“We haven’t defined anything yet,” Holly responded. She liked that they were conversing as friends. She hoped Bethany would like to continue the relationship. “However, I think he likes me as much as I like him.”
“We could end up as sisters-in-law,” Bethany pointed out. “You have to come to the wedding. Be Molson’s date.”
“Sisters-in-law? I hadn’t thought that far,” Holly chuckled. “I think that’s a bit premature. We’re just starting to figure each other out.”
“I bet it was the bad boy image that got you,” Bethany mused. “I liked that about Drew. I also liked that he was a cop. It was two attractive things rolled into one.”
“I think it was that he couldn’t stop flirting or keeping his hands off of me,” Holly admitted. “Plus, he has a sense of honor. Molson wants to do the right thing. He’d committed to it. That really speaks to me.”
“Colborne men,” Bethany toasted her with her tea.
“Colborne men,” Holly echoed. “About my original question. What is up with their mother?”
Bethany rolled her eyes. “Drew won’t let me meet her.”
“Pardon? Why?” Holly’s brow puckered as she frowned.
“He calls her Wacko Margo and had outright said she’s crazy,” Bethany shrugged. “I get the feeling she’s heavily medicated for everyone’s protection. Drew’s told me some interesting stories.”
“What kind of stories?” Holly was starting to understand Molson’s hesitation to introduce her to his mother.
“Let me think,” Bethany tapped her finger against her cheek. “They were playing cops and robbers with her in the park once and she tied Jana to a tree.”
“And?” Holly prompted.
“They left her there overnight,” Bethany said ruefully. “The real cops brought her home. Margot lied and told the cops some of Jana’s playmates must have done it.”
Holly blinked. “That’s child abuse.”
“I get the feeling she’s not exactly mentally competent. I’m surprised they all survived childhood. Molson once mentioned sledding races down the stairs,” Bethany told her. “Every time Molson comes over, he eats like he’s starving. I ran out of milk once and he ate cereal with water. Told me it was just how mom made it.”
“That is beyond gross,” Holly couldn’t imagine the taste of soggy, waterlogged cereal.
“Considering how Drew was relying on Jana for food and Molson tends to rely on Drew for a stocked kitchen, I decided to start cooking something decent,” Bethany sipped the last of her tea. “It really is true. The way to keep a man is to feed him well. How are your cooking skills?”
“I might have to brush up,” Holly made a face. “Water with cereal?”
Bethany nodded.
There were screams of delight from the kids. Molson smiled with amusement as he knocked on Jana’s door. The party must be in full swing already for Jenny’s birthday. It sounded like they were having fun.
Miguel answered the door, a party hat on his head. “Molson. We weren’t expecting you.”
“Just wanted to say hi to the birthday girl and drop off her gift,” Molson motioned to the brightly wrapped, lumpy package he carried.
“Now is probably not a good time,” Miguel took off the party hat, closing the door behind himself.
“It’s Jenny’s birthday. When’s a better time?” Molson frowned.
“Jana’s not exactly happy with you right now,” Miguel reluctantly informed him. “We’ve talked a lot about you lately.”
“So?” Molson questioned.
“She doesn’t want you near the kids,” Miguel stated baldly.
“Say again?” he was certain he hadn’t heard his brother-in-law correctly. “She don’t want me near the kids?”
“That’s right,” Miguel said firmly. “We don’t believe you’re a fit role model to have around our children.”
