Page 4 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Thank you.”

Laurel hadn’t been able to get any information. She waited in the room with several others, too anxious to sit. She paced from one window to the next, pouring her heart out in prayer. For the umpteenth time she glanced at the utilitarian clock. Almost an hour had passed since her arrival.

She had no idea if the surgery would take one hour or ten. Why wasn’t someone here to answer questions? Didn’t they know being uninformed, feeling so helpless, was torture?

A tall woman in blue scrubs entered the waiting room, and all eyes swung her way. “Mallory Clayton?”

Laurel rushed over on quaking legs. She didn’t like the solemn expression on the doctor’s face. “Is she okay?”

“Hello, I’m Dr.Mertz. Are you a relative?”

“I’m Laurel Robinson. Mallory doesn’t have any relatives. I’m her best friend and emergency contact. Is she all right?”

Dr.Mertz’s eyes turned down at the corners in sync with her lips. “Why don’t we go somewhere more private, Laurel.”

Chapter2

Gavin couldn’t help himself. He went upstairs and down the hall to the nursery. He peeked into the room and found Emma sound asleep in her crib. It was just now getting dark outside, but Mike had installed blackout shades, and the room was lit only by a princess night-light.

His heart clutched at the sight of the child’s sweet face. The slight rise and fall of her chest. She was fine. She would be fine. When Mallory woke from surgery, he’d take Emma to see her. It would be good for both of them. They were in this together now. Gavin would be there for them in whatever way they needed. He’d help keep Mike’s memory alive for Emma, telling her stories about her dad—he had plenty of them.

Feeling somewhat reassured, he pulled the door closed and headed back downstairs. He’d arrived just after Chloe put Emma down. They’d seen each other before in passing, so the babysitter knew he was a close friend of the family. He’d simply told her the Claytons had been delayed and that he’d been sent to relieve her. He didn’t want word of Mike’s death spreading prematurely. Onlywhen she stood awkwardly at the door did he realize she hadn’t been paid. Apologizing, he grabbed cash from his wallet and handed it over.

Gavin’s body felt heavy as he took the steps. He was profoundly glad Emma was already down for the night. He needed time to process what had happened before he answered the toddler’s questions about where her parents were. She was very verbal for a two-and-a-half-year-old, already stringing three and four words together. But what was he supposed to tell her? How could she possibly understand that her dad was gone forever when Gavin could barely process it?

He’d called his mom on the drive here and broken the news to her. She was informing the rest of the Robinson family. Praying for Mallory’s recovery. Shock had faded enough that he’d shed his first tears as they talked.

Gavin blinked. How long had he been standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring into the living room? Toys cluttered the space. He moved automatically toward the pile of magnetic blocks and began cleaning up. Sunny, the Claytons’ golden retriever, watched from her favorite spot near the hearth, head tilted, ears perked.

He was almost finished putting away the toys when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Cooper. He tapped the Accept button. “Hey, any news yet?”

“I just talked to someone at the hospital.” A beat of silence ushered in the bad news. “I’m sorry. Mallory didn’t make it.”

A chill swept through him. His legs gave way, and he sank onto the sofa. It couldn’t be true. Mike and Mallory just... gone? He would never see them again? His gaze swung upstairs, where Emma slept unaware that her world had just fallen apart.

“She didn’t make it through surgery,” Coop said. “The internal injuries were too extensive.”

“This can’t be happening.”

“I know, Gav. It’s awful.”

Poor Laurel. She’d never been one to open up easily. Had always kept her circle small. So small Gavin wasn’t sure there would be anyone left in it now.

“Is Emma all right?” Cooper asked.

“She’s sleeping.” He palmed the top of his head. “What am I going to tell her, Coop? What’s even going to happen to her?”

“Do you know if they had a plan? A will?”

“I—yes. I think Mike mentioned something about that a long time ago.” Gavin was executor, if he remembered right. But surely that was more than two years ago—before Emma was born.

“Is there a relative who might...?”

“Mike’s parents. They’re older—they had him in their forties. But maybe they’d step in. Mallory’s got a mother, but they haven’t seen each other in years.”

“Siblings?”

“They’re both only children.”Wereonly children. Gavin scrubbed a hand over his face.

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