* * *
“You should sleep,Isabelle. You’ve got to be exhausted.” After stopping at a drive-through for coffee and a quick breakfast, we’re now in the truck on our way home.
Ignoring my comment, she asks, “Have you talked to Andi?”
“We’ve texted back and forth a few times. She’s having fun at Mom’s place.”
Isabelle smiles. “She’s such a happy child.” Reaching out, she squeezes my knee and releases it way too quickly. “You’ve done such an amazing job with her, Nash.”
I’ve heard that compliment before but never from someone I care about. Hearing her say it makes my chest puff out with pride. “Thank you, Isabelle.” Driving a mile or so, I decide to tell her about Ivy. “I met Ivy for breakfast yesterday.”
Her head whips around to face mine. “Oh?”
“She wanted to talk.”
“I bet.” Isabelle makes a scoffing noise.
“We didn’t even get to the breakfast part before I got up and left.”
Isabelle doesn’t reply. She’s turned her head to face me.
“She, uh, she wants us to get back together.”
“Duh.” Isabelle snorts. “If that came as a surprise to you, well—” She chuckles again. “—I thought you were smarter than that.”
Ignoring her jab, I continue. “She wants to spend time with Andi.”
“You don’t believe her?”
I shake my head. “I don’t trust her. She’s after something.”
Isabelle snorts a laugh again. “Yeah. You.”
Glancing at Isabelle, I give her a smile. “Well, I am quite a catch.”
With an arched brow, Isabelle agrees, “You are.”
“Not quite as good as you are. I’ve heard from everyone that I’m lucky you agreed to marry me.” Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. Isabelle’s face falls, and she turns back to face the road. “Isabelle—”
Holding a hand up, she shakes her head. “I know why you did it. It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not fine. I should have talked to you about it before I blurted it out at the bar.”
She nods. I guess we’re done talking about that. “So, what are you going to do about Ivy?”
“She threatened to take me to court. I told her I’d see her there.”
I expect her to laugh, but she doesn’t. “You’re going to need a good lawyer. Like you said, judges often side with the mother.”
I hate hearing those words out loud. “Ivy went to my mom’s last night trying to see Andi.”
“How’d she know she was at your mom’s place?” Isabelle rolls her eyes. “Of course she knew. I bet it was all over town about my dad and everything that happened.”
“Yeah, word travels fast in Honeywell.”
“It does,” she says absently. “What’d your mom do?”
“Told her to go home.” I snicker. “Mom was pissed.”
