CHAPTER 19

With one last push, I left the woods and arrived in Conor’s yard. My stomach churned with nervousness, because I had no idea what kind of reception I was going to get when I walked into the Conor household.

Conor opened the back door and waved me over. He came down the porch steps. “Get her out. I’ll lift the stroller.”

“I’m never doing that again,” I warned him. “That was impossible.”

He half-rolled his eyes. “I’ll push her back.”

Damn straight you were. “Thanks,” I said once he was picked up the stroller.

I lifted Milka up the steps and set her on the top. Conor grabbed her bag and held out his hand. Milka reached out and wrapped her chubby fingers around one of his, and I wrapped my arms around myself.

Shit. I wanted to be anywhere but there.

I followed him to the door but paused in the doorway. Leah was already there, making Milka giggle, but only his mom, Diana, was in sight.

“Chloe!” She took off her oven mitts and turned to me. “How are you, darlin’?”

Her arms came around me in