Page 102 of Line Change

I tell her the short version of events, mainly about Sutton’s father threatening to come after the family farm, leaving out the threats he made against me and my teammates. No need to worry her more.

“If someone came and offered me a pretty penny for it, I’d probably sell. That would solve all our problems.”

I sigh. Leave it to her to joke about this.

“Mum. We talked about this. No selling.”

“I know. I know. But I doubt it’ll happen, so no need to worry about it.”

“But I am worried. He might, I don’t know, buy the bank and call in the mortgage. Who knows. The man is extremely wealthy. He’ll do whatever he thinks he has to to get what he wants.”

“I’d like to see him try,” she says.

I frown. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“I am, but you can’t lose sleep over the things that might happen.” I get what she’s saying, but I don’t want her to let her guard down because who knows what Sutton’s father might do.

“Well, you tell me if someone comes snooping around or something else fishy happens?”

“I will. I will. The neighbor down the road came to talk to me yesterday …”

That has me sitting up straight. “The same one who wanted to buy one of the fields?”

“Yes, but this time he was asking about the back acreage, the land that butts up to his.”

“And?” I shift on the couch as Bert jumps up and settles next to me. I absentmindedly run a hand down his back.

“He wants to lease it for the season. I know you’re against selling, but—”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

“Really?”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “Yep.”

“Good, because I already said yes,” she says, and I bite back a groan. Why am I not surprised?

Well, it’s now or never. “I have something to tell you …”

“What is it, Bash?” she asks, sounding concerned. “What’s going on?”

I take a few deep breaths, hoping that she doesn’t freak the fuck out when I tell her. I know I should have told her sooner but I didn’t. Hopefully she’s so excited that I’m married and having a baby that she doesn’t freak out.

“It’s Sutton …”

“Is she alright? She’s not hurt or sick, is she?”

“No, she’s fine, Mum. I love her, and—”

“I know.” That has me rearing back. Seriously?

“You know?”

“I could tell the second you two got on the call. It’s the same way your father looked at me and how Harriet’s husband looks at her.” She sighs. “I’m happy for you.”

Well, okay then.

“Good, because we got married.”