Page 83 of Shattered Secrets
“Me too. This is my husband, Tucker,” Penelope said.
“Good to meet you.” Nolan’s father took his mother’s hand, bringing her forward. “This is Grace. My wife.”
His mother, being Grace Hayes, embraced Penelope as if they were old friends. “I’m a good friend of Edna’s.”
“Yes, I know who you are.” Penelope stepped backward, her expression unreadable. “She speaks of you often.”
“I’m so sorry about the accident. Is there anything I can do?” Grace asked.
“Oh my God, I forgot to call Edna,” Penelope said, starting to cry.
“I’ll call her,” Grace said hurriedly. “Just sit tight.”
His mother got up to call Edna from the hallway. As she swept out of the room, Luke, Abby, and the kids arrived.
“Uncle Nolan!” Jack called out, running toward him.
“Hey, buddy.” Nolan scooped Jack up for a quick hug. “Isn’t this past your bedtime?”
“Yeah, but Mama said we had to come and support you,” Jack said, resting his head on Nolan’s shoulder. “But I have my jammies on under my jacket.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Nolan set Jack back on his feet.
Sophie gave Nolan a shy smile. “Hi, Uncle Nolan.”
“Hey, doll.” He held out his arms, and she hugged him tight.
“Is she hurt really bad?” Sophie asked.
Nolan knelt to her level. She’d lost her mother just last year, which would make her ten-year-old brain worried the same could happen to Laney. “She’s in surgery, but the doctors are taking good care of her. We’ll know more in a bit.”
Lily clung to Abby’s hand, her wide eyes full of worry. “Will Miss Laney come back to the bookstore? Because we like how she reads to us.”
Nolan’s throat tightened. “I sure hope so, kiddo.”
“What can we do?” Abby asked.
“Just wait with me,” Nolan said. “And thanks for coming.”
Abby turned to Penelope and Tucker, offering a warm smile. “You must be Laney’s parents. I’m Abby, Nolan’s sister-in-law. And these are our children, Sophie, Jack, and Lily.”
Luke extended a hand to Tucker. “Nice to meet you. I’m Luke Hayes.”
“Likewise,” Tucker said. “This is my wife, Penelope.”
Penelope’s sharp gaze lingered on Luke for a moment before she gave a small nod. “It’s good to meet you. Edna told me about your recent wedding. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’ve been blessed,” Abby said.
Grace returned, announcing that Edna was on her way. Everyone settled in. Grace and Abby kept the kids entertained with a game his mother had brought. The woman thought of everything. Across the room, Walter and his brothers spoke in low tones. Tucker and Penelope held hands, pale and tense.
Nolan sank into a chair not far from Laney’s parents as he heard Tucker say to his wife, “They’re clearly a close family.”
Penelope nodded, her gaze lingering on Grace, who had pulled Lily onto her lap. “And there are so many of them.”
Nolan almost smiled at her vinegary tone. Laney had described her well. Prickly but funny.
Penelope looked at him. “Why are they all here?”
