Page 84 of Prodigal Son

Disappointed that he wouldn’t be spending the day with her, she focused on her plate and tried to hide her displeasure.

“Destiny, would you like to learn how to milk a cow and bottle feed a calf?”

Excitement bloomed in her chest at Gracie’s invitation. “I’d love that.”

“Great. I just need to check on Anna, then I’ll take you to the barn.”

“What’s wrong with Anna that you need to check on her?” Cain asked, concern overtaking his jovial mood.

Grace wiped down the countertops. “Annalise is fine. Her back’s been aching, and the babe has dropped. It’s getting close to her time. I’m just stopping by to bring her some muffins and calm her nerves.”

“There are muffins?” Vito asked.

“You’re a pig.” Destiny carried her plate to the sink.

“It’s too early,” Cain said, his brow tight with worry. “She’s not due for another two months.”

“The baby will come when he’s ready.”

Destiny frowned. “She’s having a boy? Do the Amish have ultrasounds?”

“Gracie just thinks it’s a boy,” Cain said. “Tell Anna I was asking about her.”

“Cain, I don’t want to add stress—”

“Just tell her.” Appearing irritated, he grabbed his hat from the peg by the door. “Ready, Vito?”

“Ready.”

He left without a glance in her direction. It was a painful reminder of her position but a healthy reality check. Whoever this Anna was, Cain still cared for her very much.

“Do you mind if I go with you to deliver the muffins?”

“Not at all.”

She helped Gracie tidy the kitchen and pack a picture-perfect basket of muffins to take to their pregnant sister-by-law. “I feel like Little Red Riding Hood on her way to Grandmother’s house,” she said, swinging the wicker basket at her side.

“Is that a friend of yours?”

“No, it’s a fable about a little girl who’s tricked and eaten by a wolf.”

“Oh,” Gracie said, a touch scandalized. “You English have such a tolerance for violent entertainment.”

Destiny frowned. Little Red Riding Hood was just a children’s story. But Gracie was right. No wonder they were so jaded and cold by the time they reached adulthood.

As Destiny imagined, Annalise was gorgeous. She was also very pregnant. It was difficult to believe she was only seven months pregnant.

When Destiny and Grace were alone, she quietly asked, “Did Anna and Cain date?”

Grace’s eyes widened and she whispered, “You must not ask such things, Destiny. My brother Adam is a very possessive man, and he will hear you.”

Destiny frowned. There was no one close by to overhear her, and that didn’t answer her question.

“The baby is Adam’s,” Gracie quickly whispered. “Now speak no more of it. We must keep Adam calm, for Anna and the baby’s sake.”

She supposed there was quite the story there, but it wasn’t Gracie’s to tell. Maybe one day Cain would share—except there wouldn’t be a “one day”. This was likely their last day, and after this, they really had no future together. It would do her well to remember that.

Anna returned with a glass of water. “Adam says I have to keep drinking fluids. I feel like it’s all going to my ankles.”

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