“I wanted to,” he replied, leaning in slightly. “Plus, I like having excuses to see you.”
Lila smiled, but her gaze drifted toward the window upstairs, where she could just barely make out the corner of Camille’s curtain. The tension in her chest tightened, and Whit noticed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone low.
“Camille’s home,” Lila said quietly. “She’s upstairs.”
Whit straightened, the easy smile fading into something more careful. “Didn’t realize she’d be here.”
“She came back last night. Surprise visit.” Lila tried to sound light, but it came out strained. “She doesn’t know you’re here.”
Whit tilted his head, studying her. “You want me to leave?”
“No,” she said quickly, her hand reaching for his arm. “I just…wasn’t expecting her, that’s all.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Everything alright?” he gently probed.
“Not really,” Lila murmured.
He followed her inside, his movements deliberate, like he was giving her space. Her chest ached at how understanding he always was.
Whit leaned against the counter, arms crossed, as Lila moved around the kitchen. The low hum of the kettle on the stove filled the silence between them. He’d shown up to bring the chains for her car, but somehow they’d ended up here, in the warmth of the kitchen, with something much heavier hanging in the air.
Lila stood by the sink, staring out the window at the frost formed on the grass. She gripped the edge of the counter, as if steadying herself for what she was about to say.
“Camille’s pregnant,” she said softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the refrigerator.
Whit straightened, his eyes searching hers. “What?”
“She told me last night,” Lila continued, turning to face him. Her arms crossed protectively over her chest. “She’s scared. I’m scared. I don’t even know what to say to her, let alone what to do.”
Whit stayed quiet for a moment, letting the weight of her words settle. Then, he stepped closer, his boots scuffing softly against the tiled floor. “How’s she handling it?”
Lila let out a shaky breath. “Not great. She’s overwhelmed. She hasn’t told anyone else yet—just me. And I...I don’t think I’ve been handling it very well either.” She looked down, her voice breaking. “She’s so young, Whit. This isn’t what I wanted for her. Not like this.”
Whit reached out, his hand warm as it covered hers on the counter. “Lila, it’s okay to feel that way. It’s a lot to take in.”
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “What if I fail her? What if I don’t know how to help her through this?”
“You won’t fail,” Whit said firmly, his gaze steady. “You’re her mom. You’ve been there for her through everything, and you’ll be there for her now. She’s lucky to have you.”
Lila gave a hollow laugh, brushing at her cheek. “I don’t feel like enough right now. Goodness, I don’t even have all the information, let alone answers. I didn’t want to push.”
“You don’t have to have all the answers,” he said gently. “Just be there. That’s what she needs most.”
She searched his face, the warmth and understanding in his eyes easing some of the tension in her chest. “I guess we’ll get through this. We don’t have a choice.”
“I know you can,” Whit said. “And if you need me—if Camille needs me—I’m here. For both of you.”
The tears spilled over then, and she let out a soft, broken laugh. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It’s not simple,” he admitted, his voice softening. “But you’re not alone, Lila. You’ve got me. And together, we’ll figure it out.”
For a long moment, she just stood there, letting his words settle into the parts of her heart that had been clenched with fear and doubt. She nodded, swallowing hard. “Thank you,” she whispered.
For years after losing Aaron, she’d had to carry every heavy weight on her shoulders…alone. It felt odd to have a man to share the burdens. It felt good.
He pulled her into his arms, and she let herself sink into the solid comfort of him, the smell of leather and cedar grounding her. For the first time since Camille had dropped the news, she felt like she could breathe again.
