Free Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards Page A

playhouse. I’m actually surprised Cash took it on. Rosslyn and Rosslyn’s in demand all over the area. But he seemed to want to do this himself. Very enthused, our Cash.”
    Jamie stopped rummaging and looked at her sister. “Okay, what are you implying?”
    “Me?”
    “You can’t just leave it there.”
    “I’m sure he simply likes the girls.”
    “Of course you’re right.”
    “And maybe he thinks their mother is worth a trip or two.”
    “Oh, sure. I’m such a catch, or will be in a couple of months, or a couple more after that, or a couple after that.” She put her hand on her tummy, then pretended it was growing.
    “You’re saying that after everything you’ve been through the past months, you would do this again?”
    For a moment Jamie wasn’t sure what Kendra meant; then the smile that had started to bloom died, and she felt a quick burst of anger. Real anger this time. She put her hand on her sister’s arm and lowered her voice. “I’ve told you and told you, getting pregnant is my most outstanding talent. I’ll be completely amazed if the first try didn’t take. I’ll be properly humbled if we have to go to three or four.”
    “You’ll do that?”
    “I told you I was in this for the long haul. That’s what I meant. And you know, you and Isaac already did your part and made that possible.”
    Kendra seemed to be feeling her way. “I know it hasn’t been fun so far.”
    Jamie kept her voice level. “Did I miss something? I’m not doing this for the fun of it, am I?”
    “But I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to keep on and on.”
    “That’s good.”
    Kendra must have heard the change in Jamie’s voice. “I guess I’m just trying to give you an out if you need one.”
    “And I guess I appreciate that. But honestly? Being the big girl I am, I more or less know I have an out if I have to take one.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    Jamie sighed and closed her eyes. As hard as it was, she tried to put herself in Kendra’s place. She tried to imagine being the mother who waited and watched and hoped, not the mother who was bringing the baby into being. She tried to put herself into her sister’s shoes, a mother for whom control of her child’s fate was an illusion. Because when things came right down to it, Kendra was right to worry. Right now Jamie was the one with all the power.
    Ninety-nine percent hormones. One percent well-deserved frustration.
    She opened her eyes. “Did it blow up, or are we safe?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “The first landmine in a minefield nine months long. Did we manage to avoid it, or did we step right on it?”
    Kendra was silent a moment, then she shrugged, but her eyes looked suspiciously moist. “We got close, but I think we’re still intact.”
    Jamie went back to the contents of her plastic bag. “Plan for some injuries. You don’t trust me yet, not completely.”
    “I’m asking you to carry my baby, Jamie. That sounds like trust to me.”
    “I think what it is…” Jamie faced her again. “I think that’s you wanting to trust me. Making the effort. But you know, I don’t think you’re going to feel it right here—” she touched Kendra’s chest with her fingertip “—until I place a baby in your arms. And I understand that. I really do. I understand your general trust issues and your specific issues with me and everything in between. I’m personally responsible for the latter and own up to it willingly. But we’re walking along this road together now, so you have to let go of whatever you can and just keep your eyes open.”
    “And what about you?”
    “Me? I’ve been psychoanalyzed and confronted and supported until not an atom inside me hasn’t been thoroughly explored. I know why I’m doing this and what I can expect to feel along the way.”
    “Why are you doing it?” Kendra paused, but only for the briefest moment. “Before you go on, I know you’re doing it for me, Jamie. I do know that. I know you