It was almost ten o’clock when they rolled into the driveway. Rob was laid out on the couch in the front parlor, and Tess was descending the stairs. A few dogs, Zeus in particular, roused in their kennels and started to bark excitedly as Kelsey and Kurt walked through the front door. Kelsey felt an unexpected tug at her heartstrings. She’d grown to love walking into the house each morning, but this was the first time it felt like she was coming home instead of going to work.
Rob rose to his feet with a yawn. “Nothing yet, Mom and Dad. She seemed close a couple of times, but I think she’s been waiting for you to get your butts back here.”
“Yeah, she’s been dozing the last twenty minutes, but I swear she heard your cars pull in,” Tess said, joining them in the hallway. “She woke up and barked a couple times. We’ve been watching her on the nanny cam so as not to stress her out. She went into her whelping box on her own, and her temp is down into delivery range, so things could pick up quickly. And by the way, you look amazing, Kelsey. I’m sorry you’re missing your friend’s reception.”
“Thanks, and it’s okay. We were there for most of it. We saw the first dance and got the cake to go. There are several slices, if you’re hungry. Which reminds me, I left it in my car.”
Kurt waved her off and headed back out the door.
“Well, I’ve been going since about four thirty this morning,” Rob said. “With the three of you here now, I’ll follow him out. I’ve got another early morning tomorrow. And besides, working at a shelter, Kelsey, you’ve probably seen more births than I have.”
“I’ve only seen a few, but I’ve watched a ton of them on YouTube this last month.”
“I don’t think you’ll need it, but there’s a number for a vet on the fridge. He’s a friend. You can call him at any hour. Though these guys usually do fine on their own. And I suspect Pepper’s an old hand at this.”
“Thanks for hanging out with me tonight.” Tess stepped forward and gave Rob a bear hug, which he returned, lifting her off her feet. She was average height but slender enough to pass for petite. Unlike when they’d met and Tess had looked like she’d stepped out of an upscale fall clothing catalog, tonight she was in yoga pants and fuzzy socks, and her hair was piled high on her head.
Rob gave Kelsey a wink as he reached for the doorknob. “Don’t hesitate to call, no matter what time it is. And when things settle down, make that boy of yours dance another few dances with you. I suspect you won’t get him in a suit too often.”
Kurt was jogging up the porch steps, and with the door ajar, Kelsey didn’t have to wonder long if he’d overheard. “Oh, you never know, especially if she’ll slip back into that dress.” He stepped to the side to let Rob leave. In one hand, he was holding the boxed cake slices, and in the other, her bright Vera Bradley weekender bag.
Kelsey’s cheeks felt hot enough to light a candle at the sight of it. But underneath the embarrassment, she was almost giddy. This was staying-power talk, and Kurt wasn’t shying away from it.
After Rob headed out and the door was shut, Tess gnawed her lip as she eyed Kelsey’s bag. “So, um, I’ve never actually seen a dog in labor, and I’m not going to pretend I don’t want to now, but I don’t want to be a third wheel either.”
“Third wheel, my ass,” Kurt said, ruffling her messy topknot after passing Kelsey her bag. “You’re staying up with Kelsey if this runs late. Besides, someone’s got to do the grunt work.”
Tess wrinkled her nose at him. “Eight years of military service, and they didn’t take the Kurt out of you.”
Kelsey laughed. “I’d better get changed.”
“Hey, did you guys get pictures? Because if not, you should. I can take some for you.”
Kelsey met Kurt’s gaze. “You know, we didn’t think of that.”
“She’s right.”
“Well, we have to change that.” Tess locked her hands on her hips as she scanned the lower floor. “Hey, how about in front of that beautiful staircase?”
Kelsey found herself being shuffled in front of the curved staircase that not long ago had made her hold her breath whenever she’d used it. Now, the steps were solid, and she bounded up and down them throughout her days here without a second thought. Kurt and his grandfather had been busy healing this house. Really busy.
She and Kurt each closed an arm around the other. While Tess flipped on a few extra lights, Kelsey leaned in to whisper, “I’m glad we didn’t get a picture at the reception. Our first picture wouldn’t have the same meaning if it wasn’t taken here.”
Kurt locked his gaze on hers. “It means a lot to hear you say that.”
Tess centered herself about ten feet in front of them and held up Kurt’s phone. “Okay, say ‘puppies.’”
“Puppies,” they said in unison. As if in answer, a determined bark drifted down from upstairs.
After posing for a few shots, Kurt said, “Sounds like we’re getting close to go time.”
Kelsey ducked into the hall bathroom to change into the clothes she’d worn earlier in the day. Sorting through her bag, she realized she’d been so busy the last several days that she’d forgotten to dress in rainbow-color order. Today, a Saturday, should have been a day to wear a purple shelter T-shirt, and she’d worn a blue one. And yesterday she’d
