by Elle Linder
“Will you keep your voice down!” she hissed. She eyed the open door and hurriedly closed it.
“Fucking hell,” he muttered, glaring at her. “What did you do after Bailey and I left last night? And don’t you lie to me, Tori. I’ll know if you are.”
Stupid tears stung behind her eyes. Why did her family think they could treat her like a child? Probably because she was acting like one.
“What I do is none of your business. You of all people should understand wanting to keep your private life… private. For almost an entire year, you and Bailey had been together. Now you’re engaged and having a baby. None of us knew a damn thing about it! You didn’t even trust me with your secret. Me! The one person who would always stand by your side no matter what!” She sniffled to keep back her tears from falling. “Do you know how much that hurts? So forgive me for not wanting to bare my soul to you, brother.”
“Shit, Tor, I’m sorry, honey. But what’s done is done for Bailey and me. I can’t change any of it. But you can trust me. I won’t rat you and Rex out. Assuming he’s who you were with last night.” Tanner exhaled a deep breath. “He is who you were with until after one in the morning, right? Dad’s pissed, Tor. He’s livid you won’t tell him who you were out with.”
“If you tell him, Tan, we’re done.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Do you really need me to spell it out for you? If you tell Mom and Dad I was with Rex, that you caught us kissing, I’ll never forgive you. We’ll only be brother and sister in name. Our special twin bond will be severed permanently.”
“Aw, shit.” He gripped the back of his neck. “That isn’t fair. I’m just trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection. I need you to support me.”
Tanner stilled as he considered her.
“He won’t hurt me, Tanner. Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll continue seeing him. I don’t need this kind of drama in my life.” She plopped onto her bed.
Tanner sat beside her. “Good. Then just stop this before you’re in too deep.”
She already was in too deep.
“You’ll keep this between us?”
Tanner sighed, dropping his head. “If he does anything to hurt you, I will.”
“Stop.” She raised her hand up. “You won’t lay a finger on him. Promise me.”
She knew she was asking a lot of Tanner, but he’d never let her down before. She prayed he wouldn’t this time either.
“I promise.” He reeled her into one of his bear hugs. “I promise I’ll keep your secret, but you need to promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I need to know if you’re going to continue to see him. Because, Tor, the truth will come out. I can’t guarantee Dad won’t lose his shit. Someone other than you needs to be in the know to help buffer his explosion.”
Tori gulped at her brother’s words. Would her father really go after Rex? What had happened between them all those years ago? Her dad had never given them all the details, but then Rex hadn’t either when she asked him about it last night.
“Fine. I promise to keep you in the loop. Truthfully, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I like him… a lot.”
“Shit,” Tanner muttered. “I was afraid of that.”
Tori popped her shoulders and rested her head on his shoulder. “You won’t tell?”
“I won’t tell. If you go down, I’m going down with you, sis.” He kissed her head.
“Thank you.” She exhaled as relief, though likely temporary, swept over her.
Sunday dinner would be uncomfortable with the thick layer of tension Tori was sure would be radiating off her dad.
Six
HAVING DAWSON AND Piper at the dinner table was a godsend. They were both clueless about the goings-on as of last night and earlier today. Sure, Piper had known there was someone in Tori’s life—she might have even had an idea of who—but his name had remained a secret. If it weren’t for her brother and Piper acting normal, dinner would have been a hell of a lot more awkward.
A couple of times Bailey smiled sympathetically, which eased Tori’s mind. She never meant to offend Tanner or Bailey, but the pressure from her parents rattled her terribly. Usually, Tori was the peacekeeper and nonconfrontational. She didn’t do well with drama. But earlier her mouth had run away with her and she’d angered Tanner. Boy, was she glad they made up, or she might break altogether.
“Tor... Hey, Tor…”
She lifted her head and turned toward Dylan’s voice. “What?”
“The rolls.” He pointed at the basket in front of her plate. “Can you toss me one?”
Her gaze rounded the table. Every pair of eyes were on her. She so didn’t need this.
“Sorry.” She flung a dinner roll at Dylan without thinking. Mama’s soft gasp made Tori cringe. “Sorry, Mama.”
It was then that Dawson appeared to be studying her. The questioning in his dark eyes told her he’d be cornering her later. She didn’t want to be around for it.
“How’ve you been feeling, Bailey?” Mama asked.
Tori appreciated her mama trying to get the attention off her, but it didn’t appear to make a difference as her dad and brothers kept glancing at her. Plus, it’d only been two days since Tanner and Bailey announced they were having a baby. How much could have changed in that short amount of time?
“Morning sickness is my biggest issue.”
“Keep a sleeve of saltines on your nightstand. I used to eat several in the morning before rolling out of bed. Conway hated it.”
“I didn’t hate it,” he said in an annoyed tone. “I knew your stomach was queasy every morning. I just didn’t like the crumbs in the bed.”
Everyone looked at Conway with raised eyebrows. Tori instantly felt guilty. Her father’s unpleasant mood was her fault.
“Well, I don’t want crumbs in the bed either. Got any other ideas for Bailey’s stomach?” Tanner asked. Like Mama, he was trying to divert the attention away from Tori by controlling the conversation.
“Hmm, ginger tea may help. It’s been so long. I was the sickest with the twins.” Mama gasped. “Maybe⸺”
“Dear God, no!” Tanner exclaimed, leaning forward in his chair. “Don’t say it or think it.”
“Think what?” Bailey asked, totally oblivious to Tanner’s fears.
With their special twin bond, Tori and Tanner often knew what the other was thinking. Their wires may have been crossed lately, but this time, she knew why Tanner was freaking out. It was as if Mama had put a hex on him and Bailey just by thinking they could be having twins.
“Just forget you heard anything, sweetheart.” Tanner kissed Bailey’s temple. It warmed Tori’s heart to see him in love. It was all she had ever wanted for her brother—all her brothers.
She glanced at Dylan, who continued chowing down on dinner. He hid it well, but she had an inkling his feelings for his best friend, Sofie, ran deeper than what he let on.
“Oh please, as if my thinking it or saying it out loud will make it so.” Mama brushed Tanner off. “Twins. That’s all I was thinking.”
Bailey’s face paled. “Tw… twins?”
He scowled at Mama. “Now look what you did. Don’t worry, Bay. You’re not having twins,” Tanner assured in a calm voice, wrapping his arm around her. Everyone stared in awe as he cuddled Bailey close. Cuddle was not a word Tori would use with Tanner in the same sentence. He wasn’t the typical, doting boyfriend—or, as of a few days ago, fiancé. Watching him comfort Bailey was a sight to behold.
She inhaled a shuddering breath. “How… How do you… Do you know?”
“I just know.”
“But… how?” The poor thing looked seconds away from a full-blown panic attack. But at least the attention was off of Tori, and that was a win… at Bailey’s expense.
“Shh, just don’t worry, Bay,” Tanner whispered, though not low enough. Tori loved hearing him talk tenderly to Bailey.
&nb
sp; “How about dessert? I made a carrot cake,” Mama offered. Her dessert was always a mood lifter.
Dylan was on his feet, clearing the table. Tori followed suit with the thought of ducking out while everyone lingered at the dining table. She had no clue what she’d do. Leave the house? And go where? Two of her friends were in the dining room. Maybe she could send out an SOS text to Zoey.
Tori scraped the leftover food off the plates into a small bucket Mama had under the kitchen sink. Later this evening, Dad would toss the scraps out to the pig—Bacon, as Tori called all the feeder pigs they raised for slaughter. The Harts raised and butchered all their own meat, but bacon was Tori’s favorite. It was the perfect companion for eggs over medium and buttermilk pancakes doused in maple syrup.
Rather than joining the others, Tori rinsed the plates and loaded the dishwasher. Mama kept eyeing her but said nothing, thankfully.
What Tori wished for more than anything was to see Rex, even after everything that had gone down at home. But just showing up would be in bad taste. There was also Lyla to consider, and the little girl didn’t know about Tori and her father.
More importantly, Rex and Tori hadn’t talked about seeing each other again or the logistics of it. She’d deflected any time she felt Rex might ask when he’d see her next. She was worried someone would catch them in public together, and it would get back to her dad.
And she knew Rex didn’t want to keep secrets.
Tori scrubbed the counters clean, grumbling and growling.
She didn’t like chaos or tension. She didn’t even feel comfortable in her own home. All because the man she wanted to be with more than anything was the very person who might give her father a heart attack.
It was ridiculous. Wasn’t it?
The way Tanner had already acted was only a sampling of how the rest of the family would feel once they learned the truth.
Her stomach suddenly felt queasy.
“Are you joining us?”
Tori looked sidelong at her mama and placed the dishrag in the sink. “I don’t think so.”
“Tori⸺”
“No, Mama. Please… It’s too stressful in there. All the weird looks and Dad’s bad mood.”
“All created by the secrets you’re keeping, hon. You’ve never lied to us before.”
Tori gasped. “I’m not lying!”
“Aren’t you though?” Her mama cupped her elbow and turned Tori to face her. They stared into each other’s eyes, which were identical in shape and color. “If he’s so bad, my love, why are you with him?”
Tori’s heart seized, the pain so great tears pooled in her eyes. She wanted to shout out all the wonderful qualities she’d observed in Rex. His gentle touch with Lyla and his love for his horses. How he was both father and mother to his daughter, doing parenthood all on his own without complaint.
But mostly, she wanted to tell her mama how sweet and loving he treated her and how happy he made her.
Of course she couldn’t tell her mama any of it. Because the Harts didn’t like Rexford Knolls, aka The Land Thief.
“He’s not bad. He’s wonderful.” And much older, but his age didn’t bother her. The silvery-gray in his beard and temples was sexy.
“Then I don’t see the problem. If he’s good to you, that’s all that matters to us. You know this, Tori.”
“Do I? How many guys have Tanner and Dylan run off over the years? When I was in college, their surprise visits or yours and Dad’s weren’t really about seeing me; they were to intimidate any guy who might be interested in me.”
“I tried to stop them.” Her brows pinched together, and her eyes filled with remorse. “Your brothers and dad love you dearly. They just want to protect you.”
“But I don’t need protection! I’m a grown woman.”
“Elise?” The deep timbre of her dad’s voice made her snap her mouth shut. “The cake.”
Mama didn’t take her eyes off Tori. “Be there in a sec.”
Her dad grunted and was gone.
“You can trust us… trust me.” She kissed Tori on the cheek, then returned to the dining room.
Tori quickly finished her task of cleaning the kitchen, started the dishwasher, and scurried out of the kitchen before anyone else might try to coax her to rejoin the family gathering.
Before she knew it, she was in her car, taking the back roads into town. It was dark, just after seven in the evening. The autumn air was brisk, so taking a walk wouldn’t be ideal, nor would sitting on a park bench. Instead, Tori parked under a lamppost, turned on her favorite country station, and reclined her chair.
She exhaled a deep breath and let her mind wander.
What was Rex doing right now?
Rex went through Lyla’s bedtime routine on autopilot. It hadn’t changed since she was potty trained for the second time. Rex could do it in his sleep if needed.
Night light on—check.
Closet door closed—check.
Stuffed pony tucked into her right side and pink unicorn tucked into her left. Check. Check.
Bedroom floor free of any toys that might make Lyla stumble and fall in the middle of the night, should she leave her bed—check.
Finally, his smiling sweetpea was gazing up at him. He placed a kiss on her forehead and inhaled her baby wash. He imagined she’d outgrow the children’s products he bought soon. It would be a sad day.
“All comfy?”
“Yeah.”
“Need to potty one last time?”
“Nope.”
A small smile curled in the corner of his lips. “Love you, sweetpea.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “To the moon…”
“And back!” She finished his sentence with zeal. It was a little thing they did every night. He wanted Lyla to know in no uncertain terms he would never stop loving her. “Tomorrow, can I take Miss Hart the new pumpkin we carved? I want to give it to her. She likes Halloween and candy corn. Do we have candy corn?”
Hearing Tori’s name was like a punch in the gut. Rex dreaded seeing her tomorrow and had considered letting Lyla go into the school by herself. But if she took a pumpkin to Tori, he’d need to carry it, as it was bigger than Lyla’s head.
“Sorry, no candy corn.”
Lyla pouted momentarily, then smiled. “It’s okay. You can buy some.”
He chuckled. “I suppose I can. But I don’t think you should take Miss Hart the pumpkin. What if the other kids get jealous?”
Lyla huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Too bad, so sad.”
Mercy, where did she come up with this stuff? “We’ll discuss it in the morning.” He kissed her forehead again.
“Why?”
“Because it’s late.”
“But I want to give it to Miss Hart. I love her.”
His chest tightened. “I know you do.”
“And she’s pretty and nice and sings really, really good. Please, Daddy.”
God, this child. No way could he tell her no. “Yes, sweetness. You can give Miss Hart the pumpkin.” What on Earth would he do when she was a teenager begging for a car? He couldn’t think about that now. Any thought that led to Lyla growing up and leaving depressed the hell out of Rex.
“Yay!” She wiggled in her bed, kissing her pony and unicorn. “You da best daddy ever!”
He sure didn’t feel like the best, but he appreciated her saying so. “And you’re the best daughter ever. Good night, sweetpea.” He tapped the end of her nose and made his way to the door.
“Nighty, nighty,” she sang like she did every night.
Rex slowly closed the door, leaving a three-inch gap so he could hear Lyla should she call for him.
He dragged his weary self through the house, tidying it up as he went. The place was awfully quiet and lonely once his exuberant daughter went to bed. He could watch football highlights or a cooking show, but neither appealed to him tonight.
In the kitchen, he poured himself a mug of coffee and leaned against the counter.
; She hadn’t texted him back.
Was she busy today? Too busy for a five-second reply? Or had she changed her mind about him? The age difference might have scared her off. Or perhaps she didn’t like the way he kissed. Although the attraction he felt to her seemed to be reciprocated. But what did he know—it’d been years since he kissed a woman. He could be off his game.
He took his mug into the den, avoiding the sofa where he’d spent a couple of hours making out with Tori and sat on his favorite leather chair.
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered to himself. “You’re turning forty-one in a few months. You’re a mature man. Just call her. You know you want to…”
Tori wouldn’t have given him her number if she didn’t want him to use it, right?
But would she take his call if she hadn’t replied to his texts?
There was only one way to find out. If it went to voicemail, he would take it as a sign she wasn’t interested in him anymore.
Rex pushed the call button, and it rang and rang and rang. He gritted his teeth as disappointment flooded his veins.
“Hello.”
He perked up in the chair at the sound of her voice. “Hi. How are you?”
“Doin’ all right. How about you?” She sounded nervous. Maybe she didn’t realize it was him.
“It’s Rex, Rex Knolls.”
A soft laugh filled his ears. “I know who you are. How are you, Rex?”
“I’m better now.”
“Why, what happened? Is everything okay?” Her concern made him smile. “Is it Lyla?”
“Lyla’s perfect.”
She exhaled as if relieved. “Oh good… Then did something else happen?”
“Yes. You ghosted me today. I think that’s the term…” Wasn’t that the word teens and young adults used these days when they avoided a person?
Tori giggled. “I wasn’t ghosting you. I just… well, I…” She sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your texts.”
“Why didn’t you? Are you having second thoughts about me?” Shit, he felt like an insecure teenager.
“No! I mean… I don’t know.”
“Tori, what’s going on? After last night, I thought you wanted to continue what we’d started.”