Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Katy took my hand. “I’ll talk to her.”
I shook my head. “Until she’s ready, nothing is going to change. She’s too much like me. But I hate seeing her upset. It’s not good for her or the baby.”
“I know,” she murmured.
I watched Gracie disappear around the corner, my heart aching from the fact that she never once stopped or turned around. It felt as if a piece of me was breaking.
The thought of that brief encounter made me restless, and I took off running. Maddox fell into step with me, and we headed toward the gate and the stretch of road leading into the complex. We ran in silence, turning after a while and heading back. The sun was higher in the sky, the houses mostly still asleep as we headed toward the Hub. Inside, we used the Nespresso machine and made a cup of coffee, sitting at the table.
“You need to fix this, Richard,” Maddox said after a moment.
“Tell me how. She refuses to talk to me. I can’t force her—she’s a grown woman.”
“She’s your daughter. Pull rank. Sit her down and make her listen.”
“Pull rank?” I repeated with a dry laugh.
“You’re her father. Exert your power and force her to see sense.”
I snorted. “Have you met Jaxson? If I tried to do anything, he’ll rearrange my face.”
“Well, it’s not as if you haven’t slugged him a few times. He probably owes you.”
A smile pulled at my mouth. When I’d discovered that Grace and Jaxson had secretly been married, my fist had indeed met Jaxson’s jaw—more than once.
“She’s pregnant,” I said. “I can’t upset her further.”
Maddox whistled. “Dee was right on that score. She said Gracie was overly emotional and wondered if there was a reason—aside from the whole addition to the family situation.”
I drained my coffee and made another cup for each of us. I sat down, sipping the dark brew. “It’s an odd sensation.”
“The new daughter thing?”
“Well, that, yes. But the way the kids have reacted in different ways. Heather is accepting, almost excited about having a new sister. Penny seems fine, although a bit more reserved. Gavin had questions but seems almost indifferent. Matthew was concerned but not upset. He’s asked a lot of questions about Ashley—most of which I can’t answer. Then there’s Gracie.” I shook my head. “Explosive and angry.”
“She’ll come around. The two of you share an incredible bond. This has thrown her.” He lifted his cup. “Maybe she’s worried Ashley will usurp her place.”
“Her place?” I repeated.
“She’s always been your first. Maybe she feels as if she’s been replaced.”
I gaped at him. “She knows better than that.”
Maddox lifted his eyebrows in question.
“She’s a woman, Richard. Pregnant.” He paused and took another sip, letting those words sink in. “Does she?”
I stepped from the shower and towel-dried my hair. My conversation with Maddox kept playing through my mind. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt, heading downstairs. I could hear voices, one male, and I wondered who had dropped over.
In the kitchen, I found Jaxson and Kylie sitting with Katy. Kylie’s face broke into a smile, and she lifted her arms.
“Up, up,” she demanded, and I lifted her, kissing her cheek.
I met Jaxson’s intense gaze, frowning.
“Where’s Gracie?”
“At the house.”
Katy stood and took Kylie. “Come with Grams, sweet girl. She has something to show you.”
I turned to Jaxson. “Is she all right?”
He stood, glowering. “Listen to me, VanRyan, and listen good.”
I blinked at his hostile tone. Once we’d gotten past the punching and arguing, Jaxson and I got along well. We bantered and argued, but it was just our thing. Grace said it was because we were so similar. I thought it was because he was so bloody stubborn.
But this was different. He was furious.
“Go ahead.”
“This ends today. You and Gracie need to talk.” He held up his hand before I could argue. “I don’t give a shit if she’s angry and you’re hurt. You are going to be the big man here and go to her.” He curled his fingers around the top of the chair so hard, his knuckles turned white. “My pregnant wife is upset. It is not good for her or the baby. I’m not going to let your wandering dick be the cause of her unhappiness.”
“Hey—” I protested, but he cut me off.
“If you don’t clear the air with Gracie, we’re leaving.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’m taking her and Kylie away on an extended trip.”
“To where?”
“To wherever you are not,” he said bluntly. “She is my priority. If she doesn’t have to see you every day, she can move past this. I will do whatever I have to in order to protect her and my children.”
“Don’t take her and Kylie from Katy,” I said. “I’ll go back to BC. Or fly to Penny early.”
He shook his head. “You heard me. Your daughter is eating herself up with guilt over your fight. She’s upset and scared.” He slammed his hand on the table. “It’s been days, Richard. Days. I’ve never seen her like this. And I can’t fix this. Only you can. Now, you go and talk to her. Help her, Richard.” He suddenly bowed his head with a long sigh. When he lifted his head, he met my eyes, his voice sad and calm. “She needs you. And I need her back.”