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“Hello?”

“Hi Jessica, it’s Mrs. Hadley from Harmony preschool. I’m hoping that you’re back from your trip to the city because there’s been an accident.”

“What?” Panic took over as I waited for her to tell me more. The traffic had started moving, but barely, and I laid on my horn as if it would make everyone part just for me.

“Max fell on the playground and bumped his head. He was alert when we called the ambulance.”

“Ambulance?” I screamed, unable to comprehend the fact that my son—my baby—had to be in an ambulance alone and scared.

“He was taken to Harmony Medical Center. It's the small clinic next to the grocery store. That’s all I know.”

I nodded, letting her know I was familiar with that building, but she couldn’t see me. All she heard was the click as I hung up and dialed Easton. He was a fire fighter, a damn EMT for fuck’s sake. Maybe he knew more about Max. Maybe he didn’t go to his parents’ house and was with the team that responded to the call.

Unfortunately, the five calls I made while I broke through the traffic jam all went to voicemail. My foot hit harder on the gas pedal, intent on getting back to Harmony Haven quicker than I ever had, not even caring that the dark cloud ahead of me looked ominous. Storm or not, I was getting to Max as fast as possible.

Chapter Thirty-Two

EASTON

Laying in the yard,sprawled out in the freshly cut grass, I looked up at mom and dad’s old house. It took me all day to weed eat, mow, and trim the hedges, but I took pride in doing it myself.

In the beginning, Miles and I did the work together, using it as time we’d spend reminiscing and telling old stories. We got the work done in half the time, but as the years went on, and we got older, we found peace in being out there alone.

West still had someone do his part for him, unable to face the house even though it had been twenty years. I sometimes gave him shit for it, but deep down, I understood.

“You think I would be a good dad?” I asked my own dad, hoping there was some way he could hear me, some way he could answer me. “I never really thought about being a dad. But after meeting Jesse and Max, knowing I want to be with her for a long time, it's a natural thought. Right?” I motioned with my hand toward the sky, then put it back behind me to prop my neck up. “And by a long time, I mean forever. Which is crazy.I'm pretty sure I fell in love with her at first sight, which is not something I ever believed in. But dad, you saw her right? When I brought her over last week? She’s gorgeous, and smart. Every once in a while, I can make her laugh and smile, and it lights up my whole world. She has a lot on her shoulders. She’s been through a lot. So when I can break through all that, it makes me want to do it again and again.”

Under the tree, in the shade, the breeze picked up and I smiled, taking it as a sign that dad heard what I was saying.

“Trust me, Dad, I know how crazy I’ve been since I met her. It's been hard to think about anything else. You once told me, though, that Mom made you do things you never dreamt you would. Like ballroom dancing and putting the toilet seat down. You said the right woman will make you unapologetically crazy, and boy were you right.”

A few harder wind gusts started swirling and in the distance, I could hear the thunder of an incoming afternoon storm. It was still in the distance, but coming toward Harmony Haven and I got up, storing the lawn mower back in the old shed.

Before loading up in my truck, I pulled my phone out and looked at the time. Max would still be in school for a couple of hours so I could try to sneak over and see Jesse. The thought of having her take a shower with me was just enough to make my jeans feel tighter and my finger hover over the call button.

But before I could press it, an incoming call from Daniel popped up on my screen. He was on duty and had no reason to call me unless something had happened. So I answered quickly and didn’t even get to speak before his words had me cranking my truck up and peeling out of the long driveway.

“There was an accident at the preschool.” His breathing was labored and I could hear people yelling in the background.

“Jenny?” I floored it, fearing the worst for my goddaughter.

“No. She’s okay, but we got a call and sent EMTs. They transported Max to the medical center but according to the school, Jesse isn’t in town so he’s alone. Thought I’d call you.”

My foot was practically hitting the floorboard as I raced the distance back into town. “I’m headed straight there.”

“You need to call Jesse,” he urged. “They won’t let you see him. You’re not related.”

I hung up without any goodbyes and immediately dialed Jesse. Her phone had a busy signal, though, which was unheard of unless she was using the phone to call. I tried again, several times, but it never went through.

The rain started coming down hard, making it hard to see the road, but I still made it to the clinic within minutes. Betty was the nurse at the front desk, typing away as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She looked up, recognizing me and by the look on her face, she knew why I was there.

“Where’s Max Olsen?”

“You know I can’t let you go back there,” Betty sighed. “Especially since you aren’t even on duty. You’re here on personal business, Easton, and he’s not your business.”

“He’s alone!” I slammed my hand on the counter. “He knows me. Did you get a hold of Jesse?”

“We were just going to try her phone again. It's been busy, not connecting, but the school spoke with her and she’s on her way back from Atlanta.”

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