At the words Uncle Shane, Holden began kicking his feet and trying to break out of the high chair.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Sarah said, laughing. “Is it okay with you?”

“Sure,” Owen said. “He loves his time with Shane.” Laura’s brother was happily engaged to Owen’s sister, Katie, and living a few doors down the street from them. Having his sister nearby and seeing her settled with Shane was another thing to love about his life on Gansett Island.

Sarah expertly removed Holden from the high chair, got him cleaned up and into his hat and coat. “We’ll be back in a little while.”

“Take your time. We’re not doing anything today.”

“Maybe we’ll come back at naptime, then,” Sarah said with a smile that lit up her eyes.

“Just let me know,” Owen said.

“We will.”

“Give Dada a kiss,” Sarah said.

Holden came stumbling across the room on legs that wobbled under him. He and Laura called him the “drunken sailor” since he’d begun walking a week ago—at only ten months old. Owen bent to receive a wet, sloppy kiss from the little guy. “Be good for Gram and Gramps.”

“Dadadadada.”

“Let’s go see Uncle Shane and Auntie Katie,” Sarah said as she picked up Holden.

Owen saw them out and then went to look in on Laura, who was still sound asleep. He stretched out on the bed next to her, staring up at the ceiling and filled with anxiety as he waited for the phone to ring again. He’d been there about thirty minutes when Laura turned over, cuddling up to him as best she could with the huge baby bump between them. March couldn’t come soon enough for either of them. Her hand landed on his chest, which helped to calm and settle him.

The calming effect she had on him was one of the things he loved best about being married to her.

“You gonna tell me what’s wrong?” she asked in a sleepy, sexy-sounding voice.

“Nothing’s wrong. Holden’s with my mom and Charlie, so I’m taking advantage of a lazy morning with my wife.”

“I’m not talking about right now. I mean in general over the last few days. You’re brooding over something.”

They’d been living together for more than a year, but the way she paid attention still took him by surprise.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m right here if you need me.”

He covered the hand she’d put on his chest. “I know.”

“And despite the two linebackers you’ve graced me with, I’m pregnant, not fragile.”

“I definitely know that. You’re Superwoman.”

“Talk to me, O. Tell me what’s on your mind.”