Page 25 of Her Billionaire's Baby Secret

He drove his grandma over to the cemetery. She kept dabbing her eyes on the way over. “Thank you for the kind words you said about Gramps.”

“It was an honor,” Kane said. “He really was an amazing man who helped make me who I am today.”

“It would have meant a lot to him to hear you say that.”

They parked when he arrived at the cemetery, and dread filled his belly. He wasn’t sure he was ready to say goodbye. He couldn’t imagine what his grandma must have been feeling. He knew the pain of divorce, but the death of a spouse wasn’t something he could fathom. He wasn’t sure which would be worse.

At least he wasn’t still pining for Orchid. That had died out a long time ago. He knew his grandmother longed to hug her husband one last time. She wouldn’t ever get the chance.

Sariah crossed the grass with Mrs. Tate. Kane looked over at her and met her gaze. She gave him an encouraging smile, and he felt a bit of strength he hadn’t had before. There was a tent set up next to the graveside with chairs set up in rows inside. His mom sat next to his grandma, and he sat on the second row.

“Mind if we sit with you?” Sariah offered.

“Sure. Have a seat.” Her presence was comforting.

She scooted into the chair next to him, and Mrs. Tate followed, taking the next available seat. He could smell her perfume, that familiar scent that took him to simpler days when he’d been happy and carefree.

He wanted to find those days again. His life was full of too much darkness lately. Sariah had brought him so much joy. Would he ever be that happy again? He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been so happy. It was before all the money and fame had come. He was the first to say that money didn’t bring happiness. Sariah brought happiness. And so did Maple Creek. He felt drawn to her in that moment. It had been happening more and more lately. It terrified him because he wasn’t sure where these feelings for her would lead. He wasn’t ready for anything serious.

But the more he spent time with Sariah, the closer he felt to her. And he wasn’t willing to give up her friendship. Not again. He’d lost her once, and now he was starting to find her again. He may never have her fully restored to his life like she’d once been, but he was going to hold onto what he now had with her. It comforted him when life was so dark. He was starting to realize how much he needed that.

His grandfather’s casket was lowered into the ground, and Sariah took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. He knew she didn’t mean anything romantic by it, but he couldn’t help the feeling of warmth that was growing in his chest.

After the services, he took his grandmother’s arm and led her back to his car. “I’m so sorry, Grandma. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now.”

She didn’t say anything, but she wiped away tears. He opened her door and helped her inside the rental car. He heard her sniffle before he shut the door and rounded the vehicle to the driver’s side.

He drove back to his grandmother’s house. His parents were already there and had opened the house for the guests who were beginning to pour through the doors. Sariah pulled up in her grandmother’s driveway, and he saw them go into her grandma’s house, probably to get the casserole she’d promised at the funeral.

“I can’t believe how many people showed up,” his grandma said as she got out of the car.

“Gramps was a well-loved man in Maple Creek.” Maple Creek Baptist Church had a huge sanctuary, and it had been packed.

“It was a lovely service,” she said as they walked into the house.

The inside of the home was packed with loved ones. His mom was bustling about, getting food set out on the table. She’d worked hard the day before to get everything cleaned up after their organizing session.

Sariah and her grandma came into the house with the casserole. Sariah set it on the table next to the rolls they’d ordered from Alexis’s bakery. His mom set up the slideshow on the tv in the living room. Several people crowded around to watch the memories of Gramps’ life.

The front door opened, and Chase stepped inside with his wife, Lauren, and her daughter, Penny. Kane went to greet them, and Chase gave him a big hug. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Kane pulled back. “Thanks, man. It was really great of you to come.”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Lauren said. “You mean a lot to us.” He’d been a groomsman in their wedding and had gone to high school with both of them.

Kane grabbed a plate of food and ate, letting the comfort of the food wash over him. He now understood why people always brought food over when someone died. It felt better to eat. He was just finishing up his food and greeting a few guests when his phone rang. He checked the screen.

It was Orchid. He debated silencing his phone, but decided he’d better see what she needed. “I’m so sorry. I need to take this call.” He stepped outside to the front porch and sat in one of the rocking chairs.

“Hey, Kane.”

“What’s going on, Orchid? You do know it’s my grandpa’s funeral today, right?”

“I’m so sorry to bother you today, but I thought you’d want to know.”

“Know what?” he asked.

“I got the results from the paternity test back this morning. They told me the gender too.”

“Okay.” His heart began to pound, and he gripped the arm of the chair. “So what were the results?”

“It’s a girl. And you’re the father.”

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