Page 51 of Wildest Dreams

I turn away from him and ignore the sting of angry tears.

“Come?” he asks so delicately, it pulls on my heart strings.

“I'm not sure...”

He gives a heavy nod and then walks back out of the room without another word to pass his lips.

“Oh, baby girl, what am I going to do,” I sigh.

CHAPTER TWELVE

DIXIE

Lainey sits in the highchair, smashing her hands down on the tray, food going everywhere, but it doesn't matter how much I try to stop her, she won't.

“Orla, I am so sorry.”

“Please,” she closes her eyes, lips pursed, “I have raised three boys, please don't apologise about Lainey throwing food to the floor.”

I give her a soft nod, letting my eyes flutter shut for just a moment.

Riggs and Aspen are in light chatter with Pacey. Jorge and Tripp are talking about the cattle and I feel like a spare part as my daughter trashes the floor with what little food is left on her plate.

“How was your first day of work?” Jorge surprises me with his question, I blink a couple of times and turn my face to look at him at the head of the table and that's when all the soft voices simmer to a deafening silence.

“Erm,” a soft cough tickles at the back of my throat before I let my eyes fall into my lap. “It was good, my muscles ache and I'm dog tired so that's a good sign...” my eyes lift to steady on Jorge, “right?”

“Sounds like a damn good day to me,” he chimes, and the table falls back into their chatter.

Once dinner is ate and Lainey is down for the night, I help Orla clear the table and do the dishes. Orla washes, I dry, and Aspen puts away whilst the Rivera boys are talking to Jorge in the back office.

“How's Pacey been?” Aspen asks and I roll my lips.

“Up and down. It's been hard on him. But his feelings feel minuscule to him in comparison to what Austin is going through.”

I step back and place the dish on the countertop. Aspen still has one in hand.

“We just don't know how to get out of this mess we've fallen into,” she admits, head tilting to the side ever so slightly. “He is pushing everyone away, he hasn't seen Harlow in weeks.”

“She was down at the stables today,” I pipe up then internally kick myself.

“I think she is trying to keep busy, act normal as such,” her eyes find mine as she gives a soft smile.

I nod. Not wanting to involve myself any more than I have in this conversation.

“He won't let her near though, he is fully in his head that he will accept the plea,” and her voice cracks.

“Oh Aspen,” Orla pulls her washing gloves off and encases Aspen into a motherly embrace. I clear my throat, feeling like I shouldn't be here. Placing the dish towel down softly, I take two steps forward just as Orla breaks away from Aspen and her eyes are on me.

“It felt like a private moment...” I admit, fingers locked in front of me.

“Everyone knows what's going on in the Warrens’ household, it's not a secret.” Aspen palms a stray tear away from her reddening cheek.

We hear the sound of heavy boots coming towards us and Aspen spins quickly, grabbing the plate from the countertop that I’d placed down and then pops it in the cupboard.

“Ready?” Riggs asks, his eyes searching Aspen's and with three long strides, he is in front of her. Hands cupping her face, eyes volleying back and forth between hers. “What's happened?”

“We were speaking about Austin,” Orla says softly and Riggs’ eyes slice over to me before they're back on Aspen.

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