Page 73 of Josephine and Clay

I glance up.

Tessa is the first one I recognize, baby tucked close to her chest, her expression soft in that way new mothers have, like they’re still adjusting to the fact that something so small can take up so much space in their world.

Rose enters beside her, Ellie close at her side, Wyatt already trying to climb onto a chair that’s slightly too big for him.

Faith follows, Brooklyn balanced on her hip, talking as she moves, her voice light and easy as Lila asks endless questions.

They fill the space without trying.

Family.

The word lands unexpectedly.

“There’s so many of them these days,” Penny whispers. “The McCoys will take over this town at this rate.”

I try to smile, but it’s hard to when I have McCoys within me. “That’s one way to put it.”

Laura greets them like they’ve been expected, guiding them toward a larger table near the center of the café.

I try not to watch.

I fail.

It’s subtle at first. The way Tessa adjusts the baby’s blanket without looking. The way Rose reaches for Ellie’s hand automatically. The way Faith shifts Brooklyn higher on her hip mid-sentence without breaking the flow of whatever story she’s telling.

“The McCoy brothers’ wives seem nice,” I mutter to Penny.

“Oh, they are.” She nods enthusiastically.

I pick up my tea, taking a careful sip.

Don’t read into it, don’t compare, don’t…

“…I don’t know what we’re going to do with him,” Faith is saying, her voice carrying just enough to reach us. “His mood is just awful.”

My grip tightens slightly around the mug.

“He shouldn’t have been riding like that if he was that exhausted,” Rose replies, a note of concern threading through her tone.

“I know,” Tessa says softly. “But you know Clay.”

Clay?

Shit. Just hearing his name makes my heart thunder against my rib cage. Panic and paranoia claim me. How much do they know?

“He’ll be alright,” Faith adds. “Boone said the break wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. He just needs to get himself out of this funk…”

Break.

How the hell have I not heard about this yet in Buckhorn? This town doesn’t have secrets.

Penny goes very still across from me.

“Clay?” she mouths silently.

I nod once.

“Clay broke his leg?” she hisses. “How did we not know this? That’s not what he said in the message.”