“I don’t know, but I bet Emma invited her. She’d asked me, and I said I didn’t care one way or the other. When Em didn’t say anything, I assumed she’d decided not to do it.”
Noah’s mother was moving toward us now, her eyes steady on her son. I felt as though I was in the middle of a play and didn’t know my next lines.
“Noah.” Mrs. Spencer hesitated a foot away from my chair, her eyes glued to her son. “I’m sorry I’m late. My flight was delayed—I was supposed to get in last night, but thanks to the tornados in Indiana, they canceled that one and put me on one this morning. I had hoped to be here before the party began.” For the first time, she glanced at me and seemed to suddenly remember that she was holding a basket. “Oh. Here you go, dear. I hope you like everything. It’s from the girls—Noah’s sisters, and his brothers’ wives, too—and Dad and me.”
“Thank you.” I reached to take it, but Noah beat me to it, accepting the weight before I could.
“Sit down,” he directed. “I’ll help you get it undone.”
Emma found an empty chair for Mrs. Spencer and set it down near me. I noticed that she was clinging to her small black handbag as though it was a life preserver.
I leaned over to touch her hand. “I’m so happy that you’re here. I didn’t know that Emma had invited you, but I’m glad she did.”
Noah’s mother blinked rapidly at me. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to come or not. I know that things have been—difficult. But I wanted to do this.” She slid a glance toward her son. “I wanted to see you both.”
Noah coughed, and I knew he was covering up emotion. “I’m happy that you’re here, too, Mom.”
She bit down on a trembling lip. “I’ve missed you so much, Noah. I know I haven’t been—I know you were unhappy with me. And I shouldn’t have been so pushy about—well, anything. I hope you know it’s out of love. That’s not an excuse—but it’s my reason.” She looked at my middle, and her gaze softened. “Pretty soon you’ll understand just how much you’ll do for your own child. Sometimes parents can be a little crazy when we think we know best.”
I cradled my baby bump and lay my hand over Noah’s. “I don’t have any hard feelings, Mrs. Spencer. I hope that you’ll be part of the baby’s life. He or she won’t have any grandparents from my side of the family, so I’m counting on Noah to supply our child with extended family.”
For the first time since she’d arrived, Mrs. Spencer’s smile seemed genuine and sure. “Oh, goodness, we have family in spades. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins . . . you name it. We’re all so excited about the baby.”
I didn’t know what to say next, and Noah seemed to have been struck mute. Needing something to do, I began to remove the bow from the basket and unpack the gifts, exclaiming over each one, pointedly showing them to Noah. He nodded or forced a smile, but I could feel his tension.
When the basket was empty, Mrs. Spencer cleared her throat and turned to face her son. “Noah—do you think we could go for a walk? I’d like the chance to talk with you.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front Alison. I’m not keeping any secrets from her. And what you said to me hurt us both.”
“But Ididsay I was—” His mother tried to speak.
“You tried to smooth it over. That’s not saying you’re sorry. It’s not admitting that you know you were wrong.”
“Oh, Noah,” I began, protesting, but Mrs. Spencer shook her head.
“No, dear, he’s right. I owe you both more of an apology than I’ve offered.” She straightened. “Iamsorry. I was out of line when I said what I did about Alison, and I understand that I overstepped my boundaries. I hope you can forgive me.”
As apologies went, it was simple but heartfelt. I waited to see how Noah would respond.
He blew out a long gust of breath. “Thank you, Mom. I appreciate that. And I . . . well, I have to say that I’m sorry for yelling at you when I was in the hospital. For kicking you out of my life. I was angry at the world, and I took it out on you.”
His mother smiled. “I forgive you, too.” She reached for my hand and for Noah’s. “Now . . . can we start over? Please?”
To my relief, Noah smiled, and it was like sunshine after a long spell of rain. “Yeah. That sounds like a good idea.”
He stood up and wrapped his mom in one of his signature Noah bear hugs, and once again, I felt myself getting misty.
Emma was suddenly at my elbow, passing me a box of tissues while sniffling suspiciously herself.
“I hope I did a good thing,” she murmured to me.
I turned to give her a side-long hug with one arm.
“You did, Em. You did a very good thing.”
Chapter 11
Noah
