Page 50 of Shattered Hearts

“Any time. I’ll keep you in mind if we need a spot filled or if something becomes available one weekend, but I have you down for once a month right now,” Garrett adds, his gruff voice deep and older.

“Great. I really appreciate this.”

“Have a good day, Laynie.”

The call ends, and I quickly transfer the money to him. I then pull up my message chain with Grayson.

LAYNIE: Are you free Saturday morning?

BLONDIE: Depends on what you’re wanting to do.

I roll my eyes.

LAYNIE: Farmer’s market in Hollow Grove. I’ll need some help.

BLONDIE: AKA, you need to use my ute. Wow.

LAYNIE: Not just that. I need you to help me as well.

LAYNIE: Macie and Reid will be coming with your mum.

BLONDIE: You’re fun to rile up, Biscuit.

BLONDIE: I’ll pick you up at six?

BLONDIE: I have to be home by two.

BLONDIE: Knox is coming over to ride dirt bikes with me. I’ve been teaching him, and he’s getting pretty good.

LAYNIE: Paisley’s younger brother?

BLONDIE: Yeah. She asked me and I thought it would be good.

BLONDIE: Turns out I was right ;)

LAYNIE: Well, there’s a first time for everything…

BLONDIE: I’ll pinch you.

LAYNIE: You wouldn’t dare.

BLONDIE: Dare me. I dare you.

My laugh carries through the empty house. Sadie is out at the ballet studio in Hollow Grove where she picked up a position, and I presume Dad is still at the hardware store where he works during the week. I have no idea about Mum, she floats around between her art pieces out in the garden shed, and teaching at Ashwood Primary School three days a week.

LAYNIE: I’m not daring you because I don’t want you to.

Rubbing Freddie’s face, where he lies peacefully on my lap, I decide it’s time I get off the couch. I told Macie this morning that I was going to come into Golden Hour late, which I definitely needed after the past few days. They have been packed with appointments, baking, and family dinners.

Burying my face in his calico fur, Freddie’s purring loudens as I ruffle the hair around his face and ears before walking him into my bedroom and dropping him on my bed.

“I need to shower, sweet boy. Then I’ll give you some breakfast, all right?”

Wide green eyes blink back at me as I grab some fresh clothes to change into. Undressing in the bathroom, I go to grab a towel out of the cupboard when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My skin has a soft glow to it, as if the moon is reflecting off it. Shimmering golden hair has half fallen out of the bun I tied it in this morning. Releasing it, strands fall over my shoulders, down my back, and that’s when I see it. Fingers reaching down, I touch the small bump of my stomach that definitely wasn’t there yesterday. Did it just appear today? Overnight?

Breath hitching softly, I graze my smooth skin ever so gently, as if I’m afraid it might pop like a water balloon if I’m not careful enough. It’s so tiny, but clearly noticeable, and I can’t contain the sprinkle of joy that dusts through me at the sight.

My baby is growing. It’s finally showing.