Free Noah's Journey (Sawyer Brothers #3) by C. A. Harms Page B

Austin.”
    “Excuse me?” I asked as I peeked over her shoulder, trying to figure out what in the hell she was talking about. But from the position we were in, the house was not in my direct view.
    “Stacey and her parents came too,” Ryan said, confirming my worst fears.
    My chest tightened with jealously. Unable to speak, I just nodded.
    “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m sure there’s a rational explanation.”
    Again I could only nod as my mind raced with ideas of making an undetected escape. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
    A deep chuckle broke through the fog of my shock, and I looked up just in time to see Noah entering the barn carrying Austin on his shoulders. Close behind him was an older man with graying hair. The moment Noah saw me standing on the other side of Amber, his smile faltered. “Hey.” He stepped forward, suddenly forgetting he had company. “How was your ride?”
    “Scary,” I said without thinking, and he chuckled.
    I reached up and lifted Austin from his shoulders as Noah crouched low for me, then Noah took him into his arms. “Austin, this pretty lady here is a very special friend of mine,” he began as he closed the distance between us. “Alena, this is my son, Austin.”
    Happy at finally being allowed a proper introduction, I almost forgot his ex-fiancée was only just outside.
    “Hi, Austin, it’s nice to meet you.” I reached out to him, and he placed his tiny hand in mine. I gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure you’re ready to show your grandpa your favorite horse.”
    “Yes,” he said in the sweetest, tiniest little voice I had ever heard. My current foul mood wasn’t immune to his little-boy charm.
    I smiled, pulling my hand back and stepping to the side. “I think Storm’s been waiting for you,” I told him, and he whipped his head around, looking toward the stall that held his favorite horse.
    “Really?” he asked.
    “Yep,” I assured him.
    Noah lowered him to the ground, because at this point Austin was twisting around trying to get down on his own. Once his two little feet hit the dirt, he began pulling Noah toward the stall.
    “Don’t let me hold you up.” I held my hands up and watched as Austin tugged Noah toward the opposite end of the barn with his grandpa following closely behind.
    Once they were out of sight, I turned and began walking toward the house. My stomach dropped the second Stacey came into view. She stood just to the side of the steps that led to the back entrance of the house. The same woman from the store stood at her side.
    Tammy looked unsettled as I approached. “Alena, how was your ride?”
    “It was interesting.” I smiled. “I just need to grab my keys from the counter. I forgot I had a delivery coming this afternoon, and I need to get back to the store before I miss it.” I felt horrible lying to her, but I think she knew it was just an excuse, because the smile she returned was forced.
    I didn’t pause to acknowledge Stacey as I walked onto the porch and through the back door. Just inside, Olivia stood at the sink glaring out the back window.
    When she heard me grab my keys, she turned to face me. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
    “I have to get back to the store,” I repeated my earlier lie, feeling guilty once again.
    “Do I have dumbass written on my forehead?” Her question caught me off guard, and I just stood there in the center of the kitchen gaping at her. She was a sassy girl with a take-no-shit attitude. “We both know the real reason you’re leaving is her. But you shouldn’t let her get to you. If you do, she wins.”
    “It’s not a game, Liv. I just don’t feel comfortable. I don’t know the true reason why she’s here, but I feel like an intruder.” I let out a huff. “I don’t know the right or wrong thing to do here, I just know I feel like I should leave.”
    I was torn between staying and going. I wanted to be here, to share a day with Noah and his family, but I wasn’t