Ruby nodded. “There’s only one class per grade, and the entire school district is on one campus, from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Although we do keep the high schoolers away from the little ones for safety reasons. Some of those elementary kids canbite.”
That time, Cordy didn’t bother holding back her laugh.
Ruby patted her arm. “You’ll find out for yourself soon. Are you planning to stay in Star Crossed Springs once the baby arrives?”
“I want the baby to know Reed’s family. Reed always made growing up here sound so lovely.” Cordy swallowed down the wistful knot in her throat. “So yeah, I’ll be staying until the baby is born. And I’ll come back to visit if I move.”
“But the Saxons aren’t making it easy for you.”
Cordy didn’t know what to say. Or what Ruby had heard from Hailey or Chance. Or what Ruby would tell Hailey after this.
Ruby might be here helping, but that didn’t make her Cordy’s new best friend.
“I don’t know any details,” Ruby clarified. “Hailey hasn’t said anything to me.”
“I haven’t told them I’ve moved yet.” Cordy took a deep breath and prayed she was doing the right thing. “Actually, we don’t really talk. I text them updates about the baby and stuff, and they don’t respond. They stopped interacting after Reed passed away.” That last part came out on a great rush of air before she could lose her nerve.
Ruby’s mouth fell open. “What?What?Good lord, you’re serious. Why would they…?” She rocked back on her heels. “I never heard a peep. Hailey—” Ruby closed her mouth decisively. “Well. I’ll have to chat with her. She must know her parents are being assholes.”
“She’s not talking to me either.”
Ruby’s expression turned fierce. “Okay, I’m definitely having a chat with her. That’s not right.”
Relief hit Cordy like a tidal wave. Ruby was Hailey’s friend but was also on Cordy’s side. And Ruby was going todosomething about Hailey’s behavior. It was massive.
After all that rolled through her, something was left. Small and warm and flickering.
It washope.
Ruby might have been friends with Hailey, but she was here, helping Cordy and calling the Saxons out on their behavior. She was being a friend toCordy,which made Cordy realize how desperately she needed something like this.
Cordy rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I just wish I understood why they want nothing to do with me.”
“It’s Reed.” Ruby grabbed a box. “He was their baby, especially for Janet. No woman ever would have been good enough for him in her eyes, but definitely not someone as independent as you.”
“She was nice at first,” Cordy said. “Well, almost nice. But when we told them we weren’t getting married, even with the baby coming, Janet wasn’t happy. And then Reed—” Her voice caught. “It went completely downhill after.”
Ruby started for the house. “Hailey and Bob are following Janet’s lead. Win her over, and the other two will follow. I’ll talk to Hailey—I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll try. Moving in with Chance won’t help, but they’ll have to deal. And they will if they want to see their grandbaby.”
It made sense, and Cordy desperately wanted to believe it. But if it wasn’t true and her baby never met their grandparents… She juggled the box in her arms, anxious tingles running over her skin.
“But they have to know I’m not with Chance,” she said. “He’s not like that.”
“You sure about that?”
“I am,” Cordy said firmly. “There are no intentions on either side here.”
Ruby released a relieved breath as she nudged open the front door. “Oh, good. I have to admit I was worried.”
“About what?”
“One, about Chance trying something. And two, about you thinking you could get Chance to settle down. But you seem pretty clear-eyed about him.”
Cordy didn’t like Ruby’s tone, but she couldn’t say why. After all, Cordy thought Chance was a tomcat—why should she care if Ruby did too?
“He might settle down someday,” Cordy said, following Ruby to her new bedroom. “Not with me. But with someone. He’s a genuinely good guy.”
Ruby shook her head. “He won’t. All the Kessal men are emotionally constipated. Trust me.”
