Page 37 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Isn’t it about harvesttime?” Jeff asked.

Mouth full of food, Gavin nodded. Harvest Moon had meant so much to Mike and Mallory. Mike had maintained his job at an auto parts distributer, but the plan had been to grow Harvest Moon to the point where he could quit. They would never reach that goal now. The thought punched Gavin in the gut.

“You know, honey,” Mom said. “I’d be happy to help out with Emma this weekend and next week. There’s no reason for Laurel to miss more work. And I’m sure you have a lot on your plate with that house you’re building.”

“Thanks, Mom. But Wes is covering for me when necessary, right bud?”

“I’m all over it.”

“And I’ve been working on a new bid from my laptop.” Though his heart hadn’t really been in it. That was only to be expected after such a terrible shock. Before he’d gotten news of the accident he’d been raring to find office space for Robinson Construction. Now, that couldn’t seem less important. He cut Wes a look. “Speaking of bids, we should probably get together this week and go over some stuff.”

“Sure thing. Let me know what day works best for you.”

“But what about Laurel’s job?” Sometimes Mom was like a dog with a bone. “I’m sure she’s needed at the Biltmore.”

He gave careful consideration to his response. While he was frustrated with Laurel, his loved ones needed no extra ammunition to use against her. “She doesn’t want to leave Emma any more than I do, Ma.”

His family exchanged glances over the table again.

Gavin rolled his eyes. After the rough week, maybe he was a bit on edge, but all this speculation and second-guessing was getting under his skin. He set down his burger and regarded his family with a scowl. “What? Does someone have something to say?”

A long beat of silence followed.

Avery glanced his way. “We’re just worried about you, Gav.” She turned her gaze to Cooper, who picked up right where she left off.

“Being trapped in a house with your ex has disaster written all over it, don’t you think?”

“Maybe if Laurel won’t leave, you should,” Mom said. “It’ll only be for a few days, until the aunt turns up, and I’m sure Laurel can handle Emma just fine on her own.”

Something dark welled up inside him at the thought of leaving the child. “I’m not deserting her.”

Mom hiked a delicate brow. “Laurel or Emma?”

Gavin frowned at her. “Emma. Everything I’m doing is for Emma. I’m over Laurel.” His heart bucked at the declaration.

“Of course, honey, but maybe you don’t have to stay there, that’s all.”

“You could always visit Emma in the evenings,” Avery said.

“Laurel might even welcome a break,” Katie added.

Mom tilted a smile at him. “Caring for a child twenty-four seven is a big responsibility, to say nothing of the trauma she’s experienced. It’s a lot to deal with.”

Gavin pressed his lips together. His family was just concerned. They were worried being with Laurel would put him in that same pit of despair he’d fallen into after the death of his son and subsequent divorce. But didn’t they understand he wasn’t the same person now? A man didn’t go through all that and come out unchanged.

But one thing thathadchanged was his priorities. He’d never again prioritize work over someone he loved. He would no more desert Emma than he would cut off his right arm. Just the thought of it made him sick.

Meanwhile, his family was still discussing what he should do—each of them having an opinion.

He crumpled the paper napkin, tossed it on his plate, then stood and stepped over the bench. “When you all decide what I should do, let me know. Thank you for having me over, but I’m going to leave now.”

“Oh, honey, don’t go. You just got here.”

He tossed his paper plate into the trash. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

Chapter15

Bedtime was not going according to plan. Laurel set down the book and pressed a kiss to Emma’s forehead. “Time to go to sleep.”

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