“Wait!” She ran to the door and stepped in front of him. “You’re not going to tell her about Rowan, right? Because remember, it’s my story to tell. You promised.”

He wondered if Piper felt this same pinch in the chest as he did whenever dealing with her siblings, like a thousand elephants had just run over him. He’d felt it with Rowan too. “And you promised you’d come clean. With everything.”

“I am. I will!”

“You do realize the position you’re putting me in, right?”

“But I’m the mama of your niece,” she said, going right for the emotional gut punch without remorse. “And you promised Rowan you’d take care of me.”

“Niece?” Cam asked, now feeling a different pinch in his chest entirely. This one came with an unexpected rush of emotion. “You’re having a girl?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, dipping her head, rubbing her stomach. “But I’m kind of hoping. I want her to have Rowan’s eyes.” She looked up again. “But also I want her to have my hair, because . . .” She waved a hand at it. “Well, look at it.”

Cam blew out a breath. “You’ve got to promise me you’ll tell Piper everything before I have to go back to the DEA.”

Winnie nodded.

“I want the words, Winnie.”

“I will. I just need a little more time to show her who I am, who I want to be. Then I’ll tell her everything. I promise I will.”

Cam looked at Gavin. “Look after her.” He left, crossing the properties to knock on Piper’s door. No answer. He walked past the cottages but didn’t see her working on any of them. But her car was in the driveway, so she was here somewhere.

He was quite certain that after finding out about the pregnancy, wherever she was, she wanted to be alone. She’d just had a big shock, and she was very used to dealing with those on her own. From a very young age she’d been responsible for just about everything. She’d buttoned herself up and kept her head down to make it all happen. She’d learned to be organized and type A just so Gavin and Winnie would make it to school fed and clothed, and the bills got paid. Frankly, he was in awe of her and all she’d done, and also proud of her.

But he wanted to be there for her, however he could. If she’d let him.

And that was a big if . . .

When he realized she was probably walking around the lake and that it’d be easier and faster to find her with the boat, he went back for it. He putted toward the north shore and caught sight of her from several hundred yards out. She was sitting on the tire swing, writing in her journal.