35. Peyton

PEYTON

" T o answer your question, Kade and I were never close," Skye began. "That may surprise you, given Mac and I want to name our son after him. Maybe that's the reason I suggested it in the first place."

"I didn't really know anyone in your family until I met Brodie. Kade never gave me the impression he was close to any of you, at least not like I am to my parents."

Once she said the words, she regretted them as Skye's eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry if I've upset you."

"No, it isn't what you said. It's more that his behavior always bothered me. He was never around, and then when he would come home, he'd turn right around and leave."

Peyton still felt guilty. "He spent a lot of his time with me. It makes me sad to think I kept him from his family."

"You didn't. If he wasn't with you, he would've been somewhere else." Skye sighed and looked out over the vineyards. "Before he met you, he wasn't around either. It isn't something you should feel sad about. Maddox is the only one who really got to know him. Kade spent more time with our brothers than he did with Ainsley and me, but I don't think Naught or Brodie would say they felt close to him either."

"Your family has been so accepting of me…"

"Why wouldn't we be?" Skye laughed. "I met you a couple of hours ago, and already feel as though I know you. You're very easy to like, Peyton."

"Thanks, but?—"

"Stop. I know you're worried about what we all think, but you shouldn't be."

Ainsley came out the front door and sat in an empty chair. "What's up, girls?"

"I'm assuring Peyton that no one in our family has any issue with her relationship with Brodie."

"Oh, God, no. Personally, I'm thrilled. The first of our brothers is getting married. I never thought I'd see the day! Wait, you are getting married, aren't you?"

Peyton laughed. "What time is it?"

"I don't know, around four maybe. Why?"

"Give us a few days. It hasn't been more than a couple of hours since he found out he's going to be a father."

"Oh, gotcha." Ainsley laughed.

"Where are all my girls?" Sorcha opened the front door and started to come out when Skye stopped her.

"We're heading inside now, Ma. Ready, Peyton?"

When Peyton stood, Sorcha rested her hand on Peyton's cheek. "You're one of my girls now too, lass."

"Thank you, Mrs. Butler."

" Sorcha , please. You have a choice. You can call me Sorcha or Ma, whichever you prefer."

"Call her Ma. Everyone does," said Ainsley.

Peyton felt the emotion of the day weighing on her, something Brodie picked up on when he met her near the front door.

"What would you like to do, sweetheart? Go upstairs and rest?"

"I'd rather go home, Brodie. Can we, please?"

"I'd prefer it too, Peyton, but I think we should talk about how this is going to work. I'll need to stay with you."

"I don't care what anyone thinks, Brodie. I've spent too much time worrying about it. I just want to go home."

"You got it."