“If it does, we’ll deal with it. I’m not being frivolous with my safety or that of the babies, Owen. I have clearance from my doctor and midwife. We are still within the range where it’s safe to travel. I really, really want to go, but not if it’s going to keep you awake at night with anxiety.”

He put down the guitar and reached for her, bringing her onto his lap. “That’s not the only thing keeping me awake.”

“Your father and that freaking phone call, too.”

“Yeah.”

“I hate him for doing this to you.”

“I hate him for a lot of reasons, and then I feel guilty for hating my own father.”

“He’s given you plenty of reasons to feel that way.”

“Still…”

“I know.”

“So a whole week alone in the Caribbean, huh?” Owen asked, desperate to talk about anything other than his father.

“That’s what I’m offering.”

“It would take a stronger man than I am to turn down an offer like that from you.”

“Yes?” she asked, her face alight with giddy excitement that made him smile. If she was happy, he was, too.

“We can go, but you’d better not let anything happen to you or our babies.”

“I won’t. I promise.” She kissed his lips and then his neck again. “Come upstairs. I’ve got another offer you won’t be able to refuse.”

Owen laughed as his body reacted to her blatant come-on. “I don’t know what I ever did without you, Laura Lawry. I was in a funk when I came down here, and then you showed up and made everything better.”

“I seem to recall you doing the same for me once upon a time.” She got up and held out her hand to him.

Owen took her hand and brought his guitar with him when he followed her upstairs to their apartment. They looked in on Holden, who was sleeping with his arms thrown over his head and his covers kicked off as usual. Laura covered him while Owen stashed his guitar on the stand in the corner of the living room.

They met in the bedroom, where Laura treated him to the pleasure of watching her remove her nightgown, revealing a rounded belly and breasts made large by pregnancy. He thought she was, quite simply, the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

“Don’t look too close,” she said, suddenly shy after revealing herself to him.

Owen pulled off his T-shirt and went to her, running his hands over her abundant curves. “Don’t ever tell me not to look at what’s mine. And there will never be a time when I don’t think you’re perfect.”

“You’re blinded by love.”

“Maybe so,” he said, resting his hand over the babies, “but I hope you know I mean it. I look at you, and I just see everything.”