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sorry,” Laura said softly.
    For the first time since Allie died he admitted, “I am, too.”
    â€œIs there any way to fix things?”
    He didn’t answer. Couldn’t. “So, about Saturday?”
    Laura was kind enough to let him change the subject. “Sure. I have a little less than a month until Bbog is born—”
    â€œBog?” he asked.
    â€œBbog. Two B’s. The night we found out we were pregnant, we referred to the baby as Baby-boy-or-girl. The next day, Jay sent me flowers and that was too long to fit on the florist’s card, so he abbreviated it to Bbog and after that, well, that’s how we referred to the baby.”
    â€œBbog. It’s original,” he said diplomatically. “You haven’t tried to find out what it is?”
    â€œNo. I want to be surprised. Jay wanted a girl, but I keep thinking it’s a boy.” She paused, then added, “About Saturday, thanks. I’d appreciate your help.”
    â€œOther than painting, what needs to be done?”
    She sighed. “Everything.”
    â€œAs in, put together the crib and set up the changing table everything?”
    â€œYes. I’ve tried, over and over again, but…”
    Seth finished for her. “But you expected Jay to be there helping you, and it hurt too much to do it on your own.” He got that. After Allie died, he’d had to take down everything they’d put together. It had bothered him so much, he’d sold the house and moved into his apartment.
    He glanced over and saw Laura’s shocked face.
    â€œYes, that’s it. How did you know?”
    â€œI was married once and my wife passed away.” He couldn’t bring himself to mention the babies he’d lost, as well. Not with Laura so close to delivering her own. So, he simply said, “I get it, Laura.”
    He’d felt a connection to her. A connection he hadn’t felt with anyone else. Seth suspected that his checking on Laura didn’t have much to do with the chief’s request, or even JT. He and Laura both understood loss in a way few people did.
    â€œOh,” she said slowly. “Oh, Seth, I’m sorry that you get it.”
    â€œMe, too. For both of us.” Needing to lighten the mood, he said, “So, we’ll make a party of it on Saturday? Enjoy ourselves…right?”
    â€œYes. That would be nice.”
    They drove the rest of the distance in companionable silence. Seth wished Laura would chatter about something, because otherwise he was left with thoughts of his parents and Allie.
    His wife would be furious that he hadn’t mended the rift with his parents. There were moments he so wanted to. He wanted to hug his mom, shake his dad’s hand and assure them both that it was fine, that he forgave them. He simply hadn’t been able to bring himself to say the words.
    They’d wanted him to wait to marry Allie, saying that they were both too young. But if he’d listened and waited, he’d have missed so much. Maybe marrying right out of high school wasn’t normally the wisest thing, but he treasured every one of those minutes with her.
    After she’d died, his parents’ words of sympathy had felt hollow. Every word of comfort they tried to offer, every gesture had set Seth’s teeth on edge because all he could do was remember that they hadn’t wanted him to marry her. He tamped down that old anger and concentrated on the here and now.
    Since his brother Zac had gotten married, he’d been around his family more than he’d been in years. He’d made an uneasy truce with his parents for his brother’s sake.
    It wasn’t the same relationship they’d once had, but it was a relationship. That would have to do.

CHAPTER THREE
    L AURA LOVED HER SMALL house within walking distance to the school. When she’d bought it three years ago, she’d enjoyed decorating and arranging everything. It was