The tender caresses Crosby gave Kenna’s stomach. The kisses Ford pressed to Bell’s temple. I wanted that for myself. But as soon as those thoughts entered my mind, I’d give myself a mental smack. These were my two best friends in the world. The only people who had been there for me, no matter what. And I was happy for them—over-the-moon. I didn’t want to poison any of that with my jealousy.

“Hellooooo? Caelyn?”

I snapped back to the present at Kenna’s voice. “Sorry. What?”

She straightened in her chair. “What is going on with you lately?”

I forced a smile. “You know me, I’m just thinking of the million and one things on my to-do list.”

Bell reached over and rubbed a hand up and down my back. “Well, quit it. Now’s the time to relax. It’s Friday, and it’s family dinner time. Turn off the worry.”

I loved Bell as if she were another limb, but she didn’t understand the kind of worry I felt. The endless list of things constantly swirling around in my mind. An increase in rent, Mia’s gymnastics, whether I should take Ava to another therapist, how I was going to pay for Will’s college in a year and a half… I forced myself to keep my tone light even though what I really wanted to do was scream. “I’ll do my best, taskmaster.”

Ford grinned at his fiancée. “I’d do what she asked. The woman can be vicious.”

“Don’t I know it,” I agreed.

Bell scowled at both of us. “You guys are mean. I’m not that bad.”

Kenna let out a snorted laugh. “You might as well be a drill sergeant.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s you,” Crosby argued. “You nearly made one of Hunter’s men cry yesterday.”

“I did not,” Kenna protested.

“What are you doing to my brother’s construction crew?” Ford asked, amusement filling his tone.

Crosby couldn’t hold in his laughter. “When they were taking all of the furniture out of the downstairs—”

“The priceless antique furniture,” Kenna interrupted.

“Kenna didn’t feel they were being careful enough. She barked orders at them so loudly, one of the younger guys got tears in his eyes. I swear.”

Kenna groaned. “He did not. Don’t listen to Crosby, he lies.”

“How is it being back in the guest house?” After a vicious court battle, Kenna finally had all of the legal rights to the estate Harriet had left her. But the fight had ended in a brutal attack that had almost cost Kenna her unborn child.