Page 54 of What About Us

And I never pout. That’s ridiculous. But I am today.

Because I fucking miss Ivy, and I hate that she isn’t here this morning to have breakfast with me and get my day started with all her sweetness.

But above every selfish reason I have for wanting her here with me, I’m worried about her.

It took everything in me to walk away from her yesterday. The way her mother spoke to her, looked at her, everything had my back up, and I kept my phone nearby the rest of the day, in case she called or texted, but I never heard from her. I should have gone over there to check on her. At the very least, I should have called.

Now, this morning, I have to find out if she’s okay, so I shoot her a text.

Me: Good morning, Red. Just thinking about you. How are you holding up?

I sip my coffee and watch the bubbles bounce on the screen as she types out a reply.

Red: Good morning. I’m okay. Not wonderful, but it’ll be okay.

That sounds like she’s convincing herself as well as me.

I wish I didn’t have to go to this meeting this morning because I’d like to go check on Ivy, see if there’s anything I can do to help her. The thought of the resigned, sad look on her face yesterday is killing me.

Maybe after my meeting today I can go pick her up and take her for breakfast or even bring her here for the day so she can do her own thing. I won’t bother her if she wants to be left alone.

Me: You got this, wildcat. I’ll be in touch later today.

Red: Thanks for checking in!

Seeing that I need to leave to get to the ranch on time, I set my mug in the sink and head out to climb into the SUV. I miss my little sports car, but it still puts a lot of pressure on my knees when I climb in and out of it, so it’s probably best if I stick with the Rover for a few more weeks.

The drive to my childhood home, out on the Hendrix Ranch, takes about fifteen minutes. I don’t bother to knock as I walk through the front door and follow my nose and the sound of chatter to the kitchen, where almost everyone is gathered around the island already.

“You made muffins,” I say with a grin and walk around to hug my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Darby. Her huckleberry muffins are the best. “You’re my favorite sister.”

Darby snorts and Ava’s eyes lift to me. She narrows them as she cocks her head to the side.

“I know all your secrets,” Ava says.

“No, you don’t,” I counter, and then Harper walks in carrying my niece. “Hey, now you’re my favorite sister. Give me the baby.”

“He’s quite fickle today,” Ava tells Harper. “And apparently, bribable with food and babies.”

“Good to know,” Harper says as she takes the sleeping baby out of her car seat and passes her over to me. I cradle her in the crook of my arm and watch as she sucks on her little pacifier.

“Now she’s happy,” I say as I sway side to side. “Don’t worry, Uncle X is here.”

“Yes, she was so worried,” Tucker’s voice is dry as he watches me with humor in his eyes.

“I’m heading out to the barn so you guys can do the sibling thing,” Darby says. “There are more muffins keeping warm in the oven if you want them.”

“We’ll want them,” I assure her. “Thanks, D.”

She winks, Tucker pulls her in for a heated kiss that makes Ava roll her eyes, and then Darby leaves through the back door.

“Blake was going to keep Belle, but he got called into the ER,” Harper says.

“She’s fine,” Ava says, waving her off.

Tucker moves in next to me and drags his fingertip down Belle’s soft cheek.

“She’s so tiny,” he whispers.