Page 62 of Forbidden Secrets
“A man like you, a protector?That hurt would cut deep.”
Pancake thrust her face between them, and Melanie let go of him.He was grateful for the diversion.She’d brought a sheen of acceptance over memories that’d brought guilt and rage, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it.“Let’s go.”
He opened the back door and wrestled with a wiggling Pancake to unclip her.Once free, she leapt out of the car.Shiloh, Sawyer’s big-ass German shepherd, bulleted around the corner of the house and they chased each other around the wide yard.
Gage caught Melanie’s attention.“Are we doing this?”
“Yeah,” she said, nodding.“I’m glad you’re with me.”
He put out his hand.After a brief hesitation, she clasped it, holding tight as they approached the house.
***
The front door opened and two dogs ran down the porch steps, one so tiny Mel worried it might get trampled.The other, medium size with mottled fur and bright eyes, leapt off the porch to catch up with Pancake and her friend.
Delaney followed the dogs onto the porch, a blonde-haired woman with a baby on her hip coming out with her.Melanie climbed the stairs, Gage a solid presence at her side.
“Hey, you two.”Delaney waved them forward.“Mel, this is my sister Cam and her boy JT, boycotter of naps.You missed seeing her at the farm the other day.”
“Oh, boycotting naps is not good.Nice to meet you, Cam.”The little boy studied Mel solemnly.“JT looks big enough he should be carrying you.”
“No kidding.He’s not even a year old and already wears a two-year-old size.”
The little boy switched his attention to Gage.
“Come on, bud.Let’s give your mom a break.”JT put out his arms and Gage released Mel’s hand to hoist him up.
Melanie didn’t know why it surprised her that Gage was so easy with a child.“JT looks like Sawyer’s mini-me,” she observed.
“He does, except for his eyes,” Delaney agreed.“That aqua color is all Cam.You’re a natural with him, Gage.”
“What can I say?Little dude likes me.Harper, on the other hand, acts like I’d eat her for breakfast.”
“It’s not only you.The people allowed to hold that girl are me, Walker, and Gran.If she’s feeling generous, her aunties.She’s taken the stranger-danger concept to heart.And,” she added, “we’re fortunate she’s napping because she’s been cranky with a tooth coming in on top of getting over a cold.”
Some of Mel’s anxiety lessened with the easy welcome.“I don’t miss teething.They’re just so miserable.”Mel crouched down when the tiny dog with a sparkly lime-green collar sniffed her shoes.“This is the most adorable dog I’ve ever seen.Is she a Morkie?”
“Yep,” Cam said.“That’s Willa.Would you mind bringing her inside?We don’t let her run around with the big dogs.I’m afraid a hawk will think she’s a snack-size treat.”
Mel scooped up Willa, who licked her hand.“You, little thing, can’t weigh more than a newborn baby.My daughter would go nuts over Willa,” she told Cam.
Cam smiled as she led the way into the house.“You’re welcome to bring her over so they can meet.Willa loves kids.Come on in.The guys are out back.”She waved behind the door.“You can leave outerwear on the hooks.”
Melanie set Willa down and she trotted to a small bed next to the hearth.Gage took Mel’s jacket and hung it beside his.Cam led the way to a bright kitchen that had been remodeled since Melanie had been there last.She’d been inside the big house many times as a child.The home now had a brighter, more open feel than it had back then.
Freshly baked turnovers cooling on wire racks smelled heavenly.
A woman with silver hair rose from a chair at the table and came forward using a cane.Regal and reserved, Clara Bryant had raised her granddaughter while Delaney’s mostly absent father had crisscrossed the globe working as a photojournalist.
“Hello, Mrs.Bryant.”
“It’s good to see you, Melanie.I’m pleased you’re home in Sisters.”
Clara Bryant, who had every reason to judge her harshly, grasped Melanie’s hand briefly before releasing her.Melanie swallowed against the sudden rush of emotion tightening her throat.
“This is where you and your little girl belong,” Clara murmured.“I spoke with your mother the other day.She and Paul are so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you.It’s good to be back.It feels like home.”
