Page 100 of Shattered Hearts

“If you say so…” Laynie drawls before heading back out into the kitchen where Sadie and her mum are busy preparing everything.

Levi and I manage to finish off the cot, and I put the mattress in, my stomach melting at how small it is before popping out to see the table set and covered with plates.

“Just in time,” Laynie says, grabbing my hand and leading me over to the table where Sadie is waiting patiently. Levi and Violet take their seats in the mismatched chairs, and we dig in before everything gets cold.

“How come the blow-up mattress is gone?” I ask Laynie between mouthfuls.

Violet answers for her, “Sadie will be sleeping on the couch before she finds her own place.”

Sadie nods slowly.

I frown. “On the couch?”

“Yeah,” Laynie lets out, equally unenthused as her cousin.

“It’s the best we can offer. We don’t have a massive house,” Levi explains, “and there’s not much in the area that’s in Sadie’s price range.”

My frown deepens as I swallow another mouthful, my brain ticking. “Why don’t you stay at the ranch until you find something?”

Sadie’s gaze flicks between Laynie and I. “I don’t mind the couch.”

“Are you sure?” Laynie asks.

Her cousin shakes her head. “I will be fine here.”

I slump a little, before turning to look at Laynie. “How about you?”

She swallows loudly, meeting my eyes. “What about me?”

“How about you move onto the ranch and Sadie can stay here.”

“Do you think it’s best?” Levi questions.

Violet smacks his hand before throwing me a smile. “As much as I would love to have another baby in the house, I think you two should be living under the same roof. It’ll be easier for the baby.”

“But Austin and Hazel live there,” Laynie points out.

Violet’s smile falters. “Well, I can always call and ask them what they think is best.” She looks between Sadie and Laynie. “Either Sadie moves in, or Laynie with the baby when it’s born.”

Levi nods, and I bite into another slice of potato. “We’ll talk with them after dinner. Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Why don’t you tell us about your work, Sadie?”

She nods, her lips curling upward before she dives into a story about one of the other teachers at the dance school that seems to have it out for her. My knee jiggles beneath the table, and I feel Laynie’s hand on my thigh. It’s small and warm on my skin, making my nerves stop.

She gives me a look to say, so what do you think? I smile.

Leaning over, I whisper into her ear, “I think we should do what makes you more comfortable, Biscuit. If it’s here, then I’ll move here. If it’s at the ranch, then we can move your stuff there.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“I’d rip off my arm if you needed it," I admit softly.

Her smile grows, teeth showing. It’s infectious.

“You’re so sweet,” Laynie murmurs.

I snort a laugh. “Good to know that handing you my arm is sweet.”

“Always so morbid...” she drawls, repeating my earlier words, and I chuckle roughly. She holds onto her stomach, brows bunched as she lets out a surprised laugh.