your classes. Everyone loves you. I'm still trying to get more people there, but I think it will build over time. I planned for the classes not to be full at the beginning."

"I heard that Wild Bull Ranch is opening a spa," I say.

Scarlett scowls. "I hate Walker Matthews. Why would he start up a spa when he has the smallest B&B? I mean, come on, he can't compete with us. He's so cocky. Don't be surprised if I build a five thousand square foot spa just to one-up him."

I laugh and set my water on the counter as Emmett barrels down the stairs. He stops when he reaches Scarlett.

"Talking about Walker Matthews again?" He laughs, kissing his cousin on the cheek.

"The man drives me insane." She waves. "But I'm glad you're here. Can we sit?"

I glance at Emmett and his eyebrows furrow.

"What's up?" he asks.

Scarlett has always been super nice to me, but I don't know her well, so I'm hoping Emmett can decipher what I can't.

"Let's go into the family room." Emmett stands to the side, waiting for Scarlett to go first.

When I walk by, Emmett places his hand on the small of my back, leading me into the room. I step away as soon as Scarlett turns to sit in the chair.

She clasps her hands in her lap. "So, I got a call yesterday, and at first, I wasn't going to tell either of you about it because it's not really my business. I'm not like everyone else in this family who thinks that if it's a family member, we're entitled to know."

"Just spit it out, Scarlett," Emmett says.

"Do you know a woman named Parker?"

My body freezes, and my heart thumps loudly. Please say it's another Parker and not the woman we met in the waiting room in Lincoln.

"Um…" Emmett says because I'm frozen.

Scarlett's eyes are on me.

"What do you know?" I ask, ready to face it. She clearly knows something. She wouldn't be here otherwise.

"Well, she called and said she was friends with Emmett and his wife . That she's been following your account, Emmett, and ran into you both at your OB appointment."

"Man, she just outed us completely in one swoop," Emmett says, sliding closer to me and putting his arm around my back.

Scarlett's eyes widen. "You're married?"

Emmett shakes his head. "No, but we're a couple."

"That just kind of came out while we were talking to Parker," I say. "Didn't want to have to explain the situation."

"But you're pregnant?" She looks at me with wide eyes.

How can I tell her without telling Gillian first? It feels like such a betrayal. Emmett found out by accident, but if I tell Scarlett right now, it's purposely telling someone before my sister and that doesn't feel right. But I have no one to blame except myself for putting it off for so long.

"I am," I say. "It's complicated."

I don't mention the baby's parentage, not wanting to get into it right now. Gillian should be the first to know the whole situation.

She raises her hand and shakes her head. "It's not my business. I'm sure you have plans to tell people, but this Parker said she was going to drive down here today to see the place. She really wants some gender reveal party like the one she saw online."

"She's coming here?" My stomach turns over, and my head whips toward Emmett.

"I stalled her. I said we had a big family get-together today and that no one would have time to talk to her. She said okay, and I scheduled for her to come next week, even though we don't have a gender reveal party package." Her gaze lands on Emmett, and he laughs.

"Well…"

"Is this the thing Ben's been trying to talk to me about?" She looks toward the kitchen table again. "Why haven't you come to me?"

I pat his leg. "I should leave you guys alone."

Emmett grabs my hand. "Stay. You're just as big a part of this as me. You made me see a bigger vision."

Scarlett smiles at her cousin, and her gaze flicks to our joined hands. She crosses her legs, putting her elbow on her knee and her chin in her palm. "Tell me, because this Parker woman couldn't stop going on and on about the gender reveal and some daddy shower for her husband. It sounds like something we should offer."

I turn toward Emmett, and his face lights up. My heart explodes for him.

For the next half hour, Emmett tells Scarlett all the ideas we've come up with and how he wants to run it. He wants to be in charge of the dude ranch part, and he turns to me. "I think Briar should be in charge of the other plans. Putting schedules together, arranging whatever is on the other end."

"No," I say, my head going from him to Scarlett. "This is your idea. Not mine."

"Not true. When Parker came up to us, Briar is the one who sold her on the daddy shower thing. And she's had other ideas too."

Scarlett stares at me for a second. I'm ready for her to tell me I'm just a yoga instructor, but she leans forward and pats my leg. "Come see me in my office on Monday morning."

"But—"

"And you have my vote, Emmett. I'll stand by your side during the meeting."

A rush of air leaves Emmett. "Shit, Scarlett, I don't know what to say."

"That you should've come to me sooner?" She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh. "Now stand up and let me give you each a hug." I stand, and she squeezes me tightly. "Congratulations. I knew he'd find someone who could handle him. He's really a softy, isn't he?"

She laughs and walks over to Emmett. When she pulls away from their hug, Scarlett looks back at me. "Your secret is safe with me, but the family would be very happy to have you as a part of it. You practically are already. And I know Gillian has been a little overbearing lately, but she knows deep down that Emmett will take care of you. Trust her." She steps toward the door. "See you guys in a little bit."

We wave, and she shuts the door.

I blow out a breath. "Did that actually happen?"

"I was gonna ask you the same thing."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell her the baby isn't yours. I just…Gillian should know first."

"Don't sweat it." Emmett's arms swoop in and pick me up. "After you tell Gillian tonight, we'll finally be released from these chains, and we can just be us."

He swings me around, but all I can think is that telling my sister could be the start of a lot of problems for us. I'm not so sure Scarlett is right. But I sure hope she is.