“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use that word before,” Julia said, coming to look. But her friend was totally right. The mobile with cows, chickens, and pigs in pastel colors couldn’t be described any other way.

  “Perfect,” Maggie declared. She and Caitlin were both there as well. Her friends had arrived shortly after noon to help Julia put the final touches on the nursery.

  “Should I hang it up for you?” Sofia asked.

  Julia couldn’t answer for a moment since she was fighting back tears. She was so emotional, which wasn’t like her. She blamed it on the combination of pregnancy, cute baby things, and a broken heart. “I’d like that. You’ll have to put a hook in the ceiling.”

  “I’ll help. Where’s the crib going?” Maggie asked.

  The crib was one of the few items on the baby registry that hadn’t shown up yet. Package by package, the rest of her list had arrived on her doorstep, brought by Jake.

  “Over there.” She pointed to a sunny corner.

  “I’ll grab the stepladder,” Maggie volunteered. She was back a minute later. “Here?” She held the hook against a spot on the ceiling.

  “That’s good.” Julie watched while her friends suspended the mobile and imagined when her baby would lie beneath it in the crib. The thought warmed her heart, but also brought some sorrow because those were moments she wouldn’t share with the baby’s daddy. They seemed destined to love and raise their child separately. That thought brought on sadness she couldn’t fight and despite her best efforts, the tears came. She was unable to stop them.

  “Whoa. What’s the matter?” Caitlin asked, coming to her.

  “It’s Jake.” Julia sank down in the rocker. “I haven’t seen him in nearly a month, yet he’s been so good to me.”

  Caitlin lowered herself into the only other chair in the room. “I know he’s bought these things, but what else?”

  “We’ve been talking. Not in person,” she clarified. “Through email or text. We’ve even managed a few phone calls without sniping at each other. They’ve been good conversations, the kind I always wanted to have with him. We’ve even managed to work out some of our differences.”

  “Like what?” Sofia asked. True to her nature, she wanted proof. Julia had confided in Sofia the most during the past months, but she hadn’t told her everything. That day, she felt like pouring out her heart.

  “We compromised on several things lately,” Julia said, “like when to officially announce the pregnancy.”

  “Good—I’m glad he pushed you on that. You’d have waited until just before delivery,” Sofia teased.

  “And Jake would have informed the world the second I told him about the baby,” Julia said. “But last week we agreed to quietly announce it to the people who hadn’t already figured it out. And then a few days ago we decided that the baby could have two middle names, one that I chose and one that he did. We even narrowed our list of first names to five boy ones and five girl ones.”

  “Glad he can play nice,” Sofia said. Her closest friend knew how much Jake’s actions had hurt Julia.

  “And I heard him discussing the baby shower with his mother,” Caitlin added. “She wanted a big to-do, and I think he did too, but he told her that wasn’t what you wanted, and that the two of you agreed to a small shower.”

  “He told me he spoke to her about the party,” Julia said. She disliked being the center of attention, so she’d been worried about the shower. Jake had understood and accommodated her preferences, so she was happy.

  “None of that explains why you are in tears,” Sofia said. “It seems like things are going well with Jake.”

  “Because…because he is listening to me.” She rubbed her hand over her baby bump. “I’m feeling better about our ability to co-parent, and he’s being so great that it’s…”

  “Making it harder to get over him?” Caitlin suggested.

  “Yes,” Julia said, grateful for friends who understood. “I ended things because I thought we could never find common ground, that he’d never be able to change, but now… Early this morning, he dropped off those boxes on the porch.” She gestured to two unopened cartons in the corner. “He took a minute to play with Fay and Wellington before he left, and I almost opened the door to him.” Her hand had been on the knob as she’d watched him from the window. He didn’t know she was there, but just seeing him with her dogs made her heart hurt so much. She’d admitted to herself how much she wanted to be with Jake, wanted his arms around her, wanted him in her life.

  But she was still afraid that it wouldn’t be good for either of them in the long run. He seemed to be changing, but how could she be sure those changes would last? How could she be sure her heart would be safe with him? So she’d stayed still until he’d driven away, and then she’d wept by herself for what could have been. Finally, she’d dried her tears, convinced that she’d done the right thing. He was making compromises for the baby, which showed that he’d be a great dad, and that was what mattered. They’d be co-parents—and nothing more.

  “I’ll make you a cup of tea,” Maggie said, touching Julia lightly on the shoulder as she walked past. “You’re going to be okay.”

  Julia nodded as she stood and pulled herself together. “I guess we should get back to work. I’m going to put the sheets and towels in the dresser. Will you two open the last of the boxes?” she asked Caitlin and Sofia.

  While she worked to organize the drawers, Sofia slit open a small box. “It’s not baby stuff,” she announced.

  “What is it?” Julia glanced their way. She hadn’t left anything at Jake’s house for him to return, so she couldn’t imagine what it would be.

  “CDs.” Sofia brought the box to her and set it on top of the dresser. “Take a look.”

  Julia pulled a stack of CDs from the box. Some of them were older and a few had cracked cases, but there was a stickie note attached to each. She began reading them. The first note said, Listen to track three when you’re missing your dad. Oh, that was sweet of him.

  She moved onto the next CD. Track nine is all about remembering who you are and not losing yourself in someone else. She smiled, finally certain that he’d heard her when she spoke about her fears of being swallowed up as her mom had been.

  She continued through the stack to another note. Letting people do their own thing is the theme of track two. Check out the refrain. It’s about how there’s more than one right way to live. Did that mean he was changing his views? Was he starting to understand that he didn’t have to follow someone else’s plan?

  The last note read simply, The whole album makes me think of you. His simple words made her heart hurt so much.

  “More non-baby items.” Sofia brought her another box and placed it in front of Julia.

  Julia reached inside and found a book on top. A Business Plan for Rural Veterinary Clinic Success. A thoughtful gift and timely. Underneath, she found three pairs of her favorite brand of scrubs in a size bigger than she usually wore, and a fleece jacket with the name of her practice embroidered on the chest. A note was pinned to the front. For those cold mornings when someone needs your help.

  “Nice,” Caitlin commented. Her friends had all clustered around by then to see.

  “Just why exactly aren’t you dating him anymore?” Maggie asked in a quiet voice.

  “I had a good reason.” Julia stared at the items spread out on the dresser top and wondered how valid her reason was now. Everything in front of her showed that he’d been listening to her. He knew what mattered to her, what made her happy, what worried her. And at the same time, he wasn’t taking her choices away. He wasn’t jumping in to decide how her problems should be handled, he was just giving her help along the way.

  Was it possible that he’d changed? She felt hopeful that he had, but she had to be cautious, too. He might not have changed as much as she’d want. There was no indication that he’d gotten over his obsession with running the ranch exactly like his brother had, but at least he’d figured out how to listen. And that meant something to her. Those boxes of gifts had been about making her life better, not the baby’s, even though their romantic relationship had ended.

  “I’m not so sure about it anymore, though,” she admitted. He wasn’t perfect, but he was trying, and that just might be good enough for her. She suddenly felt like she could breathe freely for the first time in weeks at the realization that he could be what she’d always wanted—a partner in life. She finally said aloud what she’d been thinking, “I do want him back.”

  “Thank God,” Caitlin said, making Julia smile. But the happiness was followed by panic.

  “What if I’ve waited too long and lost my chance with him?” she asked her friends.

  “Relax. I’m trained to follow the evidence,” Sofia said with a nod toward the gifts on the dresser. “And all this indicates that the man wants to be with you.”

  “Are you sure?” Julia asked, worry eating at her.

  “Trust me, sweetie,” Caitlin said. “I’ve seen Jake. He’s a wreck without you. All you have to do is reach out to him.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Julia said, feeling only marginally better. It was occurring to her that Jake wasn’t the only one who had to prove readiness for a real relationship. Somehow, she’d have to show him that she understood her own culpability for their fight—that she wouldn’t give up on them too quickly, that she wouldn’t leave him again the next time they disagreed. He’d been the only one fighting for them, and she felt guilty about that.

  “Let’s finish this up, so you can talk to Jake,” Sofia said. Over the next hour, they got everything in place in the nursery. While they worked, Julia wondered if the baby would ever sleep in the room, but it felt right finishing the job.

  After her friends left, she sat in the rocker again and picked up her phone to call Jake. She wanted to tell him to get over there so they could fix their relationship, but she hesitated, fearing that it couldn’t be so simple. Her eyes went to the baby items in the room. He’d been dropping off packages for a month, and she hadn’t once opened her door to him. That had to have hurt him. She slumped back.

  Would he believe she’d just changed her mind about them? Would she be so quick to believe or forgive if the situation were reversed? No, she’d take some convincing. She needed to prove her commitment to him. But how?

  All she’d want was a quiet, sincere conversation, but Jake wasn’t like that. He’d want more of a show, a grand gesture. That was who he was. Could she do that? How would she do that? Ask him out to karaoke night and sing him a song? Her palms got sweaty just thinking about it.

  A text came in at that moment. It was a Darby Crossing alert message, reminding everyone of the town’s annual talent show in two days and that tickets were still available. Insight hit Julia. The event could be perfect for what she wanted to do. The prospect was terrifying…but for Jake, she could do it.

  She didn’t let herself hesitate before dialing Amy’s number. Jake’s sister-in-law was helping to organize the show as a fundraiser for the school’s drama and music programs.

  “Hi,” Amy answered. “Sorry I couldn’t come over today. I wanted to, but work, you know.”

  “That’s okay,” Julia said and then forced herself to go on. “Are there any performance slots left for the talent show?”

  “Actually, yes—we have one because we had a cancellation this morning. Why?”

  “I want it.” Julia’s stomach rolled, and she had to swallow down her nerves.

  “Sure.” Amy sounded surprised. “I’ll pencil you in. What kind of act?”

  “I’ll be singing.” Painfully and badly, but, dang it, she was going to do it.

  “Great. I’ll email you the information.”

  “Thanks, Amy,” Julia said and hung up. She had another call to make and dialed again. “Caitlin?”

  “Hi, sweetie. You sound weird—is something wrong?” Caitlin’s concern was instant. “Do you need me to come back to your place?”

  “No, I’m okay. I need a favor, though. Can you and Brian make sure that Jake goes to the talent show on Friday evening? You’re planning to be there, right?”

  “Brian believes it his duty to make an appearance at town events, so we’re going,” Caitlin said. “What are you planning? No, wait, you don’t have to tell me. I promise Jake will be there.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.” Julia ended the call and added to herself. “Jake Thorne, you better be worth it.”

  In her heart, she knew he was.

  19

  Jake glanced at the clock. He’d been sitting at his desk in the barn for too damn long. The office was his least favorite place to be on the ranch, but he had a problem with the budget that he was determined to resolve, no matter how long he had to spend going over it. He studied the numbers again, and the math just didn’t work. Luke’s long-range plan for the ranch included a certain percentage of the profits going for capital improvements each year. In the past, Jake had faithfully stuck with the plan, but he couldn’t make the numbers work anymore.

  Not without getting rid of his three most experienced ranch hands and hiring newbies in their places to save money on salaries. That was a sacrifice he wasn’t willing to make. He needed those men. What Jake wanted was a way to keep his employees on and have the money to sink into improvements. But that was only possible if he scrapped Luke’s budget.

  Could he do that? He stared at the ceiling, thinking. If he did, would the ranch no longer be profitable?

  Jake reached for a notepad and began listing figures. Expenditures in one column and assets and income in the other. He planned for every contingency that could befall a ranch and considered what would happen if he bred some worthy horses over the next few years and sold them.

  After an hour the paper was covered with numbers and ideas. Were they feasible? He thought so, but he wasn’t used to trusting himself in this aspect.

  Jake heard Julia’s voice in his head, suggesting that maybe the problem wasn’t that he’d strayed from Luke’s plan, but that he hadn’t strayed far enough. He’d thought her crazy at the time to suggest it. He wondered now. Going out on his own with the ranch’s business was taking a leap, but he drew courage from the fact that Julia thought he could do it. Would it really be so bad to start believing in himself?

  He looked again at the paper in front of him, analyzing the columns. If he didn’t lay out top dollar for a first-class stallion and paid stud fees instead, he could afford the better feed, the capital improvements, and his best employees’ salaries while keeping within the profit margin he deemed acceptable.

  Jake flipped to a clean page and began listing the ideas he’d had for making the ranch run more smoothly. Ideas that he’d shoved to the back of his mind because they deviated from Luke’s plan. It suddenly seemed possible that he could make the decisions and keep the ranch successful. He didn’t need to follow someone else’s plan. He could do this on his own.

  His phone dinged with a notification, and he reached for it, hoping against hope that it was a text from Julia. He longed to tell her what he’d just realized. She’d say, “I told you so,” but he still wanted desperately to hear from her. They’d been communicating over the past few weeks, but nothing so far that day. And he wanted that connection with her. He wanted whatever he could get.

  It wasn’t a text from her, but the notification caught his attention anyway. The baby registry had changed. He stared at the screen. She’d lowered the number of cribs needed from two to one. His heart started racing. What did that mean?

  A wild hope hit him, but then he forced himself to curb it. It could mean that she’d decided to raise their child alone, but he knew her better than to believe she’d do that to him. The other possibility was that…was that she planned to raise the child with him in one place. Could his dreams for the future come true?

  It suddenly seemed possible again. He jumped up from his desk, the papers and plans forgotten, as he focused on Julia. If there was any chance he could win her back, he’d take it. He needed to talk with her in person. He needed some grand gesture so she knew he loved her and put her above anything else.

  What could he do? He tried to think, but he was almost too excited to be rational. He tried to force himself to calm down. He’d used up all his gift ideas in the past weeks. So what was left?

  Damn, he had to think about this. He figured he had one opportunity to get it right. He couldn’t screw it up. She meant everything to him, and he wanted her to know that. He started pacing the barn.

  Two hours later, he was still contemplating and discarding options until he was stumped. Rafael was always good for ideas, so he called up his friend, but it went to voice mail. Before Jake could dial Brian and ask for help, he got a text from his teacher friend.

  Attending a professional conference. With Gail. In a hotel room. Don’t expect to hear from me until Monday. The message was followed by heart emojis.

  Jake laughed out loud. Rafael and the hot textbook editor. About damn time. But Monday would be too late for Jake. He felt he had to act now, so he called Brian.

  “I need help with Julia again,” he said as soon as his brother answered. “I swear this is the last time, but I need something to prove my love.”

  “What’s changed?” Brian asked. “I thought—”

  “I’ve got to try one last time.” Jake was starting to feel desperate. “Help me out here, bro. I need an idea. Something that will make her happy. That’s all I want.”

  “You know I’m no good at that stuff,” Brian said, and then there was silence for a moment. “I got nothing. But you’re coming to the talent show tonight with me and Caitlin, right? Maybe something will come to you there.”

  What the hell kind of suggestion was that? Jake wasn’t going to find inspiration from watching other people perform, no matter how talented they were. Honestly, he’d forgotten that he’d agreed to go when Caitlin had invited him earlier that week—and now he was considering canceling. He didn’t have time to sit through a talent show when he had the love of his life to win back. “No, I gotta—”