“Thank you, Cass.” Alex’s voice is sharp, which hurts.

  Jessica comes to me and takes my hand. “Thank you so much for taking care of my daughter. I hope you’ll help me get to know her now that I’m back.”

  “Of course,” I nod, blinking up to her eyes before turning quickly.

  I need to get out of here. I’m not strong enough for this.

  Pushing through the door, I jog up the stairs, not stopping until I burst through my door. The window unit is on, so no one will hear the quiet whimpers huffing in my chest as I fight against crying.

  I have no right to cry. Pinky is her child, and she deserves to know her daughter. It’s the best thing for Pinky, and I’ll do what I can to help her know her mother.

  Taking off my clothes, I go through the motions of getting ready for bed. Pain pulses through my chest with every heartbeat, but I’m not doing this.

  I’m an adult. Playtime is over.

  Still, when I curl under the blankets in my bed, I do my best to stay awake, waiting to see if he’ll come to me.

  Closing my eyes, I think the words as hard as I can, Come to me… come to me… as I close my eyes, tucking my hand wearing his ring under my chin.

  But I fall asleep alone, and no one comes.

  CHAPTER 23

  ALEX

  “Jessica’s in town.” I’m standing in my brother’s office, tension radiating through my shoulders.

  I spent the better part of the night googling what to do when an estranged parent returns. I read several articles and even a how-to, but none of them were what I needed. What I need is something to tell me if this woman is going to leave in a week, right after we tell Pinky she’s her mother.

  Predicting female behavior has never been my strong suit, and by 7:00 a.m., I couldn’t stay in the house any longer. I went out to the garage, hesitating as I glanced up to where Cass would be sleeping.

  Deciding I couldn’t drag her into this until I had a plan, I headed to town.

  “What the hell?” Aiden’s blue eyes flash, and I appreciate his grumpy response. “What does she want? Money?”

  Aiden’s solid as a rock, and he dealt with his own personal crises after his wife died, then finding out she’d cheated. It shook him to the core, but it gave us something in common. Neither of us has been very interested in starting relationships.

  Until Britt came along.

  And now Cass.

  “I don’t think so.” Exhaling, I step to the window, looking out at the gazebo in the town square. “She showed up last night, and Doug was kind enough to tell her I was at El Rio with Cass and Pinky.”

  “Wow.” He rises from his chair. “For a guy who always has a plan, you sure are full of surprises. What does Cass think?”

  It’s a question I’ve been avoiding for twelve hours. “I don’t know.”

  “You haven’t talked to her about it?” The astonishment in his voice makes me wince.

  “I don’t know what to tell her.” Scrubbing the back of my neck, I turn to face him. “I don’t know what to tell Penelope. Jessica’s a flight risk, and the last thing I want is for her to swoop in, do a lot of shit, and then hurt my daughter.”

  “This is why you should’ve had lawyers from the start. If you had full parental rights, you wouldn’t have to worry about her reappearing and fucking up your life.”

  Growling, I shake my head. “I don’t want to take away her rights. Pinky’s her daughter. I just figured we’d deal with this later on, when she was older.”

  Pausing, I take a beat. I put my hands on my hips and look down at my Italian leather loafers and inhale slowly, doing my best to get my head around this.

  The one time I didn’t plan things. The one time I was reckless, I slept with a woman I didn’t know, and now I’m here, with a daughter I’m prepared to commit murder to protect and a woman who doesn’t understand her power to hurt my child.

  I glance up at Aiden. “I’m sorry. I usually talk to Mom when things come up with P.”

  “I’d talk to Cass. If she’s going to be your wife, she needs to be a part of this.”

  “Yeah.” He has no idea it’s all fake.

  Granted, things between Cass and me had started to feel more serious lately, more like it could turn into something… Now I’m facing baby-mama drama, and I wouldn’t blame her if she’s running for the door.

  “I’ll talk to Cass, but I have to make a plan for Pinky first. I won’t let Jessica hurt her.”

  “I don’t think you have a choice. She has a right to see her child. Where’s she staying?” His blue eyes fix on mine, and he straightens. “Shit. She’s in your house?”

  “Don’t look at me like that. You know there’s nowhere to stay in Eureka.”

  “So she’s in the house with Cass? This is going to blow up.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate the support.” Sarcasm is thick in my tone.

  “Look, I’m here for you.” He walks over and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Tell me what you need me to do, and I’ll do it.”

  Exhaling heavily, I shake my head. “I just needed a sounding board. I’ll figure it out.”

  It’s what I do. I’m always in control. I make decisions, and I plan for everything. It’s how I turned Stone Cold into a top bourbon brand. Problems arise, and I solve them.

  “You’re welcome at our place if you need someone to run interference. I’m grilling burgers tonight. Bring the gang over for dinner around six.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll see you then.” Now I’d better get home. When I left no one was up, but I’m sure that’s changed.

  Hustling out to my car, of course I run into Drake Redford, gloatey as ever.

  “The people have spoken,” he brags. “Eureka is ready to be developed.”

  I don’t have time for this. “Curiosity isn’t the same as interest.”

  “I’m really surprised by you, Stone.” He steps closer as if he thinks he’ll intimidate me. “Redford Park would benefit the distillery more than anyone. Hell, it would be the main attraction.”

  “The distillery doesn’t need your help.”

  “Maybe not, but the young entrepreneurs in Eureka are hungry. You can’t be the only big fish in this little pond.”

  He’s such an asshole.

  “I welcome the growth of business in Eureka, Drake.” I take a step closer, pleased to be a few inches taller than him. “What I don’t welcome is opportunists like you coming in trying to ruin the scenery and split our community so you can make off with a fortune.”

  His eyes narrow, and he takes a step back, making our height difference less obvious. “If it’s not me, it’ll be somebody else. At least I’m the devil you know.”

  “That should be your slogan. See how many people jump onboard with that approach.”

  “You listen to me, Alex Stone, just because your family owns the town, doesn’t mean your word is law.” His nostrils flare, and this jerk has no idea how willing I’d be to punch his lights out right now.

  As it is, “My brother the sheriff is right inside the courthouse if you’d like to file a complaint. In the meantime, I’ve got shit to do.”

  “Shit like Cass Dixon?”

  My hand shoots out faster than I can stop it, grabbing him by the front of his shirt. “Insult my wife one more time, Redford…”

  He holds up both hands, exhaling an arrogant laugh. “My bad. Just trying to figure out what you see in her. She never really did it for me.”

  “From what I hear, you never did it for her either.” Releasing his shirt, I give him a little shove. “Stay away from Cass.”

  I’m halfway home when I realize what I said.

  CHAPTER 24

  CASS

  “So our favorite breakfast is scrambled-egg tacos with fresh guac, sour cream, and salsa.” I’m standing at the cooktop with Jessica, holding a bowl of beaten eggs.

  “Mm, that sounds good. You think it’s safe for her to be right there?” Jessica tilts her head to where Pinky is on the step-ladder in her pink apron.

  “I hold the tacos!” She lifts a platter of hard shells.

  “We’re not cooking with grease, so there’s no danger of splatter.” I look at where she’s standing, more over the counter than the stove. “She likes to be a part of the process.”

  “On Sundays, Daddy and I make penny cakes with maple syrup and powdered sugar!”

  “That sounds healthy.” Jessica laughs sarcastically, and I bite my lip.

  “Why don’t you take over here?” I pass the egg bowl to Jessica along with the spatula. “This part’s easy, and P can help you.”

  “I’m the best helper,” Pinky informs her, nodding.

  “Okay…” Jessica seems nervous, but I give her a reassuring smile.

  “You got this.”

  Walking to the bar, I set out three napkins and forks. Alex’s car was gone when I emerged from my apartment at eight, and my heart sank. It’s not like him to leave before I’m in the kitchen, but I guess if Jessica is here, Pinky’s not alone in the house.

  I don’t know when he plans to talk to me about what’s happening or how it changes things—if it does change things.

  Of course, it changes things.

  “You need to stir them more,” Pinky instructs, pointing to the frying pan. “They’ll stick.”

  “This isn’t the first time I’ve made scrambled eggs.” Jessica’s tone isn’t quite defensive, but it isn’t entirely friendly either.

  As always, Pinky is undeterred by anyone’s tone. I don’t say a word. I’m doing my best to let them get to know each other and stay out of the way.

  “I think these are ready!” Jessica’s tone is bright, and she takes the pan off the stove, shutting off the fire.

  “You didn’t add the cheese!” Pinky turns worried eyes to me. “She didn’t add the cheese, Ma… MC!”

  My lip is going to be destroyed with how much I’m chewing it. Thank God we had our Mama Cass chat last night, as painful as it was.

  “That’s okay!” Returning to them, I put my hand on Pinky’s back. “The cheese can be added once they’re in the shells.”

  “But that’s not how we do it!” My little friend is adamant.

  “I don’t think it’s really that big of a deal.” Jessica’s eyes are wide, and she laughs like this is so ridiculous.

  It is ridiculous, of course, but we’re dealing with a perfectionist almost five-year-old Leo.

  “Hey.” I bend down beside Pinky’s ear. “Jessica is our guest. Let’s be nice, okay?”

  Pinky’s tone is quietly urgent. “But she’s not doing it like you do!”

  “That’s because she’s not me.” I give her chin a boop and pass Jessica the pouch of shredded cheese. “Ready to cheese it?”

  “Sounds like I’d better be.” I can’t tell if she’s offended, but I’m holding my smile.

  My cheeks ache as bad as my chest does when Alex finally appears in the kitchen. “Looks like you guys are having fun. Breakfast tacos?”

  He has no idea.

  “Daddy!” Pinky jumps up and down holding her arms out, something she never does when it’s just the three of us.

  He steps over and lifts her onto his hip. “How’s it going, Sweet P?”

  “We tried to make the eggs, but Jessica forgot the cheese.” She shakes her head sadly. “I don’t know how they’re going to taste.”

  Jessica’s jaw drops, and I jump in fast. “They’re going to taste the same as always, because we added the cheese while the eggs were still hot!”

  “Good save.” Alex gives me a brief smile. “Thanks.”

  My jaw tightens, and I go to the bar. “I only put out three place settings. We can move this to the table and all eat together.”

  “I’m good,” he says, placing Pinky in her stool at the bar beside me. “If you’ve got this under control, I’ve got to take care of a few things at the distillery. Then Aiden invited us all to dinner.”

  “Hooray!” Pinky pumps her little arms over her head.

  “Your brother Aiden?” Jessica’s voice is tentative. “The sheriff?”

  “The one and only.” Alex turns, going to the coffee pot and fixing a to-go mug. “I’ll be back in time for us to ride over together.”

  My eyes widen slightly, and I’m ready to pinch him. Is he actually leaving like this without even talking to me? “You’re going to work?”

  “It’s the end of the week. I have to take care of orders. Looks like you’re all good here?”

  “Are we… saying anything?” I nod towards Pinky, and his eyes go to Jessica.

  “I think we can give it a few days, yes?” His tone is more of an order than a question, and Jessica immediately concedes.

  “Yes! Of course.” She walks up to where I’m standing. “We’ll keep getting to know each other. It’s all going to be fine.”

  I’m not so sure about that.

  Pinky’s busy filling her taco shell with eggs, guacamole, and salsa, completely oblivious to the tense adults around her.

  A loud crunch breaks the spell, and I see a big blob of salsa dangling precariously off the edge of her taco over the front of her white dress.

  “Whoa, easy there!” I grab a napkin to catch it at the same time as Jessica.

  “I can do it.” She goes for the blob, but our hands clash as I scoop it away.

  “Looks like I’m in the way here.” Alex steps back, going to the door and pulling it open. “Y’all have fun, and I’ll see you this evening.”

  I’m going to murder him.

  “Where’s Adam?” We’re back at the ball park, only today Pinky’s uncle isn’t standing on the pitcher’s mound.

  Today Ryan is pitching, and a new kid I don’t know is on first. Owen is on third, and our usual catcher is behind the plate.

  “They needed help at the Seamen’s Center in Kiawah, so he drove over early.” Piper stands beside me at the fence watching the kids. “I’ve got Owen today.”

  “Don’t you need to work?” I look over at where the boys are setting up the tee for Crimson.

  “I can take a day off. Not much breaking news other than Redford Park, which seems to be splitting the town between the old-timers and the newcomers. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out once Patricia gets back from Italy.”

  “I’ve got some breaking news.” Stepping to the side, I gesture between my friend and the newcomer. “Piper Jackson, meet Jessica Meade.”

  Jessica steps forward. “Nice to meet you, Piper.”

  “Piper publishes the town paper, the Eureka Gazette.”

  “Publishes, edits, writes, photographs. I’m it.” Piper’s brow furrows, and she studies Jessica a beat before looking over to the dugout where Pinky is helping Crimson with her helmet. “Are you?”

  “She’s Pinky’s mom.” Another forced smile lifts my cheeks, but my friend knows me better than that.

  “Well… that is breaking news. Does Pinky know?”

  “No,” I say under my breath. “We’re keeping a lot of things from her these days.”

  “We think it’s best to wait a few days.” Jessica says it like she made the decision. “Get to know each other first.”

  “I see.” Piper’s eyes move from her to me again, and I can read her mind. Are you okay?

  No, my mind replies. I’m definitely not okay.

  “Hi, ladies! What did I miss?” Julia trots up breathless to where we’re standing just in time to see Crimson at the tee. “Oh no, here we go again.”

  “I’m surprised you got her out there!” I step to the side, allowing her space at the fence.

  “Pinky gave her a pep talk.” Julia laughs. “I think it was more along the lines of ‘Don’t be a baby’ and ‘Owen’s just a boy’ more than anything.”

  “Oh, no!” Jessica’s eyes are wide, and she appears truly concerned. “I’m so sorry. She should be more sensitive.”

  “It was really hilarious and probably just what she needed.” Julia’s brow furrows. “We haven’t met…”

  “I’m Jessica.” She shoots out a hand. “Pinky’s mom.”

  Julia straightens fast. “Pinky’s…”

  “She just arrived in town,” I explain quickly. “We’re getting to know each other first.”

  “I see.” Julia smiles tentatively, looking from Jessica to me. “So are you okay?”

  “Oh my gosh, Cass is still the nanny! She’s fine.” Jessica quickly answers, then exhales a laugh. “Her job is very secure.”

  “That’s not exactly what I meant.” Julia’s lowered tone is worried, and I squeeze her hand.

  “Your daughter’s up to bat!”

  I cheer for Crimson, but I feel my friends’ eyes on me. This time, the little girl doesn’t spin around like a top when she hits the ball. She also doesn’t make it to first base, and Pinky runs out to get the helmet and bat.

  I’m pleased to see her hug her friend and pat her shoulder, but all that friendliness disappears when she enters the batter’s box.

  Ryan looks to Owen, and they exchange a nod. Owen motions to the kid on first base with two fingers, signaling to keep his eyes open.

  Our little slugger walks up to the plate with her brow lowered and what looks like a ping-pong ball in her cheek.

  “What is she eating?” Jessica asks.

  “Big League Chew,” I reply, my eyes not leaving P.

  “We want a batter, not a broken ladder!” The kid on first base starts, and she cuts him a look just as Ryan pitches.

  “Strike!” the catcher yells, and she turns on him.

  “You’re no umpire!”

  “It’s okay, Pinky,” I call. “Don’t worry about him. Keep your eye on the ball.”

  She gets back into position, her elbow up and her eyes lowered. Ryan takes a minute, and Jessica exclaims, “Is it always this intense?”

  Piper whispers in my ear. “As intense as Alex’s house?”

  Ryan pitches an under-handed throw, and Pinky swings with all her might…

  And misses.

  “Stee-rike!” The catcher stands up and does a pulling motion with his fist.

  The kid on first is back at it. “Keep swinging, the breeze feels nice!”