by Cassie May
“She’s going to be okay, Laynee. I know it.” Laynee could only nod, trying to sort out the feelings rushing through her while never taking her eyes from Abby.
“You know, little lady, the baby has no name so far. Can you think of one?” Jacob’s quiet question made Abby’s head snap around so fast, Laynee feared she would break her neck.
She saw the little girl fighting against her handicap to tell the farmer a name and almost stepped in to save her from disappointment, but Gavin held her back. “Let her. She can do it.”
“B…. Bu…”, Abby swallowed hard, determination blazing in her eyes. “Butter… Buttercup.” A satisfied smile spread over the girl’s face and Laynee’s eyes widened. Not only was Abby able to say a new word, no she wanted to give the little alpaca her own nickname. Nothing could hold back the tears that streamed over Laynee’s face when hearing that and Gavin turned her around to press her face against his chest to soak up the tears.
“That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful animal. What do you say, little lady. Do you want to come over more often to take care of Buttercup? Think about it. It’s a lot of work to take care of an animal and you should be really sure that you will be able to do it.” Jacob’s voice sounded hoarse and he had to blink back the tears at the obvious happiness in the little girl’s face.
Abby turned around to Laynee and the pleading question in her eyes made Laynee’s tears stop. “You want that, buttercup?” Abby nodded again. “Okay, if you are really sure let Jacob explain to you how to take care of this little one and I will drive you over here whenever I can.”
Another smile lit up Abby’s face. “T… Th… Thank… you”, she forced out and Laynee smiled.
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
After getting a tired Abby to bed where she immediately fell asleep Gavin and Laynee tiptoed out of the little girl’s room and downstairs to Laynee’s parents. They were already waiting for them and Jacob Bradshaw motioned for Gavin to take a seat on the couch in front of him.
Hesitantly Gavin sat down and Laynee sat on the arm rest next to him. “We had a few mysterious phone calls today, pumpkin.”
Paling Laynee leaned against Gavin for support and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “What do you mean, daddy? What mysterious phone calls?”
“Three times someone just hung up when your mother or I answered the phone, then finally someone asked for our daughter the bestselling author.”
Closing her eyes Laynee tried to force down the fear that rose inside her No one knew that she had moved to Peace. No one but her publisher and her lawyer knew about the move and both would never tell anybody anything. They had no reason to, so how had someone found her here already? It must be Kyle. No one else would have a reason to call here.
“What did you say, sir?” Gavin’s quiet question pulled Laynee out of her thoughts and she focused on her father again.
“I asked the guy if he had already called before, because some idiot obviously was not capable of doing a phone call before he called. Then I told him that my daughter hasn’t been to Peace for about ten years now, since she lives in New York and rarely visits her old parents.” His self-satisfied smirk made Laynee relax a little.
“Thank you, daddy. How did he sound? I know you never met Kyle, Abby’s biological father, but do you think it could have been him?”
Jacob shook his head. “Naa, if I had to bet, I’d say it was a teenager. At least the last call. If it were Kyle, then he was trying to see if you’d answer the phone, which you shouldn’t do from now on, by the way. I hope it wasn’t Kyle, but if he was, then I hope my fib was enough.”
Laynee chewed on her bottom lip till she tasted the metallic flavor of her own blood and her hand cramped around Gavin’s arm.
“I won’t lose you again just because of some asshole who doesn’t know his place. I will keep you and that precious little girl, you brought with you, safe. I won’t ever send you away again. Not as long as I am still breathing. I would die for you, Laynee. For you, your mother or Abby. I would give my life if it means that you can live in safety.” Jacob’s voice was firm and strong and it sent shivers down Laynee’s spine.
“No, daddy. Don’t say something like that. Please don’t even think about it! I can’t lose you again! If I have to leave with Abby, I will if it means that you are still alive. I could never live with myself if you died because of me and I know Abby thinks the same. She already loves you.” Hot tears were streaming down Laynee’s cheeks and she jumped from the couch to wrap her arms around her father.
The father had always been there for her. His familiar smell of caramel and pine trees wrapped her in a comforting hug while she soaked his plaid shirt with her tears. She sobbed against his chest while he tried to comfort her. “Shhh, pumpkin dumpling. It’s all okay. I won’t die and I won’t sacrifice myself. It won’t come to that, I’m sure about it. Dray keeps his eyes open for anything unusual and the rest of Peace will probably know even before him if someone comes into town who doesn’t belong here. You know how the gossip mill works. Abby and you are safe here.”
“And I will keep an extra eye on you two as well. I won’t let anything happen to you, Laynee. You and Abby are already too important to me. Together we can face it, even if it comes to a confrontation. We can get through everything.” Gavin’s strong hand next to her father’s on Laynee’s back made her calm down a little and Laynee’s sobs became hushed while she still clutched her father’s shoulders like a lifeline.
One last choked sob and she felt strong enough to face the three people in the room. Three of the four most important people in her life who had supported her through the mess she found herself in. “Thank you. Thank you all for being here for me and Abby. For supporting me through all this and, most of all, for giving Abby and me a chance.” She spoke the last words while looking at Gavin, a tentative smile curling her lips.
“It is a pleasure, sweetheart. I wouldn’t want it any other way, trust me.” The smile lighting up his face made Laynee’s heart beat a little faster.
“And that brings me to the second reason I wanted to sit down with you. Tell me, Gavin Chance, what are your intentions toward my two girls?” Jacob Bradshaw was all business again and Laynee gaped at him.
“Daddy! Gavin has been nothing but a gentleman toward us! Abby already loves him and he was one of the reasons she came out of her shell enough to start speaking again! I won’t let you threaten him, do you understand me?”
“It’s okay, Laynee. I understand that your dad is only looking out for you and I am glad that he does.” Gavin pulled her back on his lap before continuing to speak. “Mr. Bradshaw, my intentions toward your daughter and granddaughter are easily explained: The moment they stepped into the kindergarten room, I wanted them to be mine. I felt a pull toward both I have never felt before and I would shoot myself before causing one of them harm. I understood that it wouldn’t be easy to care for them from the moment Laynee explained her situation to me, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to do all I can to make sure they have everything they need.” During his short speech Gavin never let go of Laynee and she snuggled closer to him.
“And are you going to support Laynee’s writing or will you make her stop since she is more successful than you?” Laynee blushed a deep read while remembering the reason her father posed such a question. One time. One time one of the men she went out with had had a problem with her being a successful writer and demanded that she stop writing. She had stopped the relationship instead and never went out with that douchebag again.
“Sir, with all due respect, but I think Laynee is totally capable to fight this battle on her own. She is a strong independent woman and I love her books. I admire that she was able to become successful with something she loves doing, but I think my work is as important as hers is. I might not make the same money she does, but I earn enough to ensure a comfortable life for her, Abby and any other children that might come along. Just because I don’t make billions, it d
oesn’t mean that I am not successful. I love what I do and I would never give it up.” The last sentences were spoken with a defiant edge to them and Laynee’s father opened his mouth to say something back, but Eleanor stepped in.
“That’s enough, Jacob. You made sure that this nice gentleman knows where you stand with our daughter and he has made himself clear where he stands. There is no need to interrogate him more, do you understand me?” Her voice had a sharp edge to it and Laynee bit her lip to keep the laughter from spilling out loud when she saw her father nod like a scolded child.
“I just wanted to make sure that my pumpkin is treated right”, he grumbled.
“And you did, so let’s enjoy the rest of the evening now without further interrogation.” Eleanor smiled and poured herself some wine.
“Yes, dear.” Her father smiled as well and shot his wife an adoring smile.
The next weeks flew by and Laynee forgot all about the mysterious phone calls. Abby loved the kindergarten and became fast friends with the deaf girl, Jo and the two girls developed a sign language that made it easy for them to talk to each other. All the while Abby’s muteness ceased and she talked more and more to people she liked. She was still shy and drawn back with strangers, but with family, including Gavin, and with Jacob, the alpaca rancher, she was almost back to her former self and Laynee found herself relaxing more and more.
They stayed at Gavin’s house a few days a week and he began to prepare a room for Abby. He asked the little girl what she liked and decorated it after her wishes. Everything was good. Almost too good, Laynee thought from time to time.
One day her phone rang while Abby and Gavin were at the alpaca ranch. She had stayed back to edit her latest novel. “Yeah, Laynee Bradshaw speaking.”
“Miss Bradshaw, this is Connor Davenport from Davenport and partners.” Laynee’s heart stuttered when she heard the calm voice of her lawyer and she felt a cold sweat breaking out all over her body. It couldn’t mean anything good for him to call her since he normally chose to send letters if he needed something from her.
“Yeah?” Her shaky voice betrayed the forced calmness she wanted to show him.
“Kyle Clary is contesting your guardianship of Abby. You have to come back to New York for the court hearing.” Black spots appeared in front of her eyes and Laynee forced herself to take a deep breath before answering.
“But… But… He never showed any interest in Abby. She doesn’t even know him. He only wants the money, her inheritance, not her.”
“I know that, Laynee. And I am absolutely sure that he has no chance of winning this case. The evidence against him is too much and the fact that he signed over all his parental rights at birth only strengthen that. Nevertheless you have to appear in court or it will look bad.”
“Do I have to bring Abby? I mean, I fear that it will set her back if I expose her to him again. She is happy here, she even started talking again.”
“No, you don’t bring Abby with you. The judge already agreed to not expose her to further stressful situations. He saw her when you left New York and only wants what’s best for her.”
“Well, it is best for her to stay with me, so why is he even considering this farce?”
“Because he has to. I promise you, it will be the last time. His decision will be final and after the court date Kyle won’t have a chance.”
Squeezing her eyes closed Laynee nodded slowly. “Okay, I can leave Abby with my parents. When is the court date?”
“Tuesday next week, I have sent all the information to you per letter, but I thought it would be best if I informed you personally as well.”
“Thank you, Mr. Davenport. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Laynee. I know it’s not easy and I only wish you and Abby all the best.” With that he ended the call and Laynee stared at her phone, desperation threatening to overwhelm her. She really had thought it would be over with her move to Peace. That Kyle would give up, but obviously he needed the money more than she had expected.
“Honey, we’re home!” Gavin’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts and Abby skipped inside the study to hug her.
“Hey buttercup, did you have a nice day at the farm? How much has Buttercup grown?” False happiness dripped from her voice and Laynee cringed at how fake she sounded, but Abby didn’t notice and began to tell her all about her day at the alpaca farm.
“It was awesome, Layn. She is sooooooo big now and she ate aaaaaaaaaaaaaall the apples I brought for her.” Abby showed Laynee with her hands how big the little alpaca has grown since her last visit and Laynee smiled sadly at her enthusiasm. She felt more like crying but knew that she had to keep it together till the evening, till Abby was sleeping.
“Abby, why don’t you go and wash your hands? You know that grandma doesn’t like it when you don’t wash your hands immediately after the farm and she promised to make peach cobbler for dessert. You don’t want to miss this, do you?” Gavin asked jokingly and Abby immediately skipped out of the room to clean herself up. That girl would do everything for Eleanor’s peach cobbler.
“Did you get work done while we were gone?” Gavin pressed a kiss on Laynee’s lips and she smiled mechanically.
“Yeah, all’s good.” Laynee cringed inwardly at the monotonous answer and Gavin immediately picked up on her mood.
“What happened? Is everything all right? Were there any new calls?” Gavin wrapped his arms around her and Laynee barely kept it together. Of course she wouldn’t be able to hide her mood from him. He was far too perceptive for that.
“I got a call from my lawyer right before you came back. Kyle is contesting my guardianship and I have to get back to New York next week to appear in court”, she answered quietly and a lone tear rolled over her cheek.
“Shit! Do you have to take Abby with you?”
Laynee shook her head, but before she could answer and tell him everything the lawyer told her a quiet voice disturbed her. “I don’t want to live with Kyle. He hates me and I like it here. I can’t leave Buttercup. She needs me. Don’t make me leave here, please Laynee.” Hot tears streamed down Abby’s cheeks and Laynee’s heart broke all over again at the girl’s despair and pain.
She extended her arms and Abby immediately curled in her hug. “Shhh, sweetie. It’s all going to be good. Of course you will stay here. I just have to tell the judge again why your mother wanted me to be your guardian. We have nothing to worry about. You won’t have to leave Buttercup, or Peace. This is our home now and there is no way we will leave it behind again, okay?”
The little girl nodded and lifted her tearstained face to look up at Laynee. “You promise?”
“I promise, buttercup. No one is going to take you from us. We are a family now and family sticks together.” Obviously satisfied with her answer Abby snuggled closer and Laynee looked at Gavin for help.
“Okay, sweetie. What do you think? Should we drive over to Grandma’s now and see if the peach cobbler is ready?”
Abby hopped from Laynee’s lap and nodded enthusiastically. “Will you come with us, Laynee?”
“Of course I will. There’s no way I am going to miss mom’s peach cobbler and you know that. Now go and get on your shoes.”
Abby skipped out of the room again and Laynee turned to Gavin. Wrapping her arms around his waist she rested her head on his chest. “Thank you. Thank you for accepting us like this and going through all the craziness that keeps popping up.” She took a deep breath and looked up into his face. “I love you.” She saw Gavin’s eyes widen in surprise at her declaration and immediately felt the need to take it back. Was it too early? But then a wide smile spread over his face and he pressed a passionate kiss on her lips.
“I love you, too, Laynee. You and that little girl who has already wrapped me around her pinky finger.” He grinned and guided her outside where Abby was already waiting impatiently for them to walk over to her parents.
One week later Laynee smoothed down her business skirt and blazer and waite
d nervously in front of the courtroom with her lawyer. They were too early, but she wanted to be on time for the most important meeting of her life. There was no way she would have come too late and risked losing Abby. Instead she wrung her hands and looked at her watch every five minutes only to let her head fall back in desperation.
“Please keep calm, Laynee. We have all the aces in our hand and the video you brought from Abby will only cement the judge’s decision. We won’t lose.” Her lawyer’s words made her force a smile on her face while simultaneously biting her lips. The tangy taste of blood coated her tongue when she bit too hard and tears welled up in her eyes. The nervousness was killing her.
“Easier said than done. The thought of losing her. I couldn’t bear it, do you understand, Connor? I can’t ever lose her. I would never get over disappointing her and Kelly that way. Kelly would never want Abby to stay with him.”
“I know, but there really is nothing to worry about. It is only a formality and if we leave we are going to have it in black and white that Abby is going to stay with you forever.” He squeezed her shoulder encouragingly and finally his optimism made Laynee relax a little bit.
Her phone vibrated in her hand and she smiled at the picture Gavin sent her. It showed Abby. Her arms wrapped around the neck of Buttercup the not-so-little-anymore alpaca and grinned from ear to ear. “Good luck, my love” said the caption and Laynee relaxed even more.
Her mood changed immediately when quick steps stomped toward them. “What do you mean, she hasn’t brought the brat with her? The reason we are doing this is so I get her!”
Laynee heard him before she saw him. The raspy voice of Kyle Clary was unmistakable due to years of substance abuse.
