“Really?” Cordy’s eyes widened. Lane was the brother who never came home. And as a Kessal man, she knew he had issues when it came to love. “He left because of her?”
“Basically,” Chance said. “He wanted to get away from Dad as soon as he could. But she wouldn’t leave with him, and he’s never spoken her name since. At least not while he’s sober.”
“Dakota hasn’t been home in three years,” Ruby said.
“Neither has Lane,” Chance said.
Cordy didn’t quite understand. Dakota had refused to leave town with Lane, but she’d left on her own? And neither one of them had bothered to come back to visit after? “But why?”
Neither Chance nor Ruby answered Cordy. Maybe the reasons were mysterious to them, too.
The woman turned toward them as they discussed her. She was young, about early twenties, pretty, and clearly upset to see them. Her face was a mask of shock as she came closer.
“Is Lane here?” she asked without even a greeting. “Did he see me?”
“He’s not here,” Chance said. “He’s never here.”
That didn’t seem to ease Dakota’s mind. “Don’t tell him you saw me. Please.”
“I won’t.” Chance’s mouth tightened. “He never even says your name.”
In spite of how bold that was, Chance’s tone was gentle.
Ruby sent Chance a sharp look, then put her arm around Dakota. “Honey, let’s go sit down. Tell me about your grandma. How is she doing? I’ve been meaning to get over there. I’m so glad you’re back home.” She jerked her chin at Chance. “Go get us some lemonade, please. Cordy, you’ll be okay?”
All Cordy could do was nod. She was too stunned to do anything else.
Dakota had looked wrecked.
Sometimes, Ruby looked wrecked.
And they had both loved Kessal men.
Chance had said love ruined Kessal men, and Cordy believed him. But she hadn’t considered what it did to the women they loved.
Was that part of why Chance refused to commit to anyone? Because he’d seen what had happened to Dakota and Ruby? Hewas always so careful, not only of Cordy but of all the women he’d been with.
Suddenly, a funnel cake didn’t sound so good. She wanted a tall, cold bottle of water and time to absorb this.
But when Cordy turned around to find that, she realized her day was about to get even worse.
Mr. and Mrs. Saxon were standing right behind her. Hailey was with them.
Cordy went stone still, cold prickles running down her back and up her arms. What was she supposed to do? Say?
The baby is the size of a pineapple.That was all that came to her.
The Saxons didn’t look so shocked. Their expressions were wary, closed off, but they weren’t surprised to see her.
Had they come over to her? Did they want to talk? They looked almost like they did.
Cordy swallowed down the knot in her throat. “Hi.” She put her hands on the side of her belly so it didn’t look like she was protecting herself from them. “How are you?”
“We’re…” Mr. Saxon looked at his wife, then his daughter. “We’re okay.”
He saidokaythe same way he’d describe something he didn’t want to do again.It was… okay. I guess.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Cordy said as if he’d meant it in a good way. “I really am.”
