Page 24 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

Everyone around the table sat frozen.

Emalee moved first. With a quiet word to Zach, she gathered the children. “Come on, kids. Let’s go see if Jack wants to play.” She herded them toward the door.

Bristol cleared her throat, her expression softer than before, more thoughtful. Zach opened and closed his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to start. Reid looked grim, while Trey stared at the wall over my head.

Embarrassment, anger, and sadness coiled together inside of me like a knot too tangled to undo. I fought back tears with everything I had.

“I’m sorry about that.”

I looked up and tilted my head at the man who tried to stop Cam before she got wound up. He was someone I hadn’t met, but his face was kind, and his brow was pinched with concern.

He touched my elbow lightly. “Come with me,” he said with quiet reassurance .

“She can be a firestorm, that’s for sure,” he said with a rueful smile as he guided me back into the kitchen, where he gestured for me to sit at the kitchen table.

“She’s protective, like her brother. She jumps first and thinks later.

That doesn’t make this okay, though. But Chase will straighten her out.

” He extended his hand. “I’m Mac. Cameron’s husband. ”

Ah. Now I remembered. He and Cam had been participants on the television show Renovation Station . Their work had been amazing, and I’d been surprised when they didn’t win the contest. Even Mason watched it, which was really saying something.

I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand and brushed away the moisture on my jeans before reaching out. “Anna. But I’m guessing you already know that.”

“I know your name, but not you ,” he answered. His grip was firm, and he gave my hand a warm squeeze before he let go.

“I work here,” I muttered, unable to hide the sarcasm.

He lifted a shoulder. “Sure. But that’s not all you are.”

“After this morning, I’m not so sure anymore.”

Mac’s smile faded. “Listen, she may be my wife, but what she did back there? That was far from okay. You didn’t deserve that attack, and she’s hearing that from Chase right now, and I’ll remind her of it later.

She’s got a good heart, but sometimes she leads from blind loyalty instead of empathy. Especially when it comes to family.”

I looked down. Cam was a lot like her brother that way.

“All I ask is you give her some time,” Mac continued. “She’ll come around. And from what I was told when we arrived, Cam isn’t the only one who stepped in it today.”

I snorted despite myself. “You’re not wrong.”

He snickered. “Chase clearly inherited the Allen communication gene. Someday, remind me to share the story of Cam’s communication fail. It’s pretty epic. But it led us to being together today, so it worked out. Same as it will with you and Chase.”

I wondered if someday I’d still be around to hear it.

Mac glanced toward the house. “Chase has clearly made his choice. You saw it. The second my wife crossed the line, he got her out of here. I’ve known Chase long enough to know he adores his sisters. In that moment, he didn’t even think. He chose you .”

I pressed my lips together, taking time to digest what he said.

He shrugged. “I’m not saying anyone handled today well, least of all my wife. But don’t let her be the reason you walk away. Or because he didn’t get it perfect, either.”

The truth of his words sank in.

He jerked his head toward the dining room and held out his hand. “So, what do you say? Feel like coming back in and proving to them you belong here? Because I gotta tell you, I want to try those biscuits before they’re gone.” He wiggled his hand encouragingly.

He was right. Chase and I could resolve our differences later. I didn’t know if Cam would give me that same opportunity, but I’d only prove her point if I let her drive me off.

I started to take Mac’s hand, but as we turned, I saw Chase standing in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room.

Mac gave me an encouraging smile, then went outside to find Emalee to tell her it was safe to come back inside.

“I messed up,” Chase said softly when we were alone. I read the regret in his eyes. The pain and fear that I would bolt.

“Ya think?” I muttered. “How could you do that to me? ”

“I didn’t know it would unfold like that. I thought…I thought if they saw us together, really saw us, they’d get it. That they’d see how happy I am.”

“You really thought this was the moment to spring me on them?” I asked, sharper now. “They haven’t had time to process the past like you have, Chase. You put me in a room full of people who resent me and just hoped it would go well?”

He winced. “You’re right. I should have told them sooner. I kept thinking I needed to wait for the right moment, but I was afraid they’d come after you when I wasn’t around to stop it.” He shook his head. “I was trying to protect you, but clearly, I went about it all wrong.”

I snorted. “You can say that again.” But then I softened, trying to help him understand. “I’ve had my voice stolen from me for years, Chase. Don’t take it away from me, too, even if you think you’re protecting me. I need to speak for myself. I have to.”

His jaw clenched, and his eyes filled with remorse.

“I didn’t mean to silence you,” he said quietly.

“And I sure as hell didn’t mean to let you down.

I hear you, Blossom. I do.” He tilted his head and gave me a wry smile.

“You picked one hell of a time to find your voice, but I have to admit, I’m fucking proud of how you stood up to Cam. And me,” he added sheepishly.

I sucked in a breath, startled by the truth of his words. I’d stood my ground with no fear of retaliation.

“I’m going to make this right. Come with me.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the dining room table.

Cam sat stiffly in her chair, her mouth set in a hard line. She didn’t look at me, but neither did she say anything. Mac gave me a wink .

Chase took a breath and faced his family. “I need to say something,” he announced.

Everyone waited in anticipation.

“Anna works here. That’s true. But she’s not just someone filling Marta’s shoes, although, as you can see, she does that pretty damn well.” He turned back to me. “She’s someone who’s been missing from my life for years. She’s someone who matters to me. Someone I care about. Deeply.”

I swallowed hard, thrown by the swing of emotions in the past few minutes.

“I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t want to listen to your lectures,” he continued, looking directly at Cam and Bristol.

“I thought if you saw her here, saw how hard she works, how much she cares, you’d come around on your own.

Instead, I made her feel like someone insignificant.

That’s on me.” He let his words settle in the silence, but then his voice dropped to a near growl.

“I don’t know what the future holds. But hear this.

This is my home. And while you’re welcome here, it’s with the understanding that Anna is a part of it. Part of my life.”

He turned to me, his voice gentling again. “I’m sorry for handling it so poorly. I hope you can forgive me. I will never make that mistake again.”

Silence filled the room. I glanced around the table.

Cam crossed her arms, her chin lifting in quiet defiance at being called out in front of everyone.

But a flicker of regret passed through her eyes, probably betraying more than she meant.

Bristol didn’t say anything, but she met my gaze with a quiet, steady look which I hoped meant she acknowledged her brother’s words, maybe even accepted them. Em’s eyes were glossy .

Chase stayed close but didn’t reach for me. He put the next move clearly in my hands.

I smiled tremulously at him. “Thank you.”

With a clear sigh of relief, Chase pulled me into his arms and held me tight. “I’m so sorry,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

I nodded against his chest. We could finish talking about this later.

“Well,” Mac said, clearing his throat with a pointed glance around the table, “I, for one, want more of those biscuits before Iain eats them all.”

That cracked the tension. Iain, who held a biscuit in his hand, grinned before he took a large bite. “Delicious,” he said.

His mother sighed. “How many times have I told you not to talk with your mouth full?”

“A lot,” he answered, still chewing, making us all laugh except Em, who rolled her eyes.

Slowly, the clinking of silverware resumed, and conversations picked up again.

I wasn’t really hungry, but I put a small portion of breakfast casserole on my plate and sat down.

“This quiche is delicious,” Em commented from across the table. “Your crust is so flaky. You’ll have to show me your secret sometime, Anna.”

I was grateful for her effort to include me in the conversation. “I’d be happy to,” I said with a shy smile.

Zach took a bite of a biscuit. “You should get this recipe for The Dogtrot,” Zach commented around his mouthful.

Emalee sighed and shook her head. “Like father, like son,” she mumbled.

“Uncle Chase, can we feed the goats after breakfast?” Iain asked, bouncing in his seat .

Chase grinned. “Speaking of the goats, I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” he and Lexi chorused with wide eyes.

“Well, in a couple of months, there’s going to be another goat.”

“You bought another one? Cool!” Lexi exclaimed.

Chase chuckled. “Well, not exactly. Turns out Dolly is going to be a mama.”

The kids erupted into cheers while Cam stared at her brother in confusion. “How did that happen?”

Zach shot her a wicked grin. “Well, you see, when a girl goat and a boy goat like each other?—”

He ducked when Cam threw her biscuit at him. Then he picked it up from where it landed on the table and took a bite of it.

“I mean, you have two females, and last time I checked, that doesn’t work,” Cam continued.

Chase laughed. “It’s Zach’s fault.”

A collective “ewws” sounded from the adults, while the kids looked puzzled.

Mac hooted. “That’s desperate, man. Em throw you out of the house or something?”

Even Trey chuckled.

Zach glared at him. “Get your head out of the gutter,” he said. “Someone dropped off a goat at the clinic. It needed a new home. Chase took it. End of story.”

Lexi squealed. “You got a new goat? What’s his name?”

“George,” Chase replied.

“And they’re gonna have a baby?” Iain asked with wide eyes. “How did that happen?”

Em groaned and rubbed her temples. She was going to give herself a headache from rolling her eyes so many times .

“We are not having that conversation at the breakfast table.”

I couldn’t help it—I burst out laughing.

Even Cam cracked a smile.

Lexi leaned toward Iain. “I think it means Dolly really likes George. But shouldn’t it be Martha who’s having the baby? I mean, those are the names that go together.” She seemed a little mystified.

That set off another round of laughter before Bristol cleared her throat. She glanced at Reid, who gave her a nod and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

Bristol cleared her throat. “Well, speaking of new additions, we have some news.”

Everyone’s fork dropped to their plate as they looked over with expectant eyes.

“Looks like come early November,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips, “we’re having a baby.”

The reaction was instant. Cheers rang out, and chairs were pushed back as everyone jumped from their seat to hug Reid, Bristol, and Lexi.

Only Trey and I stayed in our seats. I knew why I did, but Trey was family, although he seemed a lot quieter than the boisterous rest of them.

Eventually, when the excitement settled and everyone returned to their seats, Trey stood and made his way over to Reid. He shook his hand firmly, then gave Bristol a gentle hug. “Congratulations,” he murmured.

I waited until Bristol’s eyes finally met mine across the table. “I’m truly happy for you both. Congratulations. Here’s to your good health.” I lifted my glass of mimosa as a toast.

“Here, here,” several people said and clinked glasses .

Everyone returned to eating, but I slowly pushed what remained on my plate around with my fork.

Chase saw me and raised his eyebrows, but I gave him a subtle shake of my head. “I’m fine,” I mouthed.

He didn’t look convinced, but he let it go. He probably assumed it was from the earlier drama.

For now, I’d let him think that.