Isla nodded. “Yeah, other than those scheduled for a C-section, the mom doesn’t seem to have much say in the matter.”
“Which is unfortunate for Stef,” she said. “I just saw her before I got here, and the poor woman was in the back of her shop with her feet up because her ankles were swelling.”
Sympathy wrinkled Christa’s forehead. “I remember that stage. It was like my ankles had completely disappeared, allowing my leg to butt up against my foot.”
Lyndsey snorted. “Nice visual.”
“You’re welcome.” Christa chuckled.
Concern straightened Isla’s shoulders. “You did say ankles, as in both, right?”
“Yeah, both,” she told her friend who appeared to slip into nursing mode.
“Okay.” Isla visibly relaxed. “I’m glad Stef had her feet up. Were they elevated above her heart, though?”
She nodded. “Yeah, she was flat on her back on the couch with some pillows under her back and calves.”
“Perfect.” Isla smiled. “So, do we think she’ll hit her due date?”
Emily shrugged. “Don’t firstborns sometimes come later? I was the third child, and my mother said even though the third usually comes sooner, I waited a week and came out on my own terms.”
Lyndsey snickered. “That, I’d believe.”
If the woman had been sitting next to her instead of across from her, Emily would’ve elbowed her in the ribs, but since that wasn’t an option, she stuck her tongue out at her.
“Ah, only my wife could extract that type of reaction,” Gabe said, approaching their table in his uniform.
She knew from Lyndsey that he was on duty until later.
A warm smile spread across her friend’s face and softened her gaze. “Hi, hon.” Lyndsey lifted her face to receive a quick kiss before the sheriff procured a chair from a nearby table that wasn’t using it and set it next to his wife. “And you know I’m capable of extracting many reactions.”
Gabe sat down and grinned at Lyndsey. “Right back at you.”
“So, maybe we three should catch the next dance,” Isla said, nodding toward the crowded dance floor.
The married couple laughed.
“No, that’s not necessary,” Gabe said. “I’m not staying long. I have to get back to the station. I just came in for a quick bite to eat.”
“Well, maybe you’d like some privacy all the same,” Christa said, making to stand.
“That’s sweet of you but not necessary,” Lyndsey said, nodding toward the door. “Since your men just walked in.”
Emily set her hand on the table, about to push her seat back when Lyndsey shook her head.
“Your man’s here too.”
My man?
She rolled her eyes at her friend. “I don’t have a man.”
Mischief twinkled in Isla’s gaze. “Does Holden know that?”
She turned to find Holden walking through the bar with Hunter and Sinjin. Just about all the single women—and some who weren’t—fastened their gazes on the testosterone triple threat headed their way.
None of the guys paid any mind to the female attention, including Holden. His gorgeous hazel gaze wore the same warm, determined expression his buddies bestowed on their women, and Emily’s heart skipped a beat as she realized his attention was directed at her.
Chapter Six
