“No, but in my case, it kind of makes me a glutton for punishment.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe he was living with her.”
“I’ll put a deputy on the cabin to watch the place, in case he returns.” After some pressure, Karen had said she’d let him know, but he didn’t believe that for one second.
His phone rang, and he pulled the cell out of his pocket and cringed.
Aspen straightened. “Who is it?”
“My mother.”
Aspen laughed. “You have a sane mother. We only cringe when mine calls.”
“She’s not going to be happy with me. I keep bailing on our family meals.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I’ve also been avoiding her calls, and I’m about to hear it.” He answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Jesse Michael Hayes. Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”
Jesus, she was middle naming him. “I’m sorry, I’ve been—”
“Don’t you say busy. You should never be too busy for family.”
“I know.”
“Youarecoming to lunch this Sunday. That’s not a request. It’s happening. Already have plans? Cancel them. Your brother and sister are coming too.”
“Okay.”
“Good. And no last-minute canceling like last time.”
“I won’t. But I’m bringing Aspen with me.”
Aspen’s brows shot up, fork pausing halfway to her mouth.
“Of course. I expected her to come. Are you two—”
“Mom.” He was not going to define what they were to his mother when he hadn’t even talked to Aspen about that.
His mother sighed. “Butt out. I get it. It will be lovely to see you both. Is there anything she doesn’t eat?”
“She doesn’t like salmon, but that’s it.” He’d learned that the hard way in Misty Peak, when he’d cooked it, and she’d paled.
“No salmon. Done. I’ll see you Sunday, darling. Remember, don’t—”
“Cancel. I won’t.”
“Good. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He hung up to see Aspen giving him a strange look.
He frowned. “Did I miss something? Is there anything else you don’t like?”
“No. I just… I’m going to your family dinner?”
“If that’s okay with you? If not, I could rain check.” His mother would kill him, but for Aspen, he’d do it.
