Read Online Playing in Shadow by Lesley Davis - Free Book Online Page B

was what she was doing for fear of setting raging pregnancy hormones alight.
    “Yes, Scarlet came over with her designs for us. We’ve picked out what we want, and I believe Scarlet may be chasing after you for some help rendering the walls for us.”
    Bryce nodded. “She’s told me what she needs. That would be no problem at all.”
    “You should come over anyway. Now that you’re back in the Tweedy fold, and by default Monica’s crew, we should all go out for a meal. After all, we’re one big family under the Tweedy umbrella. Though,” she said, resting her pad aside, “I’ve felt we’re the long lost cousins seeing as we usually come in on a job after you guys have long left. It’s been nice this time to mingle with you all.”
    “Scarlet says she lives with Monica.”
    “Yes, I’d moved out to go live with Trent, and Monica was alone for quite some time. Then when Scarlet came back and met Monica through her father, they hit it off immediately. She’s a really nice girl.” She rubbed a hand over her stomach. “With a figure I envy at the moment.”
    Bryce didn’t quite know what to say. “You’ll soon be back in shape once you have a toddler to run around after.”
    Juliet laughed. “Oh, I’m leaving all the running to Trent. She’s got longer legs than me. She will keep up with our child.” She cocked her head at the sound of another vehicle crunching the pebbles on the driveway. “That’s Monica.” Juliet gave Bryce a considering look. “You can go start your work now and stop babysitting me.”
    Bryce’s mouth opened to swiftly refute doing such a thing, but the sharp eyes of Juliet dried up any denials she might have uttered. She grinned sheepishly then spoke with a surprising honestly. “Didn’t you think that, just maybe, you were perhaps babysitting me ?”
    Before Juliet could answer, Monica stormed into the garden.
    “God damn it, Juliet! I told you not to come in to work early when you could just have had today off for your appointments.”
    Juliet ignored Monica’s exasperated raised voice and kept her focus on Bryce. “If you need me, just follow the voices of the ones telling me off for not being wrapped in cotton wool.”
    Monica huffed around her. “What if something happened to you while we’re not around? Who’s going to explain that to Trent because I sure as hell won’t.” With her hands balled into fists at her side, Monica made for a formidable sight.
    Juliet nodded slowly at the sight of her friend’s obvious anxiety. “Okay, I’ll be more careful. But I wasn’t alone today. I had Bryce keeping me company until you arrived to take over the watch.”
    Monica gave Bryce a relieved smile. “Thank you for keeping an eye on her for us.”
    “I was merely passing the time of day before I was due to clock in.” Bryce got to her feet and reached for her messenger bag. “Good luck with your appointment today. I hope Trent doesn’t faint at the first sight of blood.”
    Juliet snorted softly. “My girl’s made of strong stuff. She’s been around babies too much, thanks to Elton’s family, for her to be fazed by blood or anything else connected to pregnancy. She’s more concerned if the hospital has Wi-Fi so she knows which of her handheld gaming consoles to pack while I’m in the early stages of labor. I’m telling you, she’s got this all planned out.”
    Monica snorted. “Yeah, I can just imagine that conversation with the medical staff. Elton asked me the same thing though for when we’re sitting in the waiting room.”
    “Two of a kind,” Juliet said. “Bryce, I think it’s pizza day today for the landscaping crew. Be sure to grab Scarlet and come down and join them.”
    Bryce wondered why she’d be issued such an invitation. Her face must have given her away because Juliet instantly explained.
    “You’re going to plaster my baby’s nursery. I think that’s deserving of a pizza slice or two. What’s your preferred topping?”
    “Ham and