I rarely drove the Mustang. Bryony liked for us to walk and wasn’t a big fan of the car seat. So it was nice to get behind the wheel and drive in silence. I loved my family and my life. I was thankful for it. But a day dealing with a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, a toddler, and schoolwork was mentally draining. This was normally my way of getting away for an hour and regrouping and relaxing. However, today I was tense and nervous.

It wasn’t like Brady had promised to call me or text me today. He had kissed me before we’d gone back to the truck last night, and we had taken our time with it. Then it had been the short drive home and a good night. No promises or plans.

Still, I was worried about him.

It was time for practice to be over, and I didn’t want Gunner to spot me in the parking lot, so I found a spot far enough away that I wouldn’t be obvious but I could still seem them.

Gunner’s truck was the closest to the field house, so he’d get to his truck first and be gone. Which worked out well for me. I watched the guys all leaving and only saw West as he climbed in his truck and left. Still no Brady or Gunner, and I began to get nervous. Surely West wouldn’t have left if he thought there had been a problem.

A knock on my window startled me, and I turned around in my seat to see West, who I had just watched drive off, parked beside me and standing at my window.

Crap. I was terrible at incognito.

Rolling down my window I dreaded this. I should have stayed home and waited. My worry got the best of me.

“They’re talking. Could be a while,” West said.

“He saw us last night,” I told him.

“I know. But things are different for Gunner now. The Lawton bunch isn’t so tight anymore.”

I nodded, understanding what he meant.

“You being here might not be the best idea, though. Brady will come to you when he’s ready.”

“Are they going to be okay?”

West chuckled. “If they tie up, Brady will take him. Gunner knows that. It’s fine.”

I still didn’t want them tying up.

“Go home. Trust me. It’s better for Brady.”

West didn’t hate me. He wasn’t threatening me and there were no evil glares. Maybe things were different now.

“Okay,” I agreed.

He gave me a nod, then went back to his truck but didn’t start it up. He was waiting on me to leave like he had suggested. I did as he said and drove out. I didn’t head to the house, though. I still needed a break from the day. So I just drove and waited for Brady to call or text.

It was after six, just before I was back at the house, when my phone rang.

“Hello,” I said.

“Hey. West said you came by looking for me. Sorry it took me so long to get out. Gunner and I had a talk.”

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. At least where Gunner is concerned. It’s okay. I can’t go home, though. Dad met me in the kitchen this morning and I told him not to come to practice today or I’d walk off the field. He demanded to know what my problem was. I stormed out of the house without eating. He didn’t show at practice, but he’ll be waiting on me at home.”

“I’m pulling in the drive now. Come here. Mom will have cooked enough. She always cooks too much. Eat with us and you can do homework in my room. I have to read to Bryony and give her a bath after dinner. Then we can go out and talk on the back porch.”

He paused, then I heard him sigh. “Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Ain’t a Thing Wrong with That

CHAPTER 38

BRADY

Gunner hadn’t said a word all day. He’d acted normal. It wasn’t until after practice that he walked up to me and said, “When are you going to tell me about Riley Young?”

I’d snapped and told him it wasn’t his damn business. I had expected a fight then, but he had only agreed that my life was my business, but that if I was hiding her because of him, then we needed to talk.

I let him talk, and he was of the opinion that Rhett wasn’t who he’d once thought he was, and even back then it had been hard to believe Riley could be so evil. She had always been honest and nice. If I trusted her, then so did he.

The one thing I had walked away from the talk unsure of was his asking if Riley might let him meet Bryony. She was his niece, after all, but with all that had happened, that was asking a lot of Riley. I didn’t want her to feel threatened in any way.

I told him as much, and he asked that I just talk to Riley about it. I would when I felt like she was ready. Right now, though, wasn’t that time. She had to adjust to the fact that Gunner Lawton believed her. I wasn’t positive how well that would go over. She had been hurt by him and his family, and if she couldn’t forgive him, he’d have to deal with it. He deserved it.

I wasn’t sure how comfortable I was going to be at her grandmother’s tonight. I didn’t know what her parents thought of me and if they’d be okay with me being there, but I wanted to be with Riley.

She was a mom, and she had responsibilities. I was willing to do whatever worked best for her and Bryony. This was it, so I’d be there. If her parents didn’t care for me, they’d see I really cared about their daughter and wanted her to be happy. That would hopefully change their minds.

My phone lit up, and it was Willa. I hadn’t gotten a call from her in a while.

“Hello,” I said, curious.

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what exactly?”

“For believing Riley Young. I like her. She didn’t deserve what happened with Rhett. I think your believing her helped Gunner let go of his hate. She should get to live in this town, not be ostracized. She took a terrible situation and made the best of it. That little girl is happy and loved. Riley’s a good person.”

I agreed. Completely. “She’s special. I’m the one who should be thankful.”

Willa was silent a moment, then said, “Yes, you should be. Tell her I’ll see her Friday night. I am saving her a seat beside me.”

“I will.”

We said our good-byes just as I pulled into the drive at Riley’s. I wished that Gunner’s acceptance and Riley’s chance at a female friendship could fix all my problems. A week ago this would have been all I needed.

Not now. My problems were deeper. Unfixable.

Riley opened the door before I got to it with Bryony at her legs waving at me as I walked toward them. “Mom is setting another place at the table. She’s happy you’re here. But be ready for Grandmamma. There is no telling what she will say or who she will think you are.”

There was a smile on her face as she said it, like she was amused by her grandmother and loved her.

“I’m looking forward to dinner with your family. Thanks for letting me escape here. Going home seems impossible.”

Her smile faded, and she nodded.

“Hi,” Bryony said brightly.

I turned my attention to the little girl looking up at me. “Hello, Bryony. Have you had a good day?”

She nodded. “I made corm bwead.” I was assuming that was corn bread.

“I can’t wait to have some. I’ll bet it’s delicious.”

“Oh, it is. I’ve already been brought two slices with butter. She keeps feeding me,” Riley said with a laugh. “Come on in,” she told me as she stepped back so I could enter the house.

Her father was sitting in the recliner with a newspaper in his hands and a pair of glasses perched on his nose. He looked up at me. “Hello, Brady. Glad you could join us tonight. I’m always outnumbered by women.”

“Thanks for having me on such short notice,” I replied.

He waved a hand as if to say no problem. “Not at all. Anytime. We like the company.”

“I can’t find my yellow butter dish. Have you used it?” Grandmamma asked, shuffling into the room from the kitchen.

“No, ma’am,” Riley replied.

She frowned. “I’ll need that if I’m gonna make the rolls for the pot roast.” She turned and went back into the kitchen.

“She’s been trying to cook all afternoon. Lyla is exhausted from it,” Mr. Young said once she was out of the room.