Chapter 22
Layne stood in front of the cottage and gazed at the sky. He basked in the sun's warmth as a gentle breeze blew from the west, bringing the last of the fragrant honeysuckle to his nose. He inhaled the sweet scent and released the tension in his neck. It provided him his first moment of peace in days, but it wouldn’t last.
Adalyn’s cheek remained pressed to his shoulder. The wind ruffled the tiny curls atop her head. Any second her arms and legs would stiffen, and a round of cries would follow.
The source of her stress remained a mystery. Her energy fluctuated from a peaceful hum to a vibrant staccato. Layne did his best to decipher her emotions, but the only one he sensed was concern. She blocked everything else, and that simple fact left him anxious.
He hesitated by the por
