Page 113 of Shattered Hearts

Her head presses against mine again, and I smile. “And I’ll always be here for you. You’re my daughter, Laynie. I might not act like a typical mother, mainly because I think too many of them are sticklers.” I snort a laugh. “But I’m never going to make you go through something this big alone.”

Lifting my head to stare at her, my eyes burn with gratitude. She kisses my forehead. “Thank you, Mum.”

“Of course, sweetie. Grayson also won’t leave you. I hope you know that.”

Stilling for a long beat, my heart thumps because I know she’s right. Grayson won’t ever leave me. He’s my best friend, and now he’s my boyfriend and the father of our baby. I was so worried that he might leave me like Scott did, but now, all I can see is how present Grayson’s been through this whole thing. Checking up on me, cooking for me, setting up the bath when I desperately needed it.

He loves me, and I love him. We’re all that we need.

“I’ve also spoken with Hazel,” Mum continues, interrupting my thoughts. “She said that you are welcome to move to the ranch this weekend. We’ll all help you.”

My eyes instinctively move to the hallway. My bedroom is full of boxes of things that I’ll be taking with me. I even threw in some baby stuff I’ve started collecting.

“Are you sure you and Dad are okay with this?”

She nods. “I think that it’ll be good for you and the baby. Plus we can always come and visit. Hazel and Austin wouldn’t mind us being there to see you. But like you said, your father and I are stuck in our ways, and this house is awfully cramped. I can’t imagine Grayson and the baby being here, and everyone having enough oxygen to breathe.”

That makes me sniff a laugh. “What about Sadie then?”

“She’ll be taking your room in the meantime. If you’re okay with that, that is?”

I nod. “Of course. At least she will have the whole room to herself now.”

Mum grins. “Hazel also told me that we’re invited for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Dinner on a Friday night?”

Mum shrugs. “Something about a surprise, that’s all I know.”

Swallowing, I nod, my palms sweaty as I reach for my phone to ask Grayson if he knows what’s going on.

“I’ll start making something for us tonight,” Mum says, disappearing into the kitchen,

My phone vibrates.

BLONDIE: You’re coming for dinner. That’s all I’ve heard.

BLONDIE: Also, I’ll be finished soon.

I lean back on the couch. Something is going on, and I’m going to be a ball of anxiety until I find out.

Chapter Forty

Grayson

Holding onto Laynie’s hand feels like I’m stuck in a metal vice. She’s clinging to me so tightly, I’m afraid my bones might fracture, but I don’t say anything. She’s been anxious since her talk with Violet yesterday afternoon, and when I told her I knew nothing more about the dinner tonight, it did nothing to alleviate her worries.

Pulling up to Honey Haven Ranch, my ute rocks a little from the gravel and small potholes in the dirt. Laynie holds her stomach with her other hand, eyes peering out the side window at the farmhouse as we approach. Pulling up beside my brother’s cars, I switch off the engine and lean back in my seat, staring out at the view beyond. It’s nearing dark, with the moon emitting a soft glow among the rich burnt sunset. Stars shine above, scattered like diamonds. A light breeze passes through, moving the trees and fields.

“Are you okay?” Her gaze meets mine, warm yet wary, and I lean over, kissing her lips gently like a feather.

Holding her jaw in my hand, my face hovers before hers, eyes locked as I tell her. “It’ll be fine. There’s no need to be worried, all right?”

I slip out of the driver’s seat and walk around to give her a hand. Dropping to the ground, her fingers tangle through mine as I walk her towards the front door. Voices carry from inside, and as soon as I open the door, everyone’s attention turns to us.

“You’re here!” Macie squeals, diving to hug Laynie.

Reid pats me on the back as Mum floats over, giving me a squeeze. From the grin plastered on her face, I know she has something planned. It makes me nervous not knowing what it could be. And that’s saying something, because I’m not normally the anxious type. That’s reserved for Laynie.