Page 100 of The Only Heart that Matters

“Cal, what’s got you so wound up?” I duck under a pine tree branch along the path back to the barn. “I thought you were excited.”

“I was. I mean, I am. It’s just a lot, you know? Running the store, building the house, and now Charlotte is pregnant. What if I’m not around enough? What if she feels like I’m not pulling my weight? What if the dog doesn’t like the baby?”

I hold my chuckle in, enjoying this vulnerable side of my big brother.

Careful not to let my smile show, I do my best to ease his mind. “Listen, I get that you’re scared, I do. But you’ll figure out how to prioritize all the balls you’re juggling. It’s not like you’ll be building the house for the next twenty years. It’s your dream house, on your dream piece of land. It will all be worth it. As for Ruby, she’s gonna be that kid’s best friend. She’ll protect the baby just as much as you will.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” He says the words, but I’m not sure he believes them.

“You got this, big brother. I think you’re just so damn happy you’re waiting for something shitty to happen. Sorry to tell you, but I think you’re finally living the life you’ve always deserved.Quit worrying about what could happen. Live in the moment and count yourself lucky as hell.”

He gives me a nod. The turmoil behind his eyes has lightened and hopefully, the load weighing on his shoulders has lessened. He may not realize it, but it means a lot that I was the person he reached out to. Cal has been there for me countless times. It’s nice to be on the other side of the equation.

The moment is fleeting, because what Cal says next nearly knocks me out of my saddle.

“So, you’ve been into Mia our whole lives and we all missed it, didn’t we?”

Now I’m the brother with the zipped lips. Shocked at the change in conversation, I measure the words in my head before allowing myself to reply. Seems to be hereditary.

“Charlotte noticed it the first time she saw you two together, and I told her she was crazy. But then I saw you carrying her to the barn the night of the wedding.”

“What?”

“Yep, you cock-blocked me on my wedding night, asshole.” He chuckles. “Charlotte and I were about to make our way to the tack room to consummate our vows, but you beat us to it.”

“Sorry for the cock-block, but I’m not gonna apologize for Mia. Never.” I know how defensive I sound. I’ve known one day soon we’d have to face our families. However, I am not prepared for today to be that day.

“So?”

“What do you want me to say, Callen?”

“This is a lot more than a fake relationship, isn’t it?”

“I’d do anything for Mia and Sawyer.”

“Because you love her.” It’s not a question.

I won’t deny it, but I’m also not ready to confess my love for Mia to my big brother before I actually say the words to her. Shedeserves to hear them first. So, I leave his statement blowing in the wind.

“Well, if you’re worried about the family, don’t be. You know how we feel about her. You’ve got our support. Daisy will require a conversation, but you know she’ll come around. Besides, I think she already knows. She’s been shifty anytime the two of you and your fake marriage come up.”

“Shit. Does it come up a lot?”

“As much as you would expect. Not a lot happens around here. We have to get our entertainment where we can. But the look on your face tells me it’s not as funny as we thought.”

“What does Mom say?”

“Like I said, it’s all good. All any of us want is for you to be happy. Both of you. But she’s a package deal, Gus. You ready to be a daddy?”

“I love that kid.”

“We all do. But this is different. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not just her heart. It’s Sawyer’s, too. And they aren’t going anywhere. So, there’s that.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Good.”

“Is that all?” I ask, because it feels like he should have a lot more questions.

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