Page 126 of The Only Heart that Matters

Oh, this man and his heart. He has been doing his very best to keep me distracted while I wait for Daisy tocome around, as everyone likes to tell me she will. I would rather lock myself up at home and pout and worry, but Angus isn’t having any of that. He’s making sure I don’t have time to dwell in my misery.

MIA

Sure, I’ll run home and change.

Angus

No need. I grabbed your favorite sweats, your sexy slides, and a change of clothes for Tater. Just get that booty of yours over here.

Tater appears to be sticking. I’m not sure when it happened, but this is his new nickname for Sawyer. He and his Gus Gus are two peas in a pod.

Angus has immersed himself in our daily lives. He’s changed his hours at the bar, leaving the weekday evenings to his staff. If the bar is slow on Fridays and Saturdays, he comes home as early as possible. He helps get Sawyer ready in the morning and helps with our nighttime routine. He’s had genius ideas for potty training, and they could play for hours if I let them. But he also respects my rules and doesn’t cave and break them, even when I know he wants to.

Then, after Sawyer’s in bed, he’s all mine. We talk and we laugh, and we make love.

To think myself and pretty much everyone in Goose Hollow doubted Angus McKinnon ever wanted a life like the one he’s currently living is almost funny now. He was born to be a loving partner and father-figure. To those of us in his life, it shouldn’thave come as a surprise. Now and then, I wonder if he’ll tire of the monotony that comes with taking on a ready-made family. But in my heart, I know him, and I know he’s in this for the long haul. He’s thoughtful and kind, but Angus doesn’t do anything Angus doesn’t want to do.

MIA

Thank you. We’ll head that way right now.

Angus

Love you, Goof.

My heart skips a beat, like it does every time he tells me he loves me. I’m like a walking smiley face with heart eyes emoji, thanks to the love of this man.

MIA

Love you.

I double check my phone for any missed calls or texts from Daisy before starting the engine, but there’s nothing.

She’ll come around.

She’ll come around.

Everyone is sure of it.

But what if she doesn’t?

Putting the car in drive, I point us toward the lake. The lake I haven’t been to since my parents sold our family home and moved away. It should feel odd to be going to Knox's place, but friends and family make more use of his lake house than he does.

I think he had it built, so when he came home to visit, he had a place to hide. So he wouldn’t have to stay with anyone. He’s always been a loner. He loves his family, but he’s always needed his space. Always wanted more than what Goose Hollow could give him. It’s a shame, because his family misses him.

The McKinnon siblings are close, but Knox keeps himself just on the periphery of their tight-knit circle. Although, I have no idea what the four of them get up to on their annual birthday week trips. Being that they were all born in August, every year the four of them go on vacation together. They escape somewhere the paparazzi can’t find them and spend a week together. It’s just them, no other family members. No friends.

The only exception they ever made was last year, when all the chaos happened with Charlie’s stalker on day one of their trip. There was no way Callen could leave her behind. And since the two of them share a birthday, she finished the rest of the trip with the siblings.

What happens this summer? Will Knox still take part? I knew when I revealed the truth, it could damage relationships. I expected Daisy’s reaction. After keeping it to myself this long, it was one of the many repercussions I feared. But I had no intention of coming between brothers. Things have been strained since Knox found out about Sawyer. He replies to Angus when he reaches out to ask how he’s doing, but he insists that he’s fine and too busy to talk. Gus worries about him, but I don’t know what to think. He’s shown no interest in getting to know his son, other than to teach him to ride a horse. He’s asked no questions about him or his life for the last two and a half years.

Knox has only reached out twice. Once, shortly after our video call, to tell me he wouldn’t seek custody, but he would start a trust for Sawyer if I refuse to accept child support. When he said he wanted to teach Sawyer to ride, hope for some kind of relationship between the two took root. It’s not a lot, but it’ssomething. But the only other time I’ve heard from him was a text to get my email address and Sawyer’s social security number so he could get documents drawn up for the trust and sohis peoplehad my contact info.

When my tires hit the dirt road leading to Knox’s house, my mind snaps to attention. The road isn’t too rough, but it’s still best to have my wits about me in case a rock jumps out of nowhere and attacks the vehicle.

A few minutes later, I’m pulling a sleeping Sawyer out of his car seat. This happens every time we hit the road to the lake house. Where my body moans and groans from the movement, it soothes him to sleep. But as soon as he hears Angus yell, “I’m in the kitchen!” he wakes right up.

“Gus Gus,” Sawyer says under his breath as he squirms to get out of my arms.

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