37. Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Laynie
I’m convinced that the world looks prettier after a downpour. The roads are darker. Trees and foliage stand out more. Puddles reflect the dim sunlight like mirrors. Stunning.
We turn onto the gravel drive of Honey Haven, the wooden sign hanging above with bold lettering and tiny bee images Mum painted for Hazen and Austin.
The main house stands tall and proud, coated in a fresh layer of water.
Several cars are lined up out the front, birds flutter about enjoying the reprieve of rain, and the animals are munching away behind wooden fences.
As soon as Grayson’s ute stops with the others, I let out a small breath. He looks my way, gaze steadily meeting mine before dropping to my stomach where my hand is resting.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
I shrug. “I’ve felt better.”
His mouth purses before looking out the windscreen at the grey clouds up ahead, heading towards us slowly. “I just want you to know, Laynie, that whatever happens, we’re going to get through it.”
Throat working, I look down at my now knitted hands.
All my nail polish has been picked off, leaving them dry and scratched.
My lungs exhale again when I nod. “I know.” I pause, taking in the scenery in another slow glance, “It’s just scary, that’s all.
Not knowing what’s going to happen. This is all so new and nerve wracking. ”
“Do you think you should talk with Charlotte about this? Maybe she could help you through it. Get your anxiety down some more?”
My head shakes at his words. “As much as I have grown to love Charlotte, there’s someone else who I rely on when I am worried.” Blinking up at him through my lashes, I can see the spark of retaliation in his sky blue irises.
Grayson’s head tilts a little. My cheeks heat. Without saying anything, he reaches over, taking my hand in his, brushing his lips across the back. The flutter in my chest starts up again as I watch him failing at hiding his grin.
“I’ll always help you through your anxiety, Biscuit. I wish I could take it away from you,” he admits, tone quiet.
Teeth chewing on my bottom lip, I sniff softly, the feeling of moisture stinging my eyes. I swallow the tears away, giving him a smile that matches his. “Yeah, but the fact that you’re here means more to me. That you stayed when—”
“I wasn’t going to leave you, Laynie,” he admits. “Even if you had told me that Scott was going to stay with you, I wouldn’t have been able to stay away. You’re my best friend, Laynie. Nothing and nobody would be able to change that.”
My throat works loudly, pushing down the lump that formed this morning.
Lips wobbling, I lean over as far as I can over the console.
Grayson meets me halfway, my hands holding his stubbled cheeks, eyes searching his.
“I don’t think you understand how happy that makes me feel.
Here I was worried that I had done something terrible, and then you say that,” I croak out, head shaking in disbelief.
“I’m just telling you the truth, as I always have.”
“And I love you for that,” I murmur under my breath.
The corner of his mouth curls as Grayson closes the gap between us.
My eyes shut at the contact of our lips.
Smooth and soft, tasting faintly of coffee, I press myself against him.
Grayson sighs blissfully. I let out a gentle moan, soaking up our connection.
My fingertips fizzle with joy as he kisses me lightly yet firmly.
Rough skin moves its way up my arms to my neck, holding me in place as I revel in the feeling of kissing him.
I will never get tired of this sensation.
Disconnecting, I suck in a deep breath. Grayson grins boyishly, his hand stilling on the nape of my neck as he focuses entirely on me. “I love you too, Laynie.” He whispers, breath glazing my skin like a feather, “I’m in love with my best friend.”
My lips lift up at that, heart soaring beneath my ribs to the point of heating me all over as I lean over and peck his lips again. “My best friend is the love of my life,” I murmur back, skin tingling.
Grayson’s cheeks pinch tighter as he goes to kiss me a third time when I hear the familiar sound of tyres on gravel. Shuffling in the passenger seat, I clear my throat as Holden pulls up beside us.
“We should probably go inside now,” Grayson says, peering out the window again at the impending storm clouds. “It’s going to bucket down in a few minutes.”
“Holden will need some help too,” I remind him as his brother walks around the side of his ute. Seeing us inside, Holden gives us a double take. We take that as our cue to join the rest of the world once again.
Grabbing my bag and jacket, I open the passenger door and pull myself out of the seat when Grayson appears.
Helping me, he slams the door shut when Aspen rounds the back of the car in her little ballet outfit.
A light purple leotard, white tutu and stockings, my stomach flips at the adorable sight.
“I did the splits today!” she announces excitedly.
My grin grows as she jumps up and down. “That’s incredible. I wouldn’t be able to do that,” I tell her, matching her enthusiasm.
“With or without the baby?” I hear Grayson ask behind me.
I reach back and pinch him, gaining a chuckle and a swat at my hand.
Aspen frowns before taking my hand, leading me towards the porch. “Aunt Lay, I could teach you if you want to learn. It’s easy. You just stick your leg out and fall to the ground.”
A snicker escapes me. If only it were that simple. “Maybe another time.”
“Did you want to come with Gran and I to lock up the ducks and chickens?” Aspen asks, already forgetting about her dance class. “Otherwise the foxes will get them.”
“We can’t let that happen,” I agree, walking up the front steps and pushing open the door. Macie meets my eyes before smiling at Aspen.
“How was your ballet?” Macie asks, coming around the couch.
Leaning over, I awkwardly push my boots off, holding onto the wall for support as Aspen tells Macie all about her splits and twirls.
“Did you know that Aunt Lay’s cousin is a ballet teacher?” Macie cuts her off, bending to Aspens’ height as I hang my bag up on a hook. “She teaches at your dance school, too.”
Aspen frowns before shaking her head, looking my way. “My teacher is Ally,” Aspen informs us.
Smiling, I shake my head. “My cousin is Sadie. You know Sadie.”
Her eyes brighten at the name. Hazel scoops her up, a loud giggle cutting through the air as Aspen’s spun around. “I missed you today, monkey.”
“Gran, I did ballet!” Aspen squeals as Hazel gives her strawberries on her neck.
My cheeks hurt from smiling.
Macie faces me. “Just think,” she starts with a grin, “that’ll be Hazel with your kid.”
I know, and I can’t wait to see it.
“Speaking of,” Macie adds, walking back over to the couch. I follow, dropping down beside her. Grayson and Holden walk through the front door, laughing about something. “How did today go? Any improvement?”
Exhaling slowly, I give a small shake of my head. It’s enough of an answer for her. Macie pulls me into her arms, her warmth flooding me, honey scented soap meeting my nose as I nestle in her embrace. “I’m sorry, L.”
Swallowing, I nod. “It’s not anyone’s fault. As Fiona says, sometimes it just happens. Some babies don’t grow as much.”
“Did she say anything about the birth?"
“Yeah. She suggested inducing a few weeks early for the safety of the baby,” I mumble over the sound of Aspen’s giggles and Holden’s laughter. “It will need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks to be monitored closely, but if it’s the best thing for it, then we should do it.”
Macie nods her head against mine when Grayson comes into my line of sight.
Crouching in front of us, I wipe the rogue tear that’s threatening to spill down my cheek as he smiles slowly.
“I’m going to make everyone some spaghetti for dinner.
” My smile grows. “And if you’re feeling up to it, I think we should get some ice cream for dessert. ”
“Reid and I can run to the store to grab some while you cook, G,” Macie offers, letting me go and slipping off the couch as Reid comes into view, smiling her way.
“All right, but we’ll have to go now before the storm hits.”
My eyes gravitate towards the window, charcoal clouds spreading. Reid pulls Macie towards the door.
“Don’t be too long,” Hazel calls from the kitchen. “It’s going to be slippery.”
“We won’t!” Macie yells back, yanking on Reid’s jumper before trailing after him out the door.
Grayson holds out his hand, helping me to my feet as Hazel flutters her way over, scooping me up in a hug. “I’m glad you’re here tonight. Maybe message your mum and tell her that you’re going to stay. That way you won’t have to go out in the storm.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to call her. I should tell her about the appointment today.”
I meet Grayson’s concerned gaze as Hazel nods. “Good idea. I’m sure she’s excited to hear about it, honey. Grayson, do you want to make a start on dinner while I start the laundry?”
“Sure.”
Following after his mum, I grab a hold of his hand, halting his steps. Facing me, my cheeks pink with colour as I peer down at our hands. Tugging him closer, I throw my arms around his neck, my chin resting on his shoulder as I whisper against his ear, “I think I want to move in here.”
Grayson’s face rears back, eyes searching mine like he needs to check that he heard me right. “You want to live here? With me?”
I give a small giggle and nod. “I do,” I say quietly, tingling all over. It feels like the right decision. “I think the ranch will be the best place to raise a kid.”
He nods, hands holding mine before squeezing them, dimples showing in his cheeks. “I couldn’t agree more, Biscuit.”