Page 103 of Line Change

She’s silent for a few beats, and I check my phone to make sure the line didn’t get disconnected.

“You’re married? And you didn’t think to invite me or your sisters? To tell us?” Her voice pitches up at the end, and I know I have some explaining to do.

So I tell her about Sutton’s inheritance and how she needed to be married. When I’m done speaking, my mum bursts into laughter.

“Bloody hell,” she says.

“I know. It all happened quickly because it needed to. And I didn’t want to tell you because it was supposed to end.”

“And now it’s not?”

“Now it’s not going to because we’ve fallen in love.”

She chuckles. “At least you’ll have a story to tell your kids …”

I sigh. Here goes. “About that.”

“Bash?”

I snort. “It’s not what it sounds like, but you have to promise me you won’t pass judgment.”

“Sebastian Marcus Henderson, I would never.”

“She’s pregnant,” I blurt out before quickly pulling the phone away from my ear. The squeal my mum lets out is deafening, and I’m glad I had the foresight to move the phone. “She’s not mine, but I intend to raise her as if she is,” I tell my mum when she’s done screeching. She doesn’t need to know all the details of Sutton’s pregnancy, so I keep it simple and hope she doesn’t ask a million questions or want more details. Because if she does, that’s going to be up to Sutton about what she shares. It’s her story, not mine.

“I’m so happy for you. I’m going to be a grandmother twice over.”

“You’re not … mad?”

“Maybe a little, but only because you kept secrets from me. But I’ll get over it. All I’ve always wanted was for you and your sisters to be happy, so if you are, if Sutton and her baby make you happy, then I’m happy. Thrilled actually.”

“I am. Very much so.” I smile. I can’t think of a time I was happier, not even when I got drafted. “This complicates things with the farm and you wanting to retire.”

“I know it does. Steve accepted the offer to manage full-time, and if we lease out the back lot, that does help a lot.”

“That’s good. I still feel bad …”

“Don’t. I want you to be happy, and she makes you happy. You need to live your life. Not feel obligated to come back here because your father asked you to take care of us.” What? “Thought I didn’t know that?”

“I-I didn’t.” I sputter. Six months ago, even a few months ago, I’d have protested more, told her it was my duty as the oldest to come home and take over. I’d have told her I was retiring. Hell, I did tell her that. But now, now I have my own family, and I want to stay here for them and for me.

“Relax. It was just a hunch. One I was correct about apparently.”

“Mum …”

“We’ll figure it out, and I promise to include you in the conversation.”

“Thank you.” I know she’s right. We will figure it out. And at the end of the day, if it means selling, I think I’ll be okay with that. Sad, yeah, of course, it’s where I grew up. But I also can’t imagine being anywhere that Sutton and our daughter aren’t. And they’re here, in Florida, at least for now. Besides, I hated farm chores when I was growing up. I don’t really want to be the one responsible for them as an adult.

“Now, tell me what else is new …”

We chat for a few more minutes, hanging up after I promise my mum that I’ll call back another day when Sutton can talk. I sink back against the couch cushions, close my eyes, and doze until Sutton calls me to come pick her up from the arena.

Chapter thirty-nine

Sebastian

As I’m finishing my breakfast the next morning, seated at the kitchen counter, my phone rings, showing an unknown number calling. I don’t pick up my phone for unknown numbers, but it could be Elias’s PI.