Secrets Collide (Bluegrass Brothers)

stood proudly at Cy’s arm as they followed the pink and blue balloons to the back of the biggest mansion she’d ever seen. A large white silk tent was in the backyard, filled with tables. Each table had a huge arrangement of pink and blue hydrangeas and little wooden alphabet blocks as napkin holders.
    “This is amazing. Do they do this for every party?” Gemma asked as they nodded their hellos to some people standing in a group near the tent.
    “I don’t think so. I’m not here much, but from what I understand they’re very laid back. All of this is because the King and Queen of Rahmi are here. And here are our hosts. Hi, Mo. Dani, you’re glowing,” Cy said as he gave Dani a kiss on the cheek.
    “It’s called sweat, but I like the way you say it much better,” Dani laughed. “But now I'm going to steal Gemma away and introduce her around so you men can complain about being dragged to a baby shower.”
    Gemma waved goodbye as Dani linked her arm in hers and started walking toward their friends. “I wanted a small party with my girlfriends and this is the compromise we came to with my father-in-law. I need to get better at negotiating,” Dani teased.
    “Gemma, I’m so glad you’re here. Tell us everything about the ball,” Paige practically screamed. Gemma tried hard not to blush. While many things happened that night, it was what happened after she got home that she remembered the most.
    “It was wonderful. Even if I’m not a great dancer.”
    “Was it romantic?” Tammy asked, her eyes big with anticipation.
    “It was. Until we had to chase down the bad guy.”
    “If it’s one thing I know, it’s action. That can be the best kind of foreplay,” Annie said with her eyes twinkling with mischief.
    “You know a lot about action, huh?” Morgan teased.
    “Not that kind of action.”
    “Poor Cade,” Katelyn laughed.
    “Y’all suck,” Annie joked.
    “Oh no,” Dani said sadly.
    “Are you okay?” Kenna asked, concerned.
    “Yes, it’s just my brother and sister-in-law are here, too, and no one is talking to them.” Gemma glanced to the elegantly dressed couple standing uncomfortably alone a short distance away. “I’m going to bring her over here. She needs some girl time.”
    A couple minutes later Dani returned with a regal, yet somewhat shy, woman. Her dark hair was hidden under a beautiful scarf that complemented her suit to perfection.
    “Girls, this is my sister-in-law, Ameera.” Ameera’s brown eyes widened and Dani patted her hand. “When he’s not around, we go by our first names,” she said with a wink.
    Gemma smiled at the woman when they were introduced and saw she was concerned for her husband. “Don’t worry. The guys sneaked him out. I’m sure they’re doing something manly,” Gemma said, trying to comfort her.
    “Oh good,” Ameera said with relief. “He has not left my side in the month we have been in the United States. Don’t eat this, don’t drink that—it’s not good for the baby.”
    “You’re pregnant?” they all asked at once.
    “No, that is the problem. We are undergoing treatments to try to get pregnant.” Ameera then looked nervously to Dani’s rounded belly.
    “I certainly hope that it works. You find out in a couple weeks if the first treatment works, right?” Dani asked.
    “Yes. But, did you say you hope it works?”
    “Of course I want it to work. I want to raise any children I have in Keeneston. I give His Highness enough problems just as a princess. Can you imagine me having to be the mother of the future king if we have a boy? It would be horrible.”
    Ameera smiled. “Yes, it would be very trying for His Highness. See, I've been raised since birth to be a queen and to raise the future king. I feel like such a failure that I cannot do the job I was raised to perform.”
    “Oh, sweetie. I understand. You know it wasn’t easy for Mo and me either, but we’re both here for you.”
    “And so are we. You’re always welcome to Keeneston if you all need a place to relax,” Paige offered.
    “Thank you, that is so kind. We have really enjoyed our time here and I hope we have time to meet again before we all leave to go to Rahmi. Look, here come the men.”
    Gemma looked toward the entrance of the tent and saw the Davies brothers along with Mo, his brother, Will, and Cole all walking into the tent. They were all smiling and fixing their ties. If she were a betting woman, she would say they had a couple of drinks and tossed