Once he knew the truth, he understood why I wanted to leave McBride Mountain, but now, seeing these people, watching the way they came together for Willow, I can’t imagine walking away. I can’t imagine going beyond McBride Mountain and being able to find anything even a fraction as good as this.
Because it doesn’t exist anywhere but here.
Liam dips his head to search my gaze. “If you’re sure you want to stay…”
I nod. “I am.”
The constant unease I’ve lived with for months still buzzes under the surface of my skin like an entire hive of bees, but having the McBrides here, watching my back, keeps them at bay, prevents them from bursting free and causing a violent sting.
Raven approaches holding Niall and hands him off to me hurriedly, her smile somewhat forced, her eyes darting toward the rear exit of the store. “I…have to go take care of something for a few minutes. Watch him and the register. I’ll be back.”
Liam tosses her a look as she bolts out the back door, but my focus is on the little one in my arms. Niall reaches up and pulls on a strand of my hair, clutching it in his tiny fist and tugging on it.
“Oh, there’s my smart, inquisitive boy!” I bounce him gently, trying to keep him entertained while his mom is busy schmoozing with friends and potential customers. “Are you having a good time seeing everyone? It’s soooo exciting, isn’t it?”
He smiles and coos at me, more interested in the vibrant blue of my hair than what I’m saying to him.
Liam stalks to the other side of the shop and leans in to whisper something to Killian, whose gaze cuts over to me. He offers me a tight smile that I know I shouldn’t take any offense to despite how cold he looks.
Killian’s a protector—the type of man who was willing to kill Earl Byers when he found out what he did to Willow—and when he learned what happened to me, what I was facing, it kicked him back into that mode.
He doesn’t like me being here any more than Liam does and would much rather have preferred I had stayed in the safety of the homestead.
But I can’t abandon my only real friend on her big day.
And it’s his wife.
He wants her to be happy.
Having me here makes her happy, so he wouldn’t deny her that, even if it means spending the day being constantly on guard.
I walk to the register with Niall to be prepared to check out any customers as he continues to play with my hair. People come and go, purchasing product and saying hello to me and the baby.
A few express surprise that I’m still in town since I’ve been hiding out in here with the windows covered, or up at the McBrides’ without real contact from anyone else for the past several weeks—very intentionally.
The seclusion was as freeing as it was stifling.
I thought I would be good today, but after that much time, being in such a tight space packed with so many noisy and nosy people is enough to make me happy I have Niall in my arms to distract me from my rising anxiety.
Elaine approaches and offers me a one-armed hug around the baby. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
I smile at her, genuinely happy to see the woman who truly made me stay in McBride Mountain and who made everything I have with Liam possible. “I didn’t know you’d come, either. What about the diner?”
She waves a dismissive hand. “I closed for an hour so I could come over. I figured everyone would be here, anyway.”
I glance around the packed space. “You’re not wrong.”
“And how are you doing? I miss having you around.”
Laughing, I shake my head, which only makes Niall tighten his fists on my hair tighter and tug. “No, you don’t.”
She pats me on the arm. “Well, my new waitress is a little steadier on her feet, but I liked talking to you. Come by and have a cup of coffee with me soon. Please.”
I nod. “I will.”
And I hope that’s true.
I hope I can.
