Page 76 of His Other Half

"I know, right? It was like one of the problems on my list was wiped away." Cami's gaze softened. "Chrischris is going to pick up the bags and bring them over tomorrow night. I'm so excited to see the little clothes."

"That's so nice of her."

"I know. I can't believe how sweet it was for her to offer. She mentioned Chrischris was talking about me having a baby to her. She's a single mom, too. I think she mentioned her son is four years old, but I could be wrong. I was in shock that she offered."

"I think it's wonderful, and I'm so happy for you." She stood and poured them each a glass of water and returned to the table. ""You only have three more months to go. It won't be long, and you'll have a baby at home. The more clothes you have, the less laundry you'll have to do."

Because it was her fault Askook kidnapped Cami, Josie would do anything to help her friend after the baby arrived.

Her hatred of Askook grew every day. Paco was determined to end the threat, putting himself at risk of getting hurt or worse. It seemed like everyone she loved got hurt because of her.

Sometimes, her life overwhelmed her, and she could imagine the worry Cami went through, thinking about bringing a child into the world, must be a hundred times worse.

"Tracy, the woman who I replaced at Lainier's Towing, also promised to bring baby things into work the next time she comes by to have lunch with Rick." Cami's eyes filled with tears. "I have you to thank for all the good coming my way."

Josie dropped her fork to the table. Guilt making her want to cry. "Oh, Cami, no..."

"Just hear me out." Cami leaned forward. "I know it's backward, and I never want to go through the kidnapping again or what happened afterward. I don't even like to think about any of it. But because Paco found you, he came back for me, and through Tarkio, Jerry and Aaron offered me a job."

Cami had a job before getting kidnapped. She'd lost that one because they fired her for missing work. She kept what happened to her secret, to protect Paco from the crimes he'd committed. None of it would've happened if Josie wasn't friends with her. Askook would've left Cami alone. Paco wouldn't have killed anyone.

All her problems started with her dad, and she wanted out. They'd all suffered enough. The danger needed to end. The current situation was a huge mess. An unfair mess.

On the one hand, she was thankful for Paco. On the other, she was furious at her father for selling her to Askook. Everything centered on her, and no matter how many ways she tried to change the circumstances, nothing changed for the better.

"You're not eating." Cami pouted. "Did I upset you?"

"No, of course not." She took a bite of potato. "Just wondering what Paco is doing right now."

"Well, I can tell you that he's missing out on a great dinner." Cami sighed. "This is really hitting the spot. It seems lately, I can eat all day. I'm always hungry."

"You're going to have a big boy."

"A boy." Cami laughed. "I still can't believe it."

"You'll need to think up names and decide what you're going to call him."

"That blows my mind." She pointed her fork at Josie. "It's hard to choose a name for a baby when he's going to grow up into a man. What if his name doesn't fit? Calling him Bobby is cute, but what about when he gets older? Bob isn't a cool name."

"Who says?"

"Cosmo magazine." Cami laughed.

"Well, if he grows up and doesn't like it, he can change it." She paused under Cami's scrutiny. "Josie's not my childhood name."

"You have a different name?"

She nodded. "I was named Sokanon at my birth."

"Sokanon," repeated Cami. "It's pretty. What does it mean?"

"Rain." She put her fork down and cleared her throat. "Like most kids on the Rez, we changed our names as we got older."

She kept to herself how she regretted naming herself after her father, who at the time, she wanted to honor. He'd raised her alone after her mom had died. She hadn't known his involvement with the council or that he'd sell her to Askook six short years later and destroy all the love she had for him.

"I guess a nickname would work until he could grow into a name more fitting for a man." Cami blew out her breath. "Oh, God. I overate."

"I'll send more food home with you. The roast was big. It was on sale, and I couldn't pass it up." She stood and found an empty margarine tub to use to store food in, so Cami could take it with her.