For a few minutes, nobody said much. Arianna continued working patiently through Shylo's hair while Mya sat in a nearby chair with a book.
Under different circumstances, Shylo might have found the moment comforting.
Instead, every passing minute made her wonder what was happening outside.
What they planned to do about Troy.
Whether everyone would be safer if she'd never come to Hazard Falls at all.
And most of all...
If Seth would ever speak to her again.
Paige broke the silence. “So... once everything settles down, are you thinking of staying in Hazard?”
Shylo hesitated. From the curious look on Paige's face, Shane hadn't told either of his spouses about their conversation at the diner yet.
“I'd like to.”
Before the other woman could respond, Arianna leaned around Shylo's shoulder to look at her. “Please stay!”
The hope in the little girl's voice caught Shylo off guard. She smiled and looked back at Paige. “Shane said he wants me to.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “He did?”
Shylo nodded. “He offered to teach me everything about running the ranch.” The words still felt almost unreal. “He said if I wanted to stay, we'd figure out where I fit.”
Paige's expression softened into a warm smile. “I had a feeling that's how this was going to end. We'd all like you to stay.”
Hearing Shane say he wanted her to stay had meant everything. Having Paige repeat the same sentiment somehow made it seem real.
Before Shylo could think of a response, the back door opened.
She looked up so quickly that the movement tugged at the fresh braid draped over her shoulder. For one foolish, hopeful second, she expected Seth to walk in behind Shane and Tucker. Even after both men had stepped inside, she kept staring at the doorway, searching for someone who wasn't there.
He hadn't come with them.
She shouldn’t have felt surprised. After everything she'd hidden from him, she had no right to expect anything different. Even so, the fragile optimism Paige's words had given her moments earlier began to fade.
Shane strode into the family room, his attention sweeping over everyone as though reassuring himself they were all exactly where they were supposed to be. When he spotted a braid hanging over Shylo's shoulder, some of the seriousness in his expression eased.
“Well,” he said with a smile, “looks like Ari found herself another customer.”
“She did.” Shylo touched the braid. “I think she did a wonderful job.”
“Of course I did,” Arianna replied matter-of-factly.
“You always do,” Shane said, leaning over to kiss the top of her head.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room almost felt normal. Then Shylo caught the glance that passed between Shane, Tucker, and Paige. The lightness she'd seen on Shane's face disappeared, replaced by the guarded concern she'd seen earlier.
Mya must have noticed it too.
“What do you say we go bake a cake for dessert?” she asked Arianna. “In case someone doesn’t want cookies.”
A wide grin spread across the girl’s face. “Can I lick the spoon?”
“Of course!”
