"I didn't actually think you were here by the way you took off. Ma sent me over to grab the rolls for dinner."
"I did leave for a bit."
He grabbed her hand and led her to the couch. "Sit down and tell me about it."
The tears started unchecked again. "I went to tell my baby's father about her, just to find out that he's engaged to someone else."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "I'm sorry, sis. Really."
"He was my mate, Drake. How do I handle this?"
"You're tough. You're strong. And you're going to be an amazing mother. Everything else is just details."
She pushed on him. "Is that what you would have wanted me to say to you if Joey had turned you down cold?"
"Hell, no," he answered. "But that's different."
Sarah frowned. "How is it different?"
"Because I'm much more delicate than you are."
She giggled without meaning to. "You're such an ass."
"And I'd rather see you laugh than cry." He kissed the side of her head. "Really, Sar, let him go. You haven't seen him for a long time anyways, just put it out of your mind that you went to try and talk to him."
She sniffed. "I'll try. It just didn't exactly go the way I thought it was going to."
"Who is he?"
She gave him a sharp glance. "Really? You think I'm going to tell you now that I know he's permanently out of the picture?"
He cracked a grin. "Hey, I had to try."
"Knowing you, you'd take the others and go beat his ass."
Drake gave a shrug. "Maybe. That's what over-protective brothers do."
She stood and stretched her back. "This belly is going to kill me."
"You look kinda cute."
Sarah rolled her eyes at him. "I don't think I can handle this much nice-brother."
"Just point me in the way of the rolls, and I'll be out of your hair."
They moved to the bakery side. "How many do you need?"
"Give me some extra. We have a guest checking in this afternoon, and Ma has no idea if she was bringing a plus one or two or more."
"Who is she?"
"I don't know. Ma said she rented a cabin for two weeks because she wanted a little rest and relaxation. You know we don't push for too many details."
Sarah snorted. "The last time we had a female do that, Colton ended up marrying her." Their oldest brother had fallen head over heels in love with Ellie, a television star wanting to escape the limelight of the paparazzi.
"Don't look at me," Drake replied with a grin. "I'm already married."
She let out a deep breath. "Thanks for always being there for me, Drake. It really means a lot."
