Page 19 of Grid Search

I step inside my house, feeling so lonely, and lock the door behind me before heading to my room for the night.

Ryker

We pull up to my parents’ house, where I grew up, and I see everyone is already here. Lynae tried to talk me out of bringing her, but I wouldn’t hear it. She’s trying to put up those walls again, but I won’t let her. She’s wearing a heather gray dress with a denim shirt tied over her baby bump.

I walk around the truck and help her down. Every day, I check on her. We went shopping yesterday and got babyfurniture for my house. She keeps saying she needs some for her house, but I ignore it every time. She’ll be living with me and married to me before this baby comes. I have at least twenty more weeks to convince her to marry me. I’m taking my dad’s advice and giving her a family. I’m also not pushing her for sex, but I can’t wait to get back inside her.

Her hand in mine feels perfect as I lead her inside.

“Mom, we’re here,” I holler, and she comes around the corner from the kitchen. It’s been a habit since I moved out to announce when I’m home. Even though I don’t live far from them, it still feels like coming home when I step through these doors.

“Hey, kiddo.” She walks over and takes me in her arms. “Hello, Lyn.” She smiles softly at her and pulls her in for a hug. My mom is a couple of inches taller than my woman. I love how my family is with her. Isla comes around the corner, and she pulls her in for a hug too.

“Hey, girl.” She looks at Lyn. “Can I?” She points at her stomach, and Lynae laughs as she nods. My sister rubs her stomach and leans down to it. “I’m your auntie.”

I turn Lyn to face my brother when he steps inside from the back deck, followed by Lance. I see Dad working at the smoker and grill.

“Lynae, this is my brother, Logan, and his daughter, Reese.” Reese reaches for me, and I take her. “And you remember Lance from fire safety day.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lyn says as she shakes my brother’s hand. “She’s beautiful.” She turns to Lance. “Nice to see you again, Lieutenant Courtney.”

“Call me Lance.” He laughs.

“He’s both my boss and my cousin on my mom’s side,” I clarify, noticing the question in her eyes.

“Do you know what you’re having yet?” Isla asks, and we both turn to her.

“We’ll find out tomorrow,” Lyn says softly.

“So it’s true?” Rowdy laughs as he steps into the room, leading his girl and her son.

“Yes, I told you.” His mom Gibbs smacks him. She’s notorious for doing that to us boys.

“Yeah, but I thought you meant he was going to adopt him, like I am Archer.”

“No, it’s my kid in her belly, asshole,” I argue with him.

“Ryker, mouth.” My mom raises her voice.

“Yes, ma’am.” I turn back to Rowdy. “Lynae, this is my cousin Rowdy, his girl, Coral, and their son, Archer.”

“Wow, there are a lot of babies here.”

“Yep, I can’t wait until I have one,” Isla says, and four pairs of eyes focus on her.

“Over our dead bodies,” I proclaim, with Rowdy, Logan, and Lance agreeing.

“Now, boys, you know she’s an adult now. I mean, she’s the same age as Lynae and Coral,” JoAnna adds.

“No, she isn’t. Lyn is twenty-two. Isla is only twenty.”

“I was twenty-one when we got pregnant.” Lyn chuckles as she rubs her stomach.

“Don’t make me take you home and spank you, vixen,” I growl into her ear, making her tremble. Her body wants me, but her mind keeps stopping her.

We follow everyone out to the patio, where Dad is putting food on the table.

We sit down and enjoy a meal together. We haven’t done this in months. I hope we can continue so Lyn can see the big family she will be getting.

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