Cordy was too stunned to answer him. She was surrounded by people who were angryforher. Who wanted her to be treated the way she wanted to be treated. The usual answers she gavewere there on her lips—They’re grieving, it’s hard for them too—but didn’t come out.
“Thank you,” was what she said. She looked at everyone. “Thank you so much.”
Pierce came running back as fast as he’d taken off, his chest heaving with effort. A plastic cup of lemonade was crumpled in his hand. “I went… as fast… as I could… is she… okay?”
“She’ll be fine.” Ruby pressed the cold lemonade into Cordy’s hand. “You don’t have to thank us. Drink some of that before you pass out.”
Cordy didn’t feel anywhere close to passing out. At first, she had, but when they clustered all around her, she felt… strong.
“I’m okay.” Her voice gathered power. “I really am.”
Jaycee dabbed at Cordy’s cheeks, wiping up the last of the tears. Cordy didn’t even realize she’d been crying. “There,” Jaycee said. “That’s better.”
Someone was coming toward them, large and wearing boots. When Cordy looked up, Chance was there.
His expression was stark. Even so, Cordy’s entire body loosened, relief rushing through her. He was here. She’d be safe.
“I talked to Hailey,” he said tightly. “It won’t happen again.”
Cordy was so glad to see him, it took her a moment to realize what he’d done. “You talked to them? What did you say?”
“Nothing that they didn’t need to hear.” Chance spoke through a tense jaw. “You don’t have to take shit from them constantly. You fight so hard for this baby… they need to recognize that. They don’t get to treat you like they have been. It’s donenow.”
That sent shivers down her spine—good shivers. Commanding, protective Chance washot.That look he was wearing filled up places inside her she didn’t even know were empty.
“They’re upset,” she said in a weak, instinctive protest. “They’re grieving.”
“So are you. They need to learn how to act like adults.”
Ruby nodded vigorously. “Exactly. I’ll talk to Hailey too.”
Jaycee nodded, too, but with less force. “Sweetie, they kind of… suck.”
They… they reallydid.They were her baby’s grandparents, and she had to have some kind of relationship with them—hopefully a decent one—but it was true.
Cordy felt her whole body sag. Admitting that to herself—finally—didn’t feel good. She felt worn out.
Before she could straighten up, Chance was there, lifting her into his arms. Cordy was so shocked all she could do was grab at his shoulder.
He scooped me right up!Giddy waves rolled through her.
“We’re going home,” he growled. “And getting away from all these people.”
Her chest swelled because getting scooped upandswept away from her haters was the best.
“I’m all right,” she said, even as she curled into his chest.
“I want to get you home.” His tone was oddly tender. “I didn’t think this would happen. Shouldn’t have left you alone. The Saxons wouldn’t have done that if I’d been there.”
He was right. If any of the people standing next to her had been there, the Saxons wouldn’t have approached her. They’d taken advantage of her being alone.
Except it hadn’t started off bad. Hailey and Mr. Saxon had been trying. And so had Mrs. Saxon, kind of, until it had all gone wrong.
Still, it was nice to know she wasn’t alone. People were rooting for her, like Chance had said.
“We can stay,” she told Chance. She set her head against his shoulder because she was tired, and it fit there so nicely.
“No, let’s go home.”
