One More Chance (Chance, #2)(14)

“Good morning to you, too,” I replied, glad that Grant hadn’t let me go just because of my grumpy brother.

Mase only grunted in return.

“No good morning for me, beautiful?” Major asked with the lazy grin he knew made women everywhere want to please him. He knew I was completely unaffected by him, which made it even more ridiculous that he would flash that smile on me now. Grant’s arms tightened around me, and I felt him tense. He didn’t know Major was a world-class flirt and meant nothing by it.

“Morning, Major,” I replied, snuggling further into Grant’s arms to reassure him. “I see you’ve met . . . Grant,” I finished weakly. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to refer to Grant. “Baby daddy” didn’t seem appropriate.

“Yep, Mase introduced me to him already. I hadn’t realized you had a man. I’m dealing with the heartbreak at the moment,” he replied with that stupid grin. That wasn’t true—I had confessed my feelings for Grant to Major on that hay bale just a few days ago. He was trying to cause trouble. I had started to scold him when Grant loosened his hold on me to take a step toward Major. I reached out to grab his arm, though Major kind of deserved it.

“Oh, for f**k’s sake, dickhead. Stop teasing Grant. The man’s about to beat the shit out of you, and I’m gonna let him. Drink your coffee, and shut the hell up, or leave,” Mase said, clearly annoyed with Major’s flirting.

I wrapped both of my hands around Grant’s arm. “He knows about you. He’s just teasing.” I wanted to add that I was pregnant with his baby. He shouldn’t be acting possessive, but he also didn’t need a reminder of our real issues right now.

Major held up his hands. “Didn’t mean to cause a problem. No one warned me Grant was so damn territorial.”

Mase rolled his eyes and shook his head at his cousin’s words, then looked at me. “You OK?” he asked, his tone shifting from annoyed to sincere. I knew what he meant. He had called Rush knowing it would send Grant straight to me. He was making sure he’d done the right thing. I could be mad at him for not respecting my wishes, but Grant’s arms were around me again, and just feeling his warmth made me feel stronger.

“Yes,” I replied honestly. I was happy. I was happier than I had been in two months. And I wasn’t scared. Not anymore. Just seeing Grant and knowing we had created life inside me reminded me how much I loved this baby.

“Wish I’d known sooner,” Grant said in a tense voice, and I glanced up at him to see that he was frowning at Mase.

“He was obeying my wishes. He wanted me to call you. He begged me to answer your calls every night.” I didn’t want Grant mad at my brother for doing what I had asked. I needed them to be a family. And not just for me.

“She’s stubborn,” Mase added.

Grant bent his head toward mine. “I know,” was his only response.

I was standing right there while they talked about me. Instead of being snarky, I just shrugged. I was stubborn. I was determined. It was part of my strength. I wouldn’t deny that. I was proud of it.

“So what’s the plan?” Mase asked.

“Plan? What kind of plan?” Major piped up after watching us quietly.

I turned my head toward Grant. “He doesn’t know,” I explained to him in a whisper.

“Not your business,” Mase informed Major.

“I’m feeling slightly unwelcome in this little gathering. I think I’ll head on down to the stables and get things going. See you later,” Major said to Mase, then glanced over at me and smiled. “First time I’ve seen you really smile. Looks good on you,” he said, and he winked before leaving the house in a few long strides.

“Don’t get all possessive, Grant. He’s right. She hasn’t smiled in the last few months, then you show up here and she’s all smiles this morning. It’s a relief,” Mase said, standing up from the table. “I know you have plans, and I want to know what they are.” Although his eyes glanced down at me briefly, he was talking to Grant. I hadn’t had time to think about plans or discuss things with him. I wasn’t sure he had any plans yet. I didn’t want him to have any. We needed time.

“Rush made some calls. There’s a doctor back in Destin who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Specifically what we are dealing with here. He’s one of the best. I’m taking her home—to my home, to our home—now.”

Whoa. Wait. What? I stepped out of his embrace and crossed my arms over my chest. As much as I wanted to be with Grant, I didn’t like the idea of leaving the comfort zone I had found here. I was free to make my own decisions, and I had Maryann’s support.

Grant’s eyes were on me, and the pleading in them almost had me buckling without even considering the outcome. “We can’t live with your brother, and I can’t live without you. I want you with the best doctors, sweet girl. Please, come back with me. Let me keep you safe.”

Mase cleared his throat, but I didn’t turn away from Grant. “As much as I like having you here, I hate seeing you look so lost. He’s what you want. But I’ll come to Rosemary Beach any time you need me. All you have to do is call, and I’ll come get you. I don’t care who I have to fight to get to you.” That was Mase’s way of warning Grant that he was still on my side. But I didn’t want there to be sides.