Country Mile

NEEDLED HIS CONSCIENCE

"Ms. Cutler," Rory grinned. "How ya feeling today, being uber pregnant and all?"

Anne chuckled, briefly glancing up from the recipe card she was reading and absentmindedly running a hand over her swollen belly. "As good as one can feel being pretty uber pregnant, Rory. How are you today?"

"Couldn't be better," Rory said.

Genna noted the look on her friend's face, and she could tell that was the first honest thing she'd said all day.

"Are you girls hungry?" Anne asked, pulling out different spices that the card called for. "I've got snacks on the—"

"Fuck yes!" Rory gasped as she turned to the table's contents. "Ooh! Is that apple pie?"

"Aurora Michaels," Anne snapped, now giving her full attention to the girls. "We don't use language like that in this house."

Rory's eyes went wide and she froze mid reach to a plate of crackers and cheese when she heard her name, but then her face eased into a smirk directed at Genna. "Are you sure? Because half of what I know, Genna taught me."

Genna felt her face heat up and she glared at her friend as she picked up the plate, mumbling, "Shut up and eat something."

Rory giggled as she bit into a slice of pepper jack cheese.

Genna noticed Adam briskly walk over to Anne. He bent down, giving her belly a slow, gentle rub as he whispered something in her ear before pressing a kiss to her temple.

"What's for dinner?" Genna asked, eyeing her father who moved to lean against the counter.

"I was thinking about making buffalo mac and cheese.. do you have any food allergies, Rory?" Anne asked.

"Nope," the girl replied, keeping her eyes on the table's spread.

"Do you like spicy things?"

"Sure," she shrugged.

"If you don't, I can make something else," Anne offered.

"Nah, buffalo mac and cheese is fine. Thanks, Ms. Cutler."

"Aurora," Anne petitioned gently, hoping the girl would look directly at her.

Rory turned her head the slightest bit to look across the kitchen where Anne and Adam stood. "Yes?"

"It's.. it's just, Anne, darling."

"Okay, Anne," Rory nodded and then looked to Genna. "Wanna show me your room?"

"Yeah," Genna nodded and pointed to the stairs. "It's upstairs."

Rory grabbed a handful of crackers before turning, making sure to keep her back to the adults, then followed her friend. The moment they closed the door to Genna's room, she let out a sigh of relief.

"They're on to me, aren't they?"

Genna raised her eyebrows. "Um, yeah... without a doubt."

Flopping down on Genna's bed, Rory groaned. "Damnit. I can't have people asking questions, Genna. Will you cover for me?"

Laying down beside her, Genna stared into the set of emerald green eyes glistening with worry.

"You know you're like a sister to me," Genna reminded her softly.

Rory nibbled on a cracker. "But things are different now... I'm gonna need you to be like a real sister to me. Okay? Like, cover my ass, no questions asked."

"Of course," Genna whispered. "But only if you tell me what's really going on."

One pierced brow lifted. "What do you mean?"