Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1) by Carolyn Brown

“Hello, everyone,” Pearl said. “This party is not about Addison or Mia or even me and Sonny tonight. This is Gloria Sue’s party to celebrate the birth of her new baby daughter, who will be here in about a month. So let’s get the rumors settled and let it be her night. To begin with, Mia is indeed Jesse’s daughter. He didn’t know until he retired from the service. Addy probably deserves a crown for having the best-kept secret for the past twenty years. To end with, neither Addy nor Mia are pregnant. They were buying presents for this shower last night when Lylah and Vivien overheard them talking. Now that’s settled, let’s let Gloria Sue open her presents and enjoy this event.”

“I don’t believe you,” Lylah whispered when Addy sat down right beside her.

“What’s that old saying?” Addy pretended to be thinking. “Oh, I remember: Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see.”

“If Mia is having my grandchild, I will get grandparent’s rights. I’ve already talked to a lawyer about Justine’s kid and asked for a DNA test,” Lylah continued to whisper.

“Be careful,” Addy told her in a low voice. “You could wind up supporting that little guy for eighteen years or else visiting your son in jail if he doesn’t pay support. She told you that she didn’t want anything from you or your son.”

“He’s not Ricky’s kid. I’m just proving it,” Lylah said.

“If he is, you could be out thousands and thousands of dollars in child support, plus lawyer fees, so be sure this is what you want, and not revenge,” Addy said and raised her voice. “Oh, look at that cute little romper. It will be perfect for the new baby girl.”

“Maybe Jesse should ask for a DNA test since you were so secretive about things,” Lylah hissed through clenched teeth.

“Now, you are getting into none-of-your-business territory, and honey, you don’t want to go there.” Addy smiled sweetly.

Lylah got up and moved to the other side of the room. Vivien followed right behind her like a little puppy dog.

The gifts had all been opened and displayed on a table, and the hostesses were serving refreshments when Addy’s phone vibrated. She fished it out of the pocket of her flowing gauze skirt, expecting it to be Mia, but it was Jesse.

“Hello, I thought you might be Mia.” She stepped out into the hallway, where it was quieter.

“I’m in the ambulance with Dad. He collapsed. He’s awake, but he can’t say a word,” Jesse whispered. “Bring Mama straight to the hospital in Bonham, please, Addy.”

“We’re on our way. Hang in there. We’ll be right behind you,” Addy said. “Jesse, this is a side effect of that trial drug. Grady will know what to do. Ask for him when you get there.”

“How do you know that?” Jesse asked.

“I studied every aspect of those drugs before Sonny started taking them. See you in a few minutes.” She ended the call and crossed the room to where Pearl was talking to a couple of the hostesses. “We’ve got to go right now,” she whispered in Pearl’s ear.

“Is it Sonny?” Pearl asked.

“Yes, but let’s just leave quietly so there’s not a lot of drama,” Addy said.

Pearl picked up her purse. Addy did the same and they slipped out the side door.

“What’s happened?” Pearl asked, breathless and paler than Addy had ever seen her. “Is Sonny okay?”

“Jesse’s on the way with him to the hospital. Sounds like he’s got stroke symptoms, probably from that trial drug he’s been taking.” Addy worked hard to stay calm and matter-of-fact as she got behind the wheel of her car.

Pearl clasped her hands in her lap. “Will he be okay?”

“If it’s just a side effect of the drug, he should be okay once it’s out of his system. We’ll know more as soon as Grady has had a chance to check him out.” Addy hated not to have better news, but she also didn’t want to make any false promises.

Addy got out of town and onto the highway and drove ten miles over the speed limit the whole way to the hospital. When she got there, she braked in front of the emergency room doors, but Pearl didn’t get out of the SUV.

“Addy, I can’t go in there alone. I’m strong, but when it comes to Sonny, I can’t imagine life without him. If it was a stroke, and he didn’t make it, I don’t want to be alone. Jesse will be in there. I know that, but I’ll have to suck it up and be brave for him and his brothers when they come home. I need you there to give me the strength to do that. Go on and park, and we’ll go inside together.” Pearl wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

“If that’s what you want.” Addy swallowed hard and drove to the parking lot. She thought about calling Mia but decided against it—not until she knew more about his condition.

Pearl opened the door as soon as Addy parked the vehicle. “I’m ready now. I might not like the news, but with you by my side right there at first, I can handle it.”

Addy tossed the keys in her purse and walked beside Pearl. The automatic doors slid open, and Jesse met them in the middle of the waiting room floor. He wrapped one arm around his mother and the other around Addy. “Grady’s back there with him now, but he said that you can go be with him, Mama. Dad still can’t talk, but he wrote your name on a piece of paper. I figured you’d be getting here about now, so I stepped out to talk to y’all.”