“What did she say when she heard it?”
“Nothing. She went quiet and walked away.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “The other times he’s been back…has she ever considered letting him back into her life?”
“Not once.”
“Good.”
Ben watched him closely. “It’s because of you, you know.”
“What is?”
“The reason she would never take him back. She hates herself for allowing you to be around him for eight years. And she hateshimtoo.”
“She said that?”
“Not in those exact words.”
Colt shook his head. “It’s not her fault. All the blame lies on the bastard.”
“It’s not me you should be telling.”
With a long exhale, he opened the back door.
That’s when he heard his mother’s words.
CHAPTER 14
It was worse than she’d thought. Far worse than she ever remembered any meal with Colt’s mother being. Usually, she saved her subtle digs for when Colt wasn’t around. When he stepped out of the room or was too busy in conversation with someone else to hear. Tonight, the woman either didn’t realize her insults weren’t so subtle or she didn’t care.
Indie cleared her throat as she used the tongs to move the meat from the plate to a container. “Dinner was lovely, Sylvia.”
“I thought you didn’t like it, since you barely touched what was on your plate.”
Yeah, well, stomaching food was tough when someone was telling you that you’re playing God for wanting a child. “I wasn’t very hungry.”
“Hm.”
It was the most disapproving “hm” she’d ever received.
Maybe this had been a mistake. She couldn’t make a relationship better if only one of themwantedit to be better.
“I’m sorry about Gordon.” Her words were quiet but true. Despite her dislike for this woman, shewasColt’s mother, andfrom what Colt had told her, she’d suffered protecting her son. “I’m glad you were able to separate from him.”
Sylvia paused, plate in one hand, tap on. “Colt told you about what happened?”
“Bits and pieces.”
The veins in Sylvia’s neck visibly tightened. “So you’re really getting back together with my son?”
Indie frowned at the question. At the surprise in her voice. Maybe even…disdain. “We’re making progress. Is that a problem?”
“As a mother, it’s my job to protect my son.” Sylvia didn’t look up as she rinsed the dishes in the sink. “I didn’t do such a good job for the first eight years. I should have left Gordon earlier. I should have realized he wasn’t going to change and put my son first.”
“You kicked him out when you could.”
“I could have done it sooner. But since then, I feel like I’m forever trying to make it up to him. All I can do is trust my gut with what I think is good or bad for him. The mom gut is strong and rarely wrong.”
