But it was sweet of him to act like he enjoyed the healthier meal her mother worked hard to prepare.Brooke saw her mom reach out to squeeze his hand, and he sent her a look full of warmth and affection.
Happiness filled her.When her dad died years ago, they’d both been devastated.She thought her mom might never move on, but slowly, over time, feelings started to develop between Lizzie and Alex.
Despite her mother’s attempt to hide the beginning of their relationship, it was impossible for Brooke to miss the lingering looks and casual touches they shared.Two years ago, they revealed the truth.Brooke hadn’t been surprised.Some of the Sterling kids were but everyone cared about her mother and were pleased they’d both found happiness together.
“So, the plumber will start excavating the day after tomorrow?”Alex asked, as he reluctantly scooped some brown rice onto his fork.
The plumber had been delayed on another ongoing job and Aiden hadn’t been eager to rush him, either.“Yes.It’ll take a couple of days, but he stopped by and used a sewer scope to locate the problem, so the damage to the yard should be minimal.”
“That’s good to hear,” Alex said.
Brooke’s mom cleared her throat, and all eyes turned her way.“I need to tell you all something.”She placed her napkin on the table and folded her hands together, no smile on her face.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”Brooke asked, her mother’s serious expression worrying her.
“Nothing!”Lizzie rushed to say.“It’s just that when the work on the gatehouse is complete, I won’t be moving back in there.”Her apologetic gaze slid to Brooke.
“You’re moving in here?”Aiden asked, while Brooke tried to process the implications.
“Yes, she is,” Alex said.
“Only if you’re both okay with it.”Her mother said in a no-nonsense voice.
HowdidBrooke feel about her mom taking such a big step?Not that it mattered.Lizzie was entitled to live where and how she wanted.
And when she let the news settle?“I’m thrilled for you both,” Brooke said, aware her voice held all the warmth she felt for them.
Her mom smiled, then turned her gaze to Aiden.“And you?”she asked.
He reached for her mother’s hand.“You don’t need my permission to move in here,” he said.“This is my dad’s house and his life.I want you both to be happy.”He smiled at her before releasing his grip.“Besides, I’m only living here temporarily.”
Brooke glanced at him, her stomach suddenly in knots.Was he leaving again when Jared returned to work?
“What is your plan, son?”Alex asked.
“When I first came home, I wasn’t sure what my future plans were and I wanted to spend time with you.”He turned his gaze to Brooke.“Now that I’ve decided I plan to stay home for good, I’ll start looking for my own place.”
She exhaled a long, relieved breath.Though he’d once again announced something huge in front of the family without telling her privately, this was very good news.News she’d have to trust in.A lot of changes had been revealed in one short family meal.
The mood was light and happy as they finished dinner.When the meal wrapped up, Lizzie recruited Alex for clean up, and sent Brooke and Aiden into the living room to relax.Or so she said.Brooke had a feeling her mother was giving them time alone.Though Brooke hadn’t had a private moment to tell her mother she and Aiden were dating, as she’d already learned, a mother sensed some things.
She followed Aiden into the living room, taking a seat on the couch.He settled in beside her, ignoring the space on the other side.
He slid an arm over the back cushion, behind her head, and turned to face her.“Now that your mom isn’t moving back into the gatehouse, are you going to stay?”he asked.
She shook her head.“I’ve been thinking it was time to move into my own place anyway.I have the money saved and I only stayed as long as I did so Mom wasn’t alone.She clearly doesn’t need my company anymore,” she said with a wry grin.
“So I guess we’re both looking for a new place to live.”
Her breath hitched at his words.Could he be hinting at them moving in together?
Before he could continue, his cell rang.He groaned, pulled the phone from his back pocket, and slid his finger across the screen to answer the call.“Jared?Everything okay?”
Brooke couldn’t hear his reply but Aiden’s sexy lips turned upward in a huge grin.“Okay, great.Brooke and I will be there right away.”He tapped the off button and met her gaze.
“Charlie’s in labor?”she asked, feeling the excitement as she spoke.
“She sure is.I need to tell Dad.”
