Page 99 of Where Broken Wings Fly

And there’s still Micah to consider in this stupidly complicated mess that I’ve somehow engineered for myself. I’m so bloody confused. Is that what they want too? Could I even think about sharing? It seems like an alien concept.

“Mummy! Look!”

On the bouncy castle, Arianna is jumping like a maniac, fighting to get the highest amongst the other kids. I wave and blow her a kiss, loving the smile on her face.

“Wow, Ari! Be careful,” I call back.

Wading through the crowd of people, everyone greets me and offers bright smiles, but I long to escape the onslaught of attention. My stomach has been somersaulting all morning, cramping up so hard, I feel sick.

“Willow,” Ryder shouts. “Over here.”

He’s yelling from the huge gazebo that sits off to one side of Lola’s nearly pruned garden. Beckoning me over with a crooked finger, he plants a big wet kiss against my cheek before offering me a beer.

“You look frazzled.”

“Is it that obvious?” I sigh.

“Not at all, but I know your frazzled face by now.”

Collapsing into a rattan sofa, I press the cold beer to my forehead. “This is all a bit crazy. I’ve never seen the whole town together in one place before.”

He takes a swig of his drink. “Yeah, it can get a bit loud. Lola likes big parties. We usually have several throughout the year. She loves to play host to everyone.”

At the mention of her name, white-hot anger pools inside of my gut. I can’t stop myself from searching for her silvery hair in the crowd. She’s standing next to Albie as he grills a pile of burgers and hot dogs.

Avoiding her has been difficult. I don’t know how to confront her about Katie. Frankly, I’m not sure I’m ready for what she has to say. I doubt it’s going to be a happy story, and my current state of mind is fragile at best.

“Ethan is coming back up later in a couple of weeks.” Ryder grins as he always does when discussing his partner. “You’ll finally get to meet him.”

I force a smile. “I can’t wait.”

“He’s been busy working on this big investigation at work. I miss him so much when he isn’t here, but I can’t imagine leaving Briar Valley to live with him.”

“You’ll figure it out.” I poke him in the ribs. “You never know, maybe he’ll move up here. I’m sure we’d find a use for his detective skills.”

Ryder snorts. “Yeah, right.”

“I’m serious!”

“He could figure out who keeps taking all the eggs from the chicken coop.”

“It’s a legitimate concern. Killian has sworn lethal vengeance on the infamous egg stealer. Ethan could help avoid a very messy, public execution.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Killian take on Ethan. Hot damn.” Ryder snickers at my shocked look. “Oh, shut it. Even though he’s like family, I can appreciate a good view.”

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Speaking of the asshole himself, did I see you sneaking out of their cabin the other morning?”

I avert my eyes. “Erm, don’t think so.”

Ryder studies me closely. “You have a terrible poker face.”

“I do not.”

“And you’re a terrible liar too.”

“Jesus, Ry. Anything else?”

---