Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(29)

The fact that Jake stood between them, looking oblivious, just made it more awkward.

Maya glared at her family as if willing them not to make a remark that could hurt her. Or knowing Maya, that could hurt Jake.

“You brought Holly, Jake,” Marie Montgomery finally said as she handed off her grandbaby to his mother. “I’m so happy you did. It’s about time we met the woman stealing our Jake’s heart.”

Holly blushed right to her pale blonde roots, and Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Maya stared at him as if she’d never seen him before, but she didn’t look hurt…didn’t look jealous. She just looked…different. As if the other woman didn’t know what to do now that her best friend had someone to hold.

Maybe the Montgomerys had been wrong and Maya and Jake weren’t for each other. Maybe they didn’t love each other the way they all thought. Maybe this would work out.

Or maybe someone would end up broken in the end.

And that was just another reason Autumn couldn’t fall for Griffin or the Montgomery family. When she had to leave—and that was any day now—it had to be quick. Painless. She couldn’t leave so many strings, so many connections.

She knew it was too late for some pain, but the agony could be held off.

She prayed, at least.

Marie hugged Jake close, then did the same to Holly. The young woman’s eyes widened for a moment, then she hugged Marie back.

“Thank you so much for inviting me,” she said softly. “I know this is a family thing, but Jake and Maya said it would be okay since you wanted me here.”

“We don’t bite. Much.” Maya winked at Holly and smiled.

Autumn met Griffin’s eyes. He just shrugged, and she let out a breath. Well, at least dinner would be interesting. Of course, she knew it would have been even without the Holly/Jake/Maya drama. The Montgomerys knew how to intrigue her just by breathing.

Hence why she should ready leave as soon as she found a place to go.

“Well, it’s good you’re here,” Marie said. “I’ll introduce you to everyone, and then we can all come and gather around the couches. Harry and I have something we’d like to say.” She smiled softly, and Autumn felt Griffin stiffen beside her. “I didn’t know we’d be announcing this today, but I’m glad you’re here since you’re part of Jake’s life.”

“What’s going on?” Maya asked.

“Go sit down, darling. We’ll explain in a moment.”

Autumn looked over at Harry, who leaned back in his recliner as Marie introduced Holly to the rest of the Montgomerys. They all looked as shell-shocked as Griffin. Between Holly and now this mysterious announcement, it was a lot to take in.

“Tell us now,” Austin said as he pulled Sierra onto the couch next to him. Leif sat on the floor, leaning into his dad’s legs.

“Yeah, what’s wrong, Daddy?” Miranda asked. Decker sat next to Sierra and tucked Miranda on his lap, running his hand over her back.

“Are you having to get more treatments?” Meghan asked. She sat on the other couch next to Luc. Both kids piled onto the couple’s laps and held hands. They were old enough to know that something was off…or least that something was coming.

“Just tell us already,” Wes said. He leaned against the couch, Storm next to him. The other twin didn’t speak, only frowned at his father.

Maya sat next to Luc as Jake and Holly took the empty seats next to her. Her shoulders stiffened for the barest of moments, and Autumn wasn’t sure anyone else had caught it but her.

Griffin took Autumn’s hand, and she squeezed his. They hadn’t moved from the hallway, but with the way the living room was situated, they were still in the center of it all. Autumn couldn’t help but think that she, Holly, and perhaps Jake shouldn’t be there right then. But even as she thought it, Griffin tugged her close. She shuffled to his side and let him lean on her just a little. If he needed her there, then she’d be there. But she’d have to do her best to stay strong against him.

She looked over the Montgomerys and knew she’d never again see such a close-knit group. They loved each other even through the worries and pain that came with life. The fact that they were missing one of their own wasn’t lost on her either. Alex should have been there, and she hoped one day he would be. He needed to heal himself first.

“Dad,” Austin growled out the word, and the others quieted down.

“I went to the doctor yesterday for my appointment,” his dad said smoothly. “As of that appointment, I’m officially in remission. I can’t call myself cancer free until I reach a certain time, but I’m well on my way.”

It was so quiet she could have heard a pin drop. Everyone held his or her collective breaths until it was as if someone had punctured the vacuum. People jumped up, hugged, yelled. Others cried, holding on to one another and their father. The kids danced around, giggling for their grandfather.

Yet with all of the chaos, Autumn only had eyes for one man.

Griffin kept his gaze on his father, who gave him a small nod. He shook slightly, and Autumn put both hands on him, making sure he was okay.

“Griffin?”

He fell to his knees, pushing her against the wall as he put his head on her stomach, his arms going around her waist and butt.

“Thank God. Thank God.”