Page 126 of Falling Together

“I thought you liked them?” I ask, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“I thought they were cool before but they all brag about the people they know. It’s not like that back home.”

“Isn’t LA home?” I ask.

“Not anymore.”

“Luke, what do you want?”

“Are you going to be mad if I say I want to go back to Pinecrest?”

“God, no.” I squeeze him even tighter. “I love you, Luke, and I want to do whatever makes you happy. If Pinecrest is that, I’ll do it.”

Luke pulls back, wiping his nose. “There’s no ulterior motive?”

I clap him on the shoulder. “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t, but I have a feeling it’s going to take some work to win Georgia back.”

His lip quivers. “I’m⁠—”

“It is not your fault, okay? I left. Not you.”

He nods and my heart breaks for him. “I want to be a big brother. I want to teach Potato how to ride horses and listen to the ridiculous things that you and Georgia talk about and hang out with my friends who don’t try and show off all the time.”

“If we leave, I can’t come back to LA with you again,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I don’t want to come back. I mean, if Mom wants me to come visit, I’ll try, but I’d rather be with you.”

“Oh, Luke. I’m so sorry.” I bring him in for another hug. It breaks my damn heart that Kari is such a terrible mom.

“I am too, Dad. I…I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Can we go home now?”

“Hell, yeah, we can.”

There is nowhere else I’d rather be than Pinecrest. I will do whatever it takes to win Georgia back. To show her I’m not leaving again.

Not without her—and my family.

Chapter Forty

GEORGIA

For one of the first times, I don’t want to go to the ranch. Being around Queenie has always been good for my soul, but I’m not sure even she can help me today. Today, my tired and exhausted body is screaming at me to stay in bed.

But I can’t. Showing up is what I always tell the kids. It’s half the battle. Staring at myself in the mirror, everything I’ve been through the last few weeks is written on my face.

Luke wanting to go home to LA. Grant leaving with him. Having to go to appointments on my own. It’s the most heartbreaking thing to want to bask in the glow of the ultrasounds, but having no one to do it with.

I went from never needing anyone to relying on Grant. I didn’t want to be that person, but here I am.

I get dressed as fast as I can. The closer I get to my due date, the slower I am. I haven’t seen my feet in weeks and I feel like a whale.

By the time I get to the ranch, I’m exhausted. The only redeeming factor for today is I at least have some time before the kids come. With Gail starting to take over the lessons under my observation, today should be an easy day.

The barn is sweltering by the time I waddle inside. Even though it’s freezing outside, exerting any effort is hard for me. I scoop all my hair back into a ponytail and settle into my desk chair to start working on lessons for Gail.