12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Laynie
Do you ever feel nervous doing something that you have done a thousand times? I’ve been to Honey Haven more times than I can count and never have I had this many butterflies swarming my insides. It’s like they are fighting each other, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Getting out of Betsie, her slightly rusted door whining shut, I lock her up and shove the keys in the pocket of my trackpants. An oversized hoodie covers up my nauseous body. I look over at my cousin, whose gaze sweeps over the ranch.
In the sunset, the place seems to shimmer in warm tones.
Golds, reds, deep purples, and oranges. It’s beautiful up here, and so much quieter than the middle of town.
Ashwood Creek might be small, but it can be noisy, especially during tourist season.
I love sitting up here watching the sunset.
We’ve done it ample times; Grayson, Macie, and I.
Setting down a blanket, grabbing some snacks and the spare quilt.
We’d sit on the hill, listening to the crickets buzz, and an occasional possum scurry through gumtrees. It’s pleasant and calming.
Sun lowering on the horizon, the air has chilled significantly, alerting the wildlife that it’s almost time to sleep—or wake if they’re nocturnal. The birds are quiet, bunnies find holes to sneak into, and the night creatures start emerging.
“This is a really nice farm,” Sadie mentions.
A smile tugs at my mouth. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. It’s where I escape to when I need to get away from home.”
“Plus, your friends live here,” Sadie reminds me as she walks around the car.
I nod, feeling a flush of heat crawl up my neck as I think of my best friend. “Yeah, and Hazel is just amazing. You’re going to adore her.” Sadie’s eyes droop for a second, and I sling my arm over her delicate shoulders. “I’m sorry, is it still too soon?”
“No.” Her head shakes against my neck. “I just miss Mum a lot.”
“We all do. Especially my mum. She misses her sister.”
Sadie sniffs, wiping beneath her eyes before plastering on a glossy grin. “I’ll be fine. It’s just still fresh. And she’s the one person who believed the most in my dancing. I wish she was still here to see me get the teaching position.”
I hug her tighter. “I’m sure she’s proud of you, Didi. And I’m so glad you’re staying in town. We’ll have to find our own place, although you probably won’t want to live with me when… you know…”
She waves her hand. “Won’t stop me. I love babies.”
My smile brightens as we move towards the front door of the wooden farmhouse.
Lights shine from inside, lighting up the porch.
I push open the door like I own the place.
Looking around the living room, my eyes gravitate towards Grayson immediately.
As if they’re beacons guiding me, our gazes collide, and I can’t look away.
Slipping off my shoes, I step in his direction, when Aspen almost knocks me over.
“Laynie. Look what I drew!” she squeals, stealing my attention. I grin at her brown pigtails and rugged up in threadbare pyjamas, Aspen holds up a piece of paper.
“Oh, wow,” I exaggerate, taking it from her to make out the colourful animals she tried to draw. Bending to her height, we look at the picture together. “I can see a dog.”
“That’s a lion,” she corrects, pointing to the orange creature. “That’s a seal.” My eyes follow the green lines. “An owl, horse and a cow!”
“Wow, this is a fun place,” I admit, beaming at her excited face. Flushed pink with freckles and a missing tooth, Aspen giggles loudly. “Did you see all of these around the ranch today?”
“No!” she squeaks, pushing my shoulder slightly. “There’s no seals in the creek.”
I huff out a laugh. “But there are lions around here, right?”
She shakes her head, pouting a little before taking the paper from my hands. “No. Dad says they’re on the other side of the world.”
“That’s right, kiddo,” Holden adds, strolling towards us.
Hearing his nickname for Aspen makes my heart bloom like a springtime flower. My dad calls me kiddo. He has since I can remember. To think that he chose Mum and I settles my anxiety just a fraction.
I peer over at Grayson again. I catch his gaze for a second time before his eyes dart away, focusing on whatever Reid is speaking about.
Holden kneels in front of his daughter, her eyes round and delighted as Aspen hands him her drawing. “Why don’t we go get you a jacket for outside? It’s going to be cold.”
“Okay!”
Aspen runs towards the stairs, and Holden scurries behind her, chasing her. Aspen’s high pitched giggles echo through the house.
Grinning, my eyes sweep over the room to see Hazel already talking with Sadie, the two of them laughing.
Feeling someone move to my side, I don’t need to look up to see who it is—my body is so used to his being beside me—but I do anyway. Grayson stares down at me, and my smile softens.
“Want to go outside?” he asks, nodding his head towards the back door, hands dug into the pockets of his grey trackpants.
“Sure.”
Macie and Sadie stay in the kitchen to organise the snacks, with Reid hovering around them trying to pick up six beer bottles at once. I can see this going horribly wrong, especially with Sadie hanging around. Despite being a dancer, she can be awfully clumsy.
Grayson holds open the glass door, his hand gently guiding my back out onto the porch. I have to do everything in my power not to shiver at his touch.
“Here.” He holds out a pair of gumboots for me.
Slipping my feet in, I flash him a warm smile before his hand presses the small of my back and guides me over to the firepit where Cole, Austin, and Sawyer are already relaxing.
My body heats at our proximity, and I wonder if he can feel the electricity buzzing between us or if it’s just me.
His hand nudges me just enough to remind me that it’s there.
The feeling is so tangible. It grounds me.
Reaching the chairs set up around the fireplace, I almost wince when his hand drops away. Grayson’s eyes flicker to me, but I ignore his stare as I sit beside Sawyer, who is telling Cole and Austin about his game last night.
I settle into the chair, crossing my ankles and leaning back. Grayson takes the one beside me, flopping down and stretching out his long legs.
“—then Wilson scored the last try, which helped us win by two points.” Sawyer’s voice mingles through my brain, forcing me to focus on him and not the way Grayson is watching me, fist tucked under his chin. I readjust again, trying to mask the blush creeping up my neck and along my cheeks.
I’m thankful it’s so dark out here.
Cole has one leg slumped over the arm of his chair, his head resting on his hand. He honestly looks bored out of his mind, but I know that’s just how he is when he’s listening intently. It doesn’t happen much with how lively he is.
Austin hums. Elbows resting on his knees, his smile stretches wide on his bearded cheeks. “It was a smash”—my eyebrow quirks—“I even recorded it to watch again. That ending—”
“—was spectacular,” Macie announces behind us.
Turning my head, Macie rushes towards Sawyer, throwing her arms around his neck.
“Hey, Macie Moo,” Sawyer chimes, hugging her awkwardly from his seat.
A satisfied huff comes out of her as Macie sits beside Reid, essentially on top of each other, while Sadie takes the empty one beside Cole. Cole’s attention is immediately lost on my cousin, who politely chats with him, but I can’t hear their conversation when Aspen runs out with Holden behind her.
“Not too close to the fire.” His fatherly voice comes out.
Aspen giggles, running up to Grayson, who scoops her into his lap, a grin splitting his face. “Come here before you’re in trouble, cheeky monkey.”
She chuckles, all bubbles and starlight, as Grayson blows raspberries on her neck and arms. The squealing drowns out the rest of the voices.
My gaze is stuck on them. Grayson, all smiles and gentle with Aspen, who is having a hard time breathing with the amount of tickles.
Her little hands try to push him away, but Grayson swats at them, not letting her go.
“Stop!” squeaks Aspen through gorgeous laughter.
“Never,” Grayson says.
My smile grows for a moment as my hand instinctively falls to my stomach, grazing my jumper. My toes wriggle at the sight of them, then I catch Holden’s deep blue eyes. They’re staring right at me. His gaze drifts to my hand rubbing my stomach.
I drop my arm, letting it hang for a moment before folding them across my chest. I blink away as heat blooms across my neck and cheeks, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. My heartbeat leaps into my throat, and my pulse pounds heavier, as if someone is hitting my veins with a hammer.
I shut my eyes, closing off the world for a moment as I try to collect myself before anyone here realises I’m on the brink of anxiety.
Holden saw me. Does he know that it meant something?
Crap.