Page 16 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Yeah, she asked. She doesn’t understand the answer, of course. She’s reading right now and seems okay. It’s going to be a rough road.”

God, where are You?

“Cooper said you were searching for a will.”

“We actually found one last night. It’s an old one, but it should buy us a little time.”

“That’s wonderful news. Wait, we? Who’s with you?”

He winced at the slip. He’d hoped to keep Laurel’s presence under wraps.

“Laurel drove up last night. She was concerned about Emma too.”

The heavy silence said more than words ever could. Laurel had been one of them for five years. But the divorce had changed all that, of course. Sides were taken, and Mama Robinson was always going to side with her sons—even if the split had been Gavin’s fault. He’d fallen into a black hole after the accident. Moved back to Riverbend, taken the first job he was offered—campground manager.

It was only because of God’s grace, his loving family, and his friend Mike that he’d come out of that death spiral. Well, that and Katie—ancient history, given that the woman was now married to Cooper.

“Honey...” His mom’s voice held that treading-cautiously tone. “Do you really think that’s... healthy?”

“We’re just trying to do what’s best for Emma right now. She needs familiarity and Laurel stayed with her a while back so she knows Emma’s routines.”

“Of course, but... why don’t you let me come over and I’ll help you with her. Surely Laurel has to get back to her job, and I have all the time in the world. Emma and I get on like a house on fire.”

Laurel had made it clear she wasn’t going anywhere. “Thanks, Mom, but we’ll know more here soon, and Mike’s parents are on their way.”

“Oh! That’s great.” The relief in her tone came through loud and clear. Gavin wouldn’t be alone with his ex-wife. “I mean, not great—those poor people.”

A warm breeze ruffled his shirt and whipped across the rolling acres. Rows of trees, their branches laden with ripe apples, dotted the landscape as far as his eyes could see.

The harvest.He set his hand on top of his head. Didn’t even want to think about all that work and who was going to handle it. Mike and Mallory had sacrificed a lot to get their business up and going. It was finally paying off—and they weren’t even here to enjoy it. He blinked against the sting in his eyes.

“Honey, are you there?”

“Yeah. Listen, Mom, I’ll call you when I know what’s going on.”

“And if there’s any way I can help. In the meantime I’ll pull together the food for the funeral suppers. We can have them here if that works out best.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll let them know.”

“Give that precious girl a squeeze for me.”

After he disconnected he entered the house. In the living room Emma was lying against Sunny’s side, pretending to read to her. The dog licked her hand, then set her head on her paws. Thank God for Sunny. The child would need something normal in this uncertain season.

Laurel stood at the counter, ladling batter onto a griddle. She seemed so young in her leggings and a long pink T-shirt that draped off one shoulder. She had a sensitive spot at the cradle of her neck. Had always hunched up her shoulder and gave that husky laugh of hers when he tried to kiss her there. Sexy as all get-out.

Did she have a man in her life now? Someone else who knew these intimate details about her? His gut twisted and he shook the thought away. He couldn’t be thinking like this right now.

He resumed setting the table, his mother’s words ringing in his ears. Definitely not healthy to be sharing this house with his ex. But it was just for a short period of time. Once they got an answer from Darius—no matter what it was—he’d talk Laurel into heading home. If it came to it, between him, his family, and theClaytons, Emma would be in good hands. The funeral would be a few days away, and Laurel could return for that.

“Any news?” Laurel asked quietly.

“Not really. I did track down Darius’s number earlier this morning. And Mike’s parents confirmed that they’ll be here around ten. They had a slight delay in Chicago.” He didn’t mention that they were unaware of any guardianship plans, which meant Mike and Mallory hadn’t asked them to fulfill the role.

“How long have you been up?”

He wasn’t sure he’d ever really gotten to sleep. “A while. I thought I’d wait until eight to call Darius though. I let Cooper know about the will we found. That’ll stave off CPS at least.”

Laurel did a double take.“CPS?”

---