“We’ll wait outside,” Amy said, releasing Cissy’s hand.
“No.” Cissy grabbed the sleeve of her sweater. “Please stay.”
Her chin trembled but she grinned and held up her other hand which held Dominic’s. She wiggled it and laughed nervously.
“What with the boys, I’ve gotten used to having both hands full,” Cissy said. “It’s more comforting.”
Amy hesitated at the fear shadowing Cissy’s eyes. She knew how it felt to lie on a bed waiting for the world to crumble. To hear your worst nightmare as a mother spoken out loud by a stranger.
Amy sighed, forcing a small smile and taking Cissy’s hand again.
Logan shifted restlessly at the exit. “Amy—”
“I’m staying, Logan.”
He frowned but didn’t argue, leaving and shutting the door behind him.
“Thank you for staying,” Cissy whispered.
The nurse tugged the hem of Cissy’s hospital gown from underneath the cover and Dominic tucked the sheet around the underside of her bare belly.
“I told my husband this wasn’t necessary.” Cissy laughed nervously. “It really wasn’t that hard of a fall, and I feel perfectly fine.”
The nurse smiled and rolled closer on the stool, squeezing a glob of jelly onto Cissy’s protruding middle.
“It never hurts to double-check,” she said. “Besides—” she winked at Dominic “—I think this proud papa will rest easier knowing all of you are okay.”
Dominic nodded, jaw clenching and dark eyes worried. Amy tightened her hand around Cissy’s and did her best to put on a calm front.
The next few minutes stretched on for an eternity as the nurse moved the probe over Cissy’s belly. She searched around then hovered in one spot. A strong throb pulsated around the room, evoking a heavy sigh of relief from Dominic. Locating the second heartbeat, the nurse eased back on the stool to give them all an unobstructed view of the monitor.
“There,” she said. “You can relax. Mom and babies are safe and comfortable.”
Dominic’s smile stretched wide.
The nurse packed up the equipment and wiped Cissy’s skin clean, pausing on her way out to say, “You two better get plenty of rest. The opportunity will be gone in a couple months.”
Dominic chuckled. He bent, showering kisses all over Cissy’s belly, then cradled her face in his big palms and touched a tender kiss to her lips.
The bittersweetness of the sight warmed Amy’s chest and tears welled in her eyes. She dropped her gaze, the cut on her side throbbing stronger than ever.
Cissy laughed. “Can we go home now?”
“Yep.” Dominic straightened. “I’ll help you get dressed and we’ll check out.”
Amy’s skin heated beneath the weight of Dominic’s scrutiny.
“Amy?” Dominic’s warm palm touched her arm. “Why don’t you and Logan head back home? It’s been a long day for y’all, too.”
Amy nodded.
“Do you mind checking on the boys for us when you get back?” Cissy asked.
“I’d be glad to.”
Amy moved to the door, pressing a fingertip to the corner of each eye as she turned away. Dominic’s heavy tread sounded behind her.
“Thanks, Ames,” he said, pecking a kiss to her cheek. “Thank Logan for me, too, okay?”
Amy left and joined Logan in the hall.
“The babies are fine,” she said. “And so is Cissy.”
Logan released a heavy breath. He shoved away from the wall and stepped close. His dark eyes hovered on her face. He swept the pad of his thumb over the wetness lining her lower lashes.
Drawing his hand away, he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together and his mouth drew into a tight line. “Let’s get outta here.”
His big hand engulfed hers and squeezed, pulling her to the exit.
The drive home was silent. Only the sporadic clicking of the truck’s blinker and jingle of keys hanging from the ignition filled the cab. Logan squeezed Amy’s hand for the length of the ride, releasing it to change gears or navigate a turn then clasping it tight again.
They pulled to a stop in front of the main house. The truck’s headlights flooded the front porch, highlighting the boys and Betty huddled on the steps under a blanket.
“Their little butts should be in bed.” Logan cut the engine and thrust the door open.
“Don’t be so hard on them. They had good intentions.”
Amy sighed at his glower. She trailed Logan to the porch, wincing as the boys’ eyes widened up at him. They scrunched together, tugging the blanket up over their heads.
“What are you two still doing up?” Logan pulled the cover down.
“They wanted to wait for Cissy to get home.” Betty stood and ran the back of her hand across her forehead. “We’ve all been worried. But, at least, we’ve been able to rest a little easier since Dominic called from the hospital to say they’d be on the way back soon.”
“Well, that’ll take some time, yet,” Logan said. “Everything’s fine. There’s no need to wait.” He steered Betty toward the door. “Take a break and put your feet up. We’ll look after the boys.”
Betty nodded gratefully, saying over her shoulder, “Pop and Traci are still out in the stables. They had a lot of horses to calm down but they should be in soon.”
Logan waited as the door closed behind Betty, then glared down at the boys.
“Do you have any idea how much chaos you created this afternoon?”
Kayden sat up, face twisting. “Uh-uh. Don’t look at me, Uncle Logan. I ain’t do it this time. It was all Jay—”
“You.” Logan snapped his fingers at Kayden, then pointed to the door. “Bed. Now.”
Kayden clamped his mouth shut, jumped to his feet and scurried inside.
“Hate to say it,” Logan murmured, “but Kayden’s right this time.” He narrowed his eyes on Jayden. “What were you thinking, Jayden? This is the kinda thing I’d expect from your brother. Not from you.”
Jayden’s lips quivered. “I wanted to—”
“Didn’t I tell you to keep your distance from Thunder and let us handle it?” Logan shook his head. “I told you he gets wild when he’s let loose. And, yet, you did the exact opposite of what I told you to do.”
Jayden’s eyes flooded, big tears spilling over his lashes and streaming down his cheeks.
“But he was sad,” Jayden whispered. “He wanted out—”
“He’s not sad,” Logan clipped. “He’s wild. So wild he almost ran you and your aunt Cissy over.” He bent, pinching Jayden’s chin between his fingers and tilting his face up. “Not to mention the babies.”
Jayden’s face crumpled, his sobs overtaking Logan’s words.
“Okay, Logan.” Amy removed his hand and stepped between the two. “You’ve made your point.”
She helped Jayden to his feet. Jayden wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his flushed face against her belly. His tight hold dug into the wound on her side. A fresh rivulet of blood trickled over her skin and dampened her sweater. Amy grimaced, shifting him