“She’ll be so excited to marry Joe and to have you there with her, she won’t care in the least.”

“What’ve you got in your bag of tricks for dealing with overwrought husbands?”

Sydney laughed. “You’re on your own there, my friend.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

Maddie and Sydney discussed bridal shower plans until Mac returned with Thomas.

“Mama,” he cried, breaking free from Mac’s grasp and running for Maddie’s bed.

Mac scooped him up. “Easy, pal. Don’t forget what we talked about in the car.”

Maddie reached for Thomas and hugged him when Mac handed him over. “What did you boys talk about?”

“Mama has to rest,” Thomas said. “’Cuz of my baby brother in your belly.”

Maddie glanced at Mac, hoping to see amusement but finding none. “Remember when Daddy and I told you it could be a baby sister?”

Thomas shook his head. “No sisters.”

Maddie shared a laugh with Sydney, but Mac barely cracked a grin. She could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was still full of tension.

“Did you see your dad?” she asked Mac.

He nodded. “He’s awake and cranky and his head hurts, but he’s doing better. My mom, Janey, Joe, Grant and Ned are with him. Your mom said she’ll be in after a while.”

Maddie had a few questions for her mother who’d yet to come by to see her—probably because she knew Maddie would grill her about Ned. “I’m so glad your dad is cranky. That’s a good sign.” To Thomas, she said, “Can you say hi to Mama’s friend Sydney?”

“Hi,” Thomas said, smiling. “Buddy?”

“That’s right. You remembered. Guess what? Buddy has been sick, too.”

Thomas’s white-blond eyebrows knitted with concern.

“You know,” Sydney said, venturing a glance at Maddie, “if it’s okay with your mama and daddy, you can come with me to see him. If you want to, that is.”

“Can I see Buddy, Mama?” Thomas asked.

“Sure. That sounds like fun. But you have to be very gentle with Buddy, okay?”

His face solemn, Thomas nodded.

To Mac, Sydney said, “Could we trade cars for a little while so I’ll have the car seat? I’ll take him to see Buddy and then to Luke’s for dinner so you guys can have some time.”

Maddie wasn’t sure if she wanted time alone with her husband when he was in this mood, but she couldn’t disappoint Thomas. “What do you say to Syd?”

“Thank you,” Thomas said.

“And you’ll be a very good boy?”

He nodded.

“Okay, then. Give me another big hug first.”

Thomas wrapped his pudgy arms around her neck and squeezed.

Maddie breathed in the sent of little boy and the sunscreen Tiffany had applied so they could play outside in the sprinkler.

Thomas squirmed free.