“Take me back,” she whispers. “I need to go back. Right now.”
She turns before I can answer, inching away like every molecule between us burns. But I see the tight swallow. The tension in her shoulders.
And when I guide Dusty back toward the house, I don’t miss the tears slipping down her flushed cheeks.
What the fuck just happened? And why does it feel like I ruined the one good thing I never really had?
Chapter Twenty Two
One Step from Forever
“You should come out with us,” Griff says, smiling as he leans against the hardware store counter, all giant, tattooed arms, and enthusiasm.
He’s been spending too much time with Wilder.
“Out?” Holt asks, body stalling mid-action for a beat. He blinks, brain coming back online, and drops the screws in the bag. “To where?”
“We're going to the Twisted Saddletomorrow night to celebrate.”
“Celebrate…” Holt murmurs, brows tight. He drags his beanie lower and flicks his gaze to the old school register. “That’ll be seven flat.”
I pull a ten from my wallet, pass it over and give him an apologetic look. “Ignore him.”
“Oh,” he says, eyes flicking between us. “Alright.”
“No,” Griff drawls. “Don’t ignore him, Holt. We’re celebrating Kade finally getting his kid.”
“Griff.” I sigh, yanking my hat off. I tuck the bill into my back pocket and tug on my hair, anxiety practically strangling me. “Don’t jinx it.”
In the last few weeks, everyone in town has found out about what happened with Marlee and Aurora. It’s been impossible to keep it under wraps with all the construction going on, and the trips I’ve had to make into town for supplies.
Not to mention, Griffin and Wilder tell everyone they see they can’t wait to meet their niece.
“What?” he says, blinking innocently at me. “You finished that entire fuckin’ checklist in record time. Your house is perfect. Aurora’s room is done, and that stuffy social worker will be there at five to sign off on everything.” He grins, squeezing my shoulder with a shake. “Stop stressing. Few days from now, that baby girl will be yours. Mark my fuckin’ words.”
I swallow hard, but don’t respond. Can’t.
“Congratulations, Kade.” Holt passes me my change and bag, flashing me a quick smile. He clears his throat, looking away again. “I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
“Thanks, man.” I tip my chin and heft the heavy mantle I custom ordered from him a few weeks ago. “And thank you again for doing this. It’s beautiful. You do damn fine work.”
“Might have to order one for myself,” Griff calls, holding the door for me. “See you at nine tomorrow, Holt.”
“Yeah, sure,” he mutters, bearded jaw ticking. “Maybe.”
The glass door sways shut gently behind Griffin and he stares down the three inches that separate us, giving me a disapproving look.
“That man has busted his ass to help you get the shit you need from other towns to finish your place. Least you can do is be polite and invite him for a fucking drink, you selfish prick.”
“I’ve invited Holt Montgomery to get a drink at least once a month since I got home. He always saysmaybe, and never shows.”
I carefully set the mantle on a blanket in the cab of my truck, right next to the cloud-shaped bookshelves I picked up for Aurora’s room. They’re bright white and soft-edged—adorable,apparently—which is why I had to drive two towns over to find them today. The Archer women are relentless when it comes to a vision.
“Let’s grab Wild and get back,” I mutter, jerking my chin toward the coffeeshop we left him at twenty minutes ago.
He nods, falling into step beside me.
Griffin’s not wrong, the house is done. But I haven’t laid eyes on Aurora’s room since my mom claimed it as her personal grandbaby project the day Georgia showed up at Honey Bea.
