Read Online The Next Little Thing (Jackson Falls #4) by Laurie Breton - Free Book Online

deep enough, you'd
inevitably uncover her unique brand of neurosis.
    And right now, that neurosis was in full control.
    She clutched her coffee cup so hard her knuckles went white. She
hadn't expected this kind of stress today, of all days. They were headed home
from the hospital with their new baby, the baby they'd waited so long for. This
was supposed to be a joyful occasion. Her stomach wasn't supposed to feel like
it was spinning circles on some upside-down carnival ride.
    When Rob passed the intersection with Meadowbrook Road and
continued driving, she said, "Where are we going?"
    "I need to swing by the new house for a minute."  He
didn't offer any further explanation, and she didn't ask for one. He reached
for her hand and threaded fingers with hers. She shot him a quick glance, but
he was concentrating on his driving. Maybe she was reading too much into this.
Maybe she was imagining those weird vibes. Maybe it was some kind of
post-partum psychosis. She was certain such a diagnosis must exist somewhere in
the DSM.
    He swung onto Ridge Road, and she tamped down the negative
emotions swirling inside her and tried to enjoy the scenery. At this elevation,
it was spectacular. Beyond vivid spring foliage, the White Mountains stood
majestic in the distance, the highest of them still capped with snow. The car
rounded a curve, and their house came into view. Her gaze was immediately
attracted by something attached to the mailbox at the end of the driveway,
something that bobbed and dove like a live creature. She narrowed her eyes in an
attempt to identify it. As they drew closer, she finally recognized the
flapping object as a cluster of pink and white balloons. What the hell?
    Then she saw the cars, at least a dozen of them, lined up on one
side of the newly-paved driveway and circling around the back toward the
studio. Several of them had Massachusetts plates. Above the front door, hanging
from the porch eaves, a hand-lettered banner said, WELCOME HOME, BABY EMMA .
    She gave him a pointed look. He clicked on his blinker and said,
"Just roll with it, okay?"
    "Flash?  What have you done?"
    "Nothing. I've done nothing. Except give the okay. This is
all Paige's doing."
    "I don't understand. Why are we here?  The house is
empty."
    "Not any more, it isn't. Welcome home. We live here
now."
    Her eyes widened in disbelief. He nodded. She opened her mouth.
Closed it again. Said, "How?  When?"
    "Yesterday. With a little help from our friends. Otherwise
known as the whole damn family."
    "And Paige organized all of this?  Why?"
    "Because she worships the ground you walk on. In case you
hadn't noticed."
    "But…how'd you manage to carry it off?  Everybody came to
visit me yesterday at the hospital."
    "Paige and Trish choreographed the whole thing. The rest of
us just followed directions. We took turns going to the hospital, so you
wouldn't get suspicious."
    He turned into the driveway, squeezed past the line of cars and
came to a stop near the front porch. "You and Emma need some down
time," he said, turning off the car, "which is why everybody has
strict orders. Two hours. That's it. When we hit the two-hour mark, I'm tossing
everybody out on their collective asses. Then you can rest, and it'll be just
us."
    "Rob, your parents are here. They drove all the way from
Boston. You can't throw your parents out!"
    "They can spend some time with Rose and Jesse for a change.
Rose is always complaining that they never visit."
    "I think I might cry."
    "Save the waterworks for later. Paige needs to see a big
smile first. Then you can leak all over her if you need to."
     
    * * *
     
    They were waiting for her inside, all of them, with tears and hugs
and smiles. Family. Hers. His. Brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws
and outlaws, two families brought together as one by the birth of this child.
Trish took custody of the baby while Rob went back outside to bring in Casey's
overnight bag and the rest of Emma's gear. Mary MacKenzie drew