“What about you?” I ask softly.

“I have everything I want in this bed,” he replies and I have to lower my eyes so he can’t see the tears that come at that statement.

Ask him if he’s going to stay! Tell him you love him! Stop being a pain in the ass and torturing yourself!

But instead, because I’m an idiot, I simply kiss Sam’s head and settle in next to him, not saying anything.

“I love you, Rhys.” Sam’s voice is sure and unwavering as he says those words that I find impossible to say. Rhys simply smiles softly and kisses Sam’s head.

“I love you too, buddy.”

He loves my son.

“I love you, Mama,” Sam says softly.

“I love you too, baby boy.”

“I’m not a baby boy. I’m a man,” he says with as much indignation he can muster, given how crappy he feels. Rhys and I both chuckle.

“Well, I think that when you’re sick like this, you’re still my baby boy,” I reply. “You were so tiny when you were born.”

Rhys tilts his head to the side in curiosity.

“He loves hearing the story of how he was born.”

“Tell me again,” Sam says, his eyes closed now. Derek is snoring loudly, snuggled between Sam’s legs.

“It was a really hot summer night,” I begin the way I always do. “And I was in my room at Nannan and Pawpaw’s house, when suddenly, my water broke.”

“That’s gross,” Sam says.

“It was scary because you weren’t supposed to come for six more weeks.” I bite my lip as I think back to how terrified I was at the thought of having Sam so early. “But, I’ve come to learn that you’re just an impatient boy.”

“Am not,” he mutters.

“Okay.” I chuckle and kiss his head. “So, I woke Pawpaw up and he took me to the hospital while Nannan called all of the others, and they met us there later.”

“And Uncle Beau and Aunt Charly were in the room when I was born.”

“That’s right. You took your time, though. Twenty-six hours of labor was a long time, but then suddenly, there you were, all pink and tiny, and angry as could be.”

“Well, I was getting crowded in your belly,” Sam says logically.

“I see. Well, we got you all cleaned off, and the nurse laid you on my chest, and you looked up at me and just stared at me as I talked to you, as if you already knew that I was your mama.”

“It’s because it’s just you and me, against the world,” he whispers softly, making more tears spring in my eyes. God, I’m so damn emotional tonight!

“That’s right,” I whisper back, and glance up to see Rhys watching us, listening intently. “And you were as healthy as could be, even as tiny as you were.”

“I eat all the gross vegetables you make me eat,” he says. He’s so sleepy, he’s going to drift off any second. So, I stop talking and just stroke my fingertips over his forehead, his cheeks, through his hair.

“I hate that you went through that alone,” Rhys says softly when Sam is finally asleep.

“I didn’t. I had my family with me.”

“I know, but it’s not the same. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

I bite my lip, thinking about that night not so long ago, and how loved I felt.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything in that moment. My family was there, loving us so much, and I had him. At the end of the day, he was all that mattered.”

Rhys nods and leans over Sam to kiss my lips gently. “You should sleep too, baby.”

“I know. Are you staying?”

“Do you mind if I do?”

I glance down at my son and his sleeping puppy, then back up at this strong, sweet, loving man. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Good, because you were going to have a very difficult time getting me out of here.”

Chapter Sixteen

~Gabby~

I haven’t just laid in bed and enjoyed the quiet in…I don’t remember the last time. Eva’s been with me long enough now that I feel comfortable leaving the inn in her hands. I heard Sam get up with Rhys about an hour ago, and it sounded like they were headed to the barn to work out.

That Sam enjoys working out with Rhys makes me smile. It’s been two days since he had the nasty bug, but it was gone by morning, and he was back to his old self yesterday.

And now, lying here, I feel like I’m catching it.

Figures.

I haven’t thrown up yet, but I feel a bit queasy. Thankfully, his only lasted about eight hours.

I hope I’m that lucky.

I’m scrolling through my phone, pinning recipes on Pinterest, when it suddenly starts to ring.

Unknown number.

“Ugh, give it up already,” I mutter as I accept the call. “Hello.”

There’s a pause and I’m about to hang up when a man’s voice says, “Gabby?”

“Yes. Can I help you?”

“This is Colby.”

My mouth drops open, and a cold sweat immediately breaks out over my skin. “What do you want? Are you the idiot that’s been hanging up on me lately?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mutters, clearly lying. “Did you get my email a couple months ago?”

“I did.”

“Why didn’t you respond? I want to see my child.”

“I didn’t respond because you signed your rights away, Colby.” I swallow hard and close my eyes, determined to stay bad-ass during this conversation. “There was no need to reply to your email.”