“It’s safe to say they’ve won her over,” Devon murmured.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“It wasn’t too bad.”Devon sat at the small table in his parents’ kitchen with the mug he’d just filled. “We had some pleasant conversations, and they were friendly the whole time.”
“So Hailey liked them?”
Devon nodded at his father and stirred his coffee. “She did. She recognized Rebecca. They had an apple pie, which didn’t hurt, and David is great with her. They raised a girl, so I suppose it was natural for them.”
Lydia leaned until she could see out the kitchen door. Satisfied Hailey wasn’t within hearing distance, she looked at Devon. “And how are they together? If they have issues after what happened to their boy, do those issues still rear their heads?”
“I think they’re used to putting on a smile every day, but I can’t say how they’re actually doing when it’s only the two of them alone.”
Lydia sighed and sat at the table next to Devon. “I can’t quite fathom it.”
He shook his head. “Believe me, I spent plenty of time thinking about what I would do if that was the outcome for Hailey, and none of my choices would have pleased you. I can’t blame them for doing the best they could, I just wish it’d been easier for Chloe. They don’t seem like a couple on the verge of a divorce, either, so it’s possible things have improved.”
“They take their vows seriously,” Don said. “Or so it seems.”
“It takes work.” Lydia covered Don’s hand with her own. “I see David all the time at the hospital, and he’s always warm with his employees.”
“By all appearances, they’re great people. All I need to know is whether they’ll be good to Hailey. I believe they will, regardless of what might happen to them in the long term.”
“I agree.” Don kissed Lydia on the cheek as he got up and topped off his coffee.
“So,” Lydia began. “Hailey has mentioned she wants Chloe to stay in her life.”
“She said that?” Devon asked, dubious that his daughter would use that phrasing.
She inclined her head. “Not in those exact words. It was more like wanting assurance Chloe will always come over and visit.”
Devon hummed. “You saw the painting she did at school with Chloe as part of the family. She loves her, and Chloe reciprocates those feelings.”
“Meaning there’s nothing standing in the way of you and Chloe being together.” There was nothing but ticking silence as Devon stared at his mother.
Finally, he sighed. “Nothing but my own issues, Mom.”
