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  Reeling from his harsh words, Skye stared at him, her body shaking. “Wh-what did you say?”

  Gage huffed out a breath and shook his head. “I can’t stand here and watch you fall apart.” He turned and jogged toward his truck. “I’m going to follow her,” he called over his shoulder.

  Skye leaned into Laramie’s embrace, sobbing. Why did he flip out and blame this on her?

  * * *

  Skye was out of her mind.

  Gage clenched his jaw until it hurt. Her ability to enable McKenna had sunk to a new low today.

  How could she tell him he shouldn’t have yelled? Somebody needed to get through to McKenna, and it sure wasn’t going to be Skye—not when she handed the baby over like a sack of groceries. Gage gripped his steering wheel tighter and forced himself to concentrate as he trailed McKenna’s small white car to a new neighborhood on the edge of town—the one where a lot of the new Alta Vista Energy employees had bought homes.

  Where was she getting the money to cover a mortgage or a month’s rent? Had she hooked up with some new guy already? The thought of yet another stranger spending time with Connor spiked fear in his gut.

  It was all he could do not to jump out of his truck and confront her again.

  Instead, he kept a safe distance and left the engine running while he tracked her every move through his windshield. She parked and got out, then carefully lifted Connor into her arms and carried him, along with the diaper bag Skye gave her, toward the front of the house. His view was obstructed by shrubs and the corner of the two-car garage, so he couldn’t see who answered the door or if she had a key of her own.

  A few minutes later, he slowly drove by the house and snapped a quick picture of her license plate and made a note of the street address. He’d already called Drew, who’d confirmed that while he wasn’t thrilled with his cousin’s actions, no laws were violated. McKenna had every right to take her child, whether they thought she was capable of being a mother or not. Unless she endangered her child or committed a crime, there was nothing they could do.

  Nothing they could do.

  He scraped his hand across his face and slowly accelerated, while a hollow ache settled in his chest. Although he couldn’t hang around and spy on McKenna, it physically hurt to drive away knowing Connor was inside with her. Was he still crying? Did he have any idea who she was? Who else was in the house with them?

  The same unanswered questions spun through his mind—even if she was his mother, what if she didn’t know how to take care of a one-year-old? She hadn’t smelled like alcohol when they saw her at the festival, and she’d appeared sober and lucid. Still—he couldn’t believe this was happening. So what if she was his mother? They shouldn’t have allowed Connor to go with her.

  Back at his own apartment, he reached for his phone to call Skye and tell her what he’d observed, and then he hesitated. She was angry. Distraught. The hurt and disbelief in her eyes when he’d told her what he really thought was an image he wouldn’t soon forget. He put his phone away and started pacing. He was angry, too. If it weren’t for the way her family had handled this whole situation, Connor might still be—

  A knock sounded at his door. His boots clomped across the floor as he crossed his apartment in quick strides. A peek out the peephole revealed Drew waiting on the other side. In jeans, a hooded sweatshirt and a ball cap, he didn’t look like he was on official business from the sheriff’s department. So why was he here?

  “Hey,” Gage greeted him, his heart kicking against his rib cage. He knew it. McKenna had blown it already, just like he feared. “What happened?”

  Drew’s brows arched. “Take it easy. I’m just stopping by to check on you.”

  Oh. Gage crossed his arms over his chest. “So no updates, then.”

  “Not that I know of. Mind if I come in?”

  Gage stepped back without saying anything. Drew walked inside and glanced around. Gage closed the door behind him. An awkward silence filled the air as they stood in the entryway, staring each other down. It wasn’t like Gage planned to offer him a soda or anything. This was hardly the time to kick back and watch a ball game together.

  Drew cleared his throat. “I ran the plates on McKenna’s car. She didn’t steal it. My aunt Willa is the owner.”

  Of course she is. Gage swallowed back the snarky reply. That wasn’t fair. He didn’t know McKenna or her mother, but he couldn’t help chalking it up to one more way the family had enabled McKenna to get whatever she wanted.

  “How about the place where she’s staying—whose house is that?” Gage asked.

  “No clue.” Drew removed his ball cap and swiped his palm across his face. “I know this has been a tough day—for everybody—and I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  What? How could he possibly be all right? Gage narrowed his gaze. “It’s hard to imagine how anyone could hand over an innocent child—a baby—to the same woman who abandoned him.”

  Drew sighed and tugged his cap back into place, ignoring Gage’s barb at his family. “Like I said, she didn’t break any laws. We can’t keep her from her own kid.”

  “What if she leaves again? Or—or worse, leaves Connor with a total stranger?” Blood whooshed in Gage’s ears. How did Drew stay so calm—so matter-of-fact—about all this? They didn’t know who McKenna was with or how she was planning to provide for herself and a helpless child.

  “We are going to hope and pray that this time she’s got her act together and she’ll do what’s best for herself and for Connor.”

  Gage scoffed. “I gotta be honest, I’m not real optimistic.”

  Drew pursed his lips. “Look, you’re fired up about this, and your feelings are justified, but I—”

  “If you know I’m right, then why not do something about it?” Gage’s voice rose an octave, but he didn’t care.

  “I told you, there’s nothing I can do.”

  “What about Skye? She hasn’t asked you to intervene, either?”

  Empathy filled Drew’s eyes. He paused and then shook his head. “She didn’t ask me to come here, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Ouch. While he suspected that was the case, it didn’t hurt any less to hear Drew confirm it. Probably shouldn’t have asked if he didn’t want to hear the answer. Gage brushed past him and opened the door. If Drew wasn’t here to help, then there wasn’t much left to say. “Let me know if you hear anything.”

  “Gage—”

  “Thanks for stopping by.”

  Drew jammed his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie and left without another word. Gage stood there, staring at the closed door, a sickening sensation in his gut. Connor was going to spend the night in an unfamiliar place with a woman who was his mother, but basically a stranger, and there wasn’t one thing Gage could do about it.

  “I’m sorry, little buddy,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m going to fix it, I promise.”

  Tears stung the backs of his eyes and he wedged the heels of his palms against them to staunch the flow. He feared his words, like so many times before, were empty promises he couldn’t deliver. He’d failed Connor just like he’d failed Ryan.

  * * *

  The house was way too quiet.

  Skye sat on the sofa next to Mom and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. How could the absence of one little boy make her cry so much?

  “I’m proud of you, sweetie. You did the best you could.” Mom patted her leg. “This is all in the Lord’s hands now.”

  Was it? She hadn’t relied on the Lord much lately. Sure, she believed all those things she’d learned in Sunday school growing up and felt gratitude for her many blessings, but that was the extent of her relationship with Him. If He loved them, why had Connor—all of them, really—lost so much?

  “I can’t believe Gage.” Skye huffed out a breath. “First of al
l, he yelled at me, which was completely out of character, and then, as if that wasn’t enough, he blamed you and me and—and our whole family for McKenna’s behavior.”

  The ticking of the mantel clock filled the silence.

  “Mmm.”

  Her mother’s empathetic murmur got under Skye’s skin. “Don’t tell me you agree with him.”

  “I do.”

  “What?” Skye stared at her. “How?”

  “The feud between Uncle Kenny and your father impacted all of us, including McKenna,” Mom said. “Your aunt Willa did the best she could, but Kenny’s rage was all consuming. He truly believed your dad had deprived him of a fortune.”

  Skye scoffed. “I don’t know about a fortune, but Dad sure made some lousy choices about money.”

  “True. I wish I’d known sooner.” Mom smoothed her hand over Skye’s hair. “I’m not much different than your aunt Willa after all. Maybe I didn’t want to see the truth about your dad, either. By the time she realized McKenna’s wild ways, it was too late.”

  Skye twisted her crumpled tissue between her fingers. “It’s not our fault she ran off and got pregnant, though.”

  “No, it isn’t. She bears some responsibility in bringing Connor into this world.” Mom sighed. “Now that I’ve lost your dad and we’ve learned he harbored secrets of his own, I have more empathy and grace for people and their struggles.”

  Skye winced. Too bad she couldn’t embrace Mom’s perspective. It just hurt too much.

  “What happened to you?” Mom reached for Skye’s hand. “Somebody must’ve done or said something terrible. You seem...closed off. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Skye pressed her lips together and a fresh wave of shame washed over her.

  “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”

  Skye drew a ragged breath. “A guy I dated for a while, he—he was very cruel.”

  Mom stiffened. “Oh, Skye.”

  “With his words, not with his fists.” She forced herself to look at her mom. “But I don’t ever want to feel that intimidated or belittled again.”

  “Sweetheart, I am so sorry.” Tears glistened in Mom’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She ducked her head. “At first, I was embarrassed because I should’ve known better than to date someone who didn’t treat me well. Then ashamed and afraid of what people might say or think.”

  “Your brothers and I, we wouldn’t shame you. We love you and we are so proud of you. There’s nothing you could tell us that changes how we feel.”

  “I—I know.” Skye rested her head against her mother’s and more tears tracked down her cheeks.

  “Have you spoken to anyone else about this—your pastor or a counselor?”

  “I saw a therapist in Denver.” Skye sniffed. “That helped a lot. She told me I didn’t need to see her while I was staying here.”

  Silence filled the air. Skye’s pulse sped. Did Mom disapprove of her decision to get professional help? Tentatively, her gaze swung toward her mother.

  Tenderness filled her eyes. “Have you felt comfortable dating anyone else?”

  “Mom.” Skye didn’t bother to keep the irritation from her voice. She looked away. What happened to empathy and compassion for people and their struggles? She knew exactly where this discussion was going.

  “Gage is a wonderful man, and he’s a natural with Connor.”

  “I can’t be with someone who loses their temper in a crisis.”

  Mom shifted to face Skye. “Perhaps his anger wasn’t directed at you but more at the circumstances. He—”

  Skye shot her a warning look. “He yelled at me. In front of everyone. And he said it was our fault for being too loyal.”

  Mom’s lips formed an O. “We all say things we don’t mean sometimes in the heat of the moment.”

  Skye bit back a snide remark. It wasn’t that simple.

  “I suppose this means you’ll be going back to Denver after Easter,” Mom said quietly.

  Skye’s stomach knotted tight. “I think that would be best. My boss isn’t obligated to hold my job open, and I don’t see how I can turn things around at the furniture store.”

  “No one expects you to rescue the store all by yourself.”

  Skye studied her. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” Mom’s smile was sad. “The store had a good, long run. Times are changing here. My hope is that business will improve, or somehow we’ll transform that building into a space that benefits the community.”

  “Even if the store does close, part of me feels like I should stick around because I’m not sure McKenna will be able to handle full-time motherhood.” Skye tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling. “But I can’t keep her from her son.”

  “You need to follow your heart,” Mom said. “My knee is much better, and I’ll be able to drive again starting Monday. I want you to be free to make the decision that’s best for you.”

  A fresh wave of tears threatened to fall, and Skye’s vision blurred as she offered Mom a smile. “Then I’ll leave for Denver after our Easter brunch.”

  With Mom’s blessing, she’d return to work, get settled in her Denver apartment and reconnect with her friends. After the way Gage had treated her at the festival, she didn’t want to speak to him or even see him again. Now that Connor and McKenna had reunited, there was no reason to extend her stay in Merritt’s Crossing.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gage tugged at his starched collar and gravel crunched under his black wing tips as he strode across the parking lot at Alta Vista Energy Group on Thursday afternoon. Man, he couldn’t wait to get to his truck and loosen his tie. The sun slanted through the trees, which displayed tiny green buds, hinting that spring might’ve finally arrived. Birds chirped, and he didn’t need a winter jacket for the first time in months.

  Newly certified as a wind energy technician, his first job interview had gone well. The hiring manager said he’d get back to him soon. While he had a lot to be thankful for, regret and sadness over the absence of Connor and Skye weighed him down.

  “There he is.” Max’s voice derailed the beginning of Gage’s pity party.

  Max climbed out of his truck nearby and waved. “Congratulations, by the way. I hear you had an interview.”

  “Thanks.” Gage darted a glance to the back of the truck, where Dane was unloading equipment. They hadn’t seen much of each other since their contentious air hockey duel. It was probably for the best. If they ended up being coworkers or even partners, he’d have to have a conversation about that night. Dane tipped his chin with the obligatory nod, then disappeared into the garage.

  “Has anyone else offered you a job?” Max asked.

  “Not yet. This is my first interview,” Gage said. “I applied for an opening in Wyoming, too.”

  “Well that’s a no-brainer.” Max chuckled. “Merritt’s Crossing is much better than the middle of nowhere in Wyoming.”

  Gage didn’t answer.

  “Unless you like the middle of nowhere.” Max scrambled to recover. “Some folks do, I suppose.”

  Thoughts of Skye and Connor flitted through his head. “I’ve got some time to think about it—weigh the pros and cons.”

  Max nodded. “Anyone would be fortunate to have you on their team.”

  “Thanks, Max.” Gage smiled. “I appreciate that.”

  Max glanced at his watch. “The grandkids are driving down from Boulder today, so I’d better get home. Any Easter plans?”

  “Not really.”

  None, actually. Gage looked away. Spending the holiday alone wasn’t his idea of fun, but he didn’t need Max feeling sorry for him, too.

  “Why don’t you come over to our place? Lots of kids, tons of food—my wife’s been cooking all week. We’d love to have you.”

  Gage hesitated.
“I don’t want to impose.”

  “No imposition. Come to think of it, why don’t you come by at nine and go to church with us? We belong to a little country church near Limon. Great people.”

  “All right. I’ll be there.”

  “Good. I’ll let my wife know.” Max clapped him on the shoulder, his eyes twinkling. “See you then.”

  “Thanks, Max. I really appreciate it.”

  “Not a problem.”

  They said goodbye and Gage strode toward his truck parked on the other side of the lot. Easter was only three days away. Hard to believe less than a week had passed since McKenna had taken Connor. His heart felt hollow. He missed the little guy. Skye, too. He hadn’t seen or heard from any of the Tomlinsons since Drew’s visit to his apartment. While he’d driven by the house where McKenna was supposedly staying more than once, he’d intentionally avoided Skye.

  It hurt too much.

  Gage shed his suit coat and loosened his tie before getting behind the wheel of his truck. While he turned the key in the ignition, his gaze swung to Ryan’s photo on the dash.

  “Sorry, man,” Gage whispered. “I messed this all up.”

  He’d said those words a lot lately. The end result was still the same: Ryan was gone and Connor didn’t have a dad. Gritting his teeth, Gage drove away, his promise to Ryan playing on endless repeat in his head. How could he keep his word if McKenna didn’t let him be involved in Connor’s life?

  As he passed the grocery store, his foot pressed harder on the accelerator, his mind rehashing last night’s conversation when he’d bumped into Laramie in the dairy aisle. She’d mentioned that Skye planned to go back to work next week in Denver. The news struck like a fist to his gut. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, or the harsh words he’d spewed at the festival.

  Max was wrong.

  He deserved the middle of nowhere. Alone. Because he totally blew it with Skye. He shouldn’t have accused her of being too loyal. If it weren’t for Skye’s willingness to help her cousin, McKenna might’ve left Connor with a stranger. Skye’s love and faithfulness to her family despite their grief and broken relationships is what kept Connor safe and well cared for.