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The women look at me and nod in unison. Ruin steps between them and me. I feel him considering whether to translate. The tension in the office suffocates me until I walk out of the room and down to my hog.
Checking the time, I realize Blair will get out of school soon. I decide to ride over and keep an eye out for trouble.
After texting a message to Ruin, I head to the elementary school and park next to Woodrow’s SUV waiting in the pickup line.
“Problem?” he asks casually in between playing word search on his phone.
“Maybe. Just wanted to be safe.”
Woodrow doesn’t give me a stink about second-guessing his ability to handle shit. He understands how my feelings for Landry and the kids are new and untested. I’m not sure what’s normal. I can only follow my gut instinct.
Blair walks out with the other kids. She cradles her arm, seeming nervous about so many people around her. I can’t believe how small and vulnerable she looks right now. I want nothing more than to wrap up the child in my armor and keep her locked away with her mama and siblings.
Spotting Woodrow’s SUV, she moves a little faster. Her eyes widen when she notices me idling on my hog. A little smile warms her face. She looks at me with the same hopeful gaze Landry wore earlier at lunch. They want so desperately for this new life to stick.
“Is something wrong?” Blair asks after Woodrow opens the passenger door and helps her into the SUV.
“I was riding around and figured I’d entertain Woodrow until you were ready to go home.”
Though Blair smiles, I notice her gaze flash around the parking lot. She’s searching for trouble. I do the same. No threats stand out. Just loud kids and impatient parents.
Trialing behind the SUV, I mentally count the weeks left before Brigitte is born and Blair finishes school in Beehive Ridge. Neither event can arrive fast enough.
LANDRY
On the day of my funtrip to the spa, I wake up in a cold panic. I’m so afraid to make a bad impression that I’d rather hide at the house with the kids. Rosemary and I are getting close. Silas is a great friend. Woodrow and I talked about sandwiches yesterday. That’s friendship right there. I shouldn’t be greedy and expect more.
Silas wraps me in his arms as I remain frozen in bed. “Ruin’s woman is weird in the head. Her sister is cracked, too. Try to be cool with them anyway.”
I realize he’s worried about me rejecting them rather than the other way around. Turning over, I stare into his beautiful eyes and try to be confident like him. Silas studies me, obviously confused by my silence.
“What is this mood?”
“You’ve given me a good life.”
“You’re welcome,” he says and kisses my forehead.
