Page 119 of The Only Heart that Matters

“Anyone who has anything to say about it will have to answer to me,” he says sternly, but quietly so he doesn’t startle Sawyer.

I force a smile but look away. He means well, but he has no clue. “That’s sweet, but as the woman in this situation, everyone will look at me differently. It’s just the way it is. I will forever carry this scandal. Knox will come out unscathed, and as long as I live in this town, I will be the woman with a scarlet letter on her chest.”

The concern in his eyes says it all. The worries that are always in the back of my mind, never even crossed his.

“I’m sorry. I know everything in your world is about to change, but I’ll be by your side every step of the way, if you’ll still have me?”

“Do you think I would go through all of this if it weren’t for a real chance with you?”

“Fancy seeing the three of you out here,” Daisy says, joining us. I’ve been so focused on Angus, I have no idea how long she’s been within earshot, and what she has overheard.

Angus doesn’t seem worried though. He gives her a nod and keeps his attention on me when he acknowledges her. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, bro. Hey, bestie. What are you two whispering about over here?”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Sawyer bounces with excitement in Angus’s arms. “Daisy! Look! Bernie!”

As if she knows a battle royale is about to go down, Bernadette backs up, like she refused to do when she placed herself in the doorway of Gus’s house the night I told him about Knox. I wish I could do the same when Daisy takes her place, standing between us.

“Say, bye‌,” Angus says, waving to the bovine.

“Bye, Bernie!” Sawyer waves. He starts to put his hand in his mouth, but Angus stops him. “We have to wash our hands after petting the animals. No hands in the mouth.”

Daisy watches her brother’s interaction with Sawyer in complete surprise. “When did this happen? When did you become domesticated?”

He looks offended. “What? Didn’t think it was possible?”

“I’m not sure what I think about anything anymore.” The hurt in her tone floods me with guilt.

“Dais, I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”

“I’m not. It’s our business,” Angus cuts in. “We’re allowed to keep it to ourselves until we’re ready to share.”

He’s right, but this is Daisy. We need to tread lightly.

“I have one question.” She pauses, staring across the pasture, not looking at either of us until she speaks again. Her eyes on her brother. “Is this it? Are you in this for the long haul? Are you ready to be a daddy?”

“That’s three questions.”

Ugh. Why is he messing with her right now? And why am I breaking out into a sweat in anticipation of his answer?

“They should all have the same answer if everything you said last night is true.” She crosses her arms over her chest, waiting.

“Yes. Mia is it for me. There will never be anyone else. I’m in this for as long as she’ll have me, and if given the honor, I will take care of this kid like he’s my own. Till my dying day.”

Daisy looks at me, her eyes glossy. She doesn’t have to say anything. I know what she’s asking‌ and I nod in reply.

Yes, I feel the same. If we can get through the storm ahead, there will be no one else. Ever.

In an unexpected move, she throws her arms around me. My body sags with relief as her embrace holds me up. “Your place tonight. You put that kid to bed and then you are going to tell me everything.”

“Everything?”

“Okay, maybe noteverything, because ew.” She gags. We giggle and hold each other. “I’m happy for you. He’s a pretty great guy.”

“He is,” I say, smiling at him as he watches our friendship mend.

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