Page 47 of Call it Fate

“Chase,” I interrupted. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Iain’s fine.”

“Explain.” Chase’s dark brown eyes snapped with anger.

I gave them a brief recounting of what had taken place during the last week. “He loves Iain, and it’s honestly hard seeing how well they get along, knowing that it could have been this way the entire time.”

Cam looked at me with sympathy. “Have you figured out what you’re going to do now?”

“I’ll tell you what she’s going to do. She’s going to get an appointment with Marcus and make sure that asshole doesn’t have any rights.”

I held up my hand, glaring at Chase. “No, that isnotwhat I’m going to do. Not only does Zach deserve time with his son, but Iain deserves time with his father.”

“Bullshit. He missed his time to step up. Iain has me and Reid for role models.”

“And he still has you,” I offered gently. “I don’t know what either of us would do without you. And I’m sure even Marcus would agree Zach has rights. It’s not like he abandoned us. He honestly didn’t know. I appreciate your willingness to come to my defense, but this is my decision, and I’m not keeping them apart now that they’ve found each other. That’s not fair to either of them.”

“And what about what’s fair to you?” Chase exclaimed. “You’re just going to let him waltz in here after all these years and what? Start running up and down the mountain on his weekends?”

Cam bit her lip. “That’s a fair question, Em. I get that everything seems good now, but what about when it’s time for Zach to leave?”

I slumped in my chair. “We haven’t worked that out yet,” I mumbled.

Chase stood, almost knocking his chair over in his haste. “And what’s gonna happen when he wants to take Iain with him, hmm?” His voice had grown louder as he pointed a finger at me. “Don’t forget about the family he comes from. I think you’re making a mistake.” He spun on his heel and stomped out of the room.

I sat in stunned silence, not sure if I should go after him or let him go. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so spun up before. You’d think Zach was coming to take his farm away or something,” I told Cam.

Cam’s thoughtful eyes watched her twin as he left, then turned her attention back to me. “Don’t mind him. Chase loves Iain and would do anything for him and for you. You know that. He’s just remembering how bad things were for a while and feeling overly protective. You know he doesn’t like change, and you have to admit, this is a big change.”

“I was worried in the beginning, too. I’ve had a few days to see how it’s all playing out. Zach’s a good man. Most of the misunderstanding was my fault. He’s forgiven me, and he’s amazing with Iain.”

“Having Zach back in your life means Zach’s family’s involvement, too.”

I didn’t miss the warning in her tone. “I haven’t told him about what happened, and I’m not going to.”

“Emalee—”

“No. Nothing good can come from it, Cam. All it will do is cause Zach more pain and will change nothing. There’s been enough of that. You have to promise you won’t say anything once you meet him.”

She sighed as she held up her hands in surrender. “It’s not my story to tell,” she said as she held my gaze. “But remember, secrets have a way of coming out.”

“I know. But in this case, I can’t imagine his dad will say anything since it would condemn himself, so there’s no need to upset anyone.”

“That aside, whatareyou going to do when he has to leave?”

I idly played with the saltshaker on the table, spinning it around like a top. “Hopefully by then, we’ll have figured it out.”

“I love Sterling Mill, but I can’t see where there’s a lot of opportunity for Zach here.”

“I know.” Cam voiced what I’d been thinking ever since he arrived. “He’s really got his hopes pinned on getting an internship to specialize in surgery with the vet he works for now. But even if that doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean he won’t get an offer somewhere else.”

“So, what, the two of you will just make multiple trips back and forth?”

I stared at the table; the wonderful meal Marta had prepared churned in my stomach. The idea of leaving Iain behind while I came back to Sterling Mill alone or watching Zach pull away with my baby in the car…

Cam must have seen the anguish on my face. “Would you move there?” she asked.

I’d already thought about it. It was a logical move, except, “Who would take care of The Dogtrot?”

“Hire more people.”

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