Nettie couldn’t really handle Maverick. And she heard the worry in Chance’s voice when it was brought up. He didn’t want his son returning to that trailer.
Nor would she complain about not having time alone with her boyfriend.
“Long and complicated issues normally strengthen a bond,” Garrett said. “Especially when two people want it badly.”
There wasn’t much she could say about that. She didn’t know how badly Chance may or may not want things.
She wouldn’t assume either.
“We can only see how it goes,” she said. “But, back to work. I’m all in.”
“Glad to hear that,” her father said. “We’ll let you know when we are ready for the costs. Garrett is still in the talking phase and I’m going to check the building out with Gabe once we get to that point.”
She was fine with that. There was no reason for her to walk around looking at structural things that she wouldn’t understand.
“Sounds good,” she said, standing up.
She walked out of her father’s office and then popped her head into her mother’s.
“So you got it out there to the Fierces?” her mother asked.
“Isn’t that what this was all about?”
Her mother laughed. “I told your father you’d figure it out.”
She shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. It’s been over two months. He’s coming to a holiday dinner tomorrow. The fact that he has a child isn’t a secret either, but I’m not volunteering any personal information. I hope you and Dad didn’t either.”
“We wouldn’t consider it,” her mother said. “Don’t worry too much about it. How are things going with you and Chance?”
“Good,” she said.
“Only good?”
She sighed. “It’s been a rough few weeks. I think we are getting into a routine now. At least Chance and Maverick are. He’s actually an easy kid but very high energy. I think I’ve lost a few pounds and I’m not even working out as much.”
“That happens when you have a child. You’re getting out of work, picking him up several times a month, cooking and entertaining and then putting him to bed.”
“It’s tiring but not that hard. He can entertain himself for short periods. I’m more worried about him getting into something. I’ve got the spare room as childproof as I can make it and put the gate up if I need to go to the bathroom or can’t see him while cooking dinner.”
“See, you figured it out.”
“He’s in bed by eight, so I’ve got a little bit of time to unwind and he sleeps through the night. He’s not always easy to get up in the morning, but during the week he has to get up.”
If Chance was off and had Maverick that night, she knew the toddler got to sleep in longer and it gave Chance time to get things done in the house without Mav underfoot.
“All things every parent deals with. I can’t wait to see him tomorrow.”
“Has Jayce asked questions about Chance?”
“He knows who you are dating,” her mother said. “You’ve talked to him a few times, right?”
“Nope. I called him a few weeks ago and he never returned it. Just a text here or there. Nothing more. He’s been on the road and busy.” Which she was fine with, as she didn’t want to get into her relationship with her twin. But hated him asking her questions about it and then not returning her calls.
He could get protective out of the blue and it drove her nuts.
There was a time when she talked to her twin more, but once he moved, it was less. Maybe if she had a twin sister it’d be different, but Jayce was closer to Gabe than her.
“He can’t say he doesn’t know,” her mother said. “And he knows about Maverick.”
