I hoped he’d heard me over Ida Jane and Loreen’s gales of laughter. I shifted, unsure if they were laughing at my expense, until Loreen dabbed her eyes.
“That little shit never saw you coming, hon. Maurice is not going to like the hot water he finds himself in. Messing with our family like that. Now, let’s eat.”
Chapter17
Ida Jane
My parents stayed for two days. Daddy had to get back for court, and Mama was bored because Maxim’s cleaning skills outshone hers. She’d oiled his kitchen sink and scrubbed the tile in his hot tub while I was at work.
We’d made a huge batch of apple butter, half of which Daddy stowed in his cooler. Maxim said nothing, but I knew he was sad to see it go. Like my father, he’d fallen in love with the stuff and I’d caught him digging the dregs out of a jar last night, his spoon scraping the edges, when he was supposed to be letting Blade out for his last potty.
Mama hugged me hard as Daddy stowed their luggage in his pickup. “He’s a good one, Ida Jane. A kind heart under all that bluster.”
I sucked my lips into my mouth, too emotional to speak. That Mama approved meant the world to me. When Daddy whispered his approval in my ear, I blinked back tears.
“Love you,” I choked out.
“Not as much as I love you. Don’t worry about this Green Card situation. Lance and I will get the whole deal sorted.” Maxim had introduced Daddy to his lawyer. When Maxim wrote him a check for a retainer-fee, Daddy tore it up, saying that Maxim taking care of me was better than any check.
The two men in my life shook hands, and I covered my mouth to keep in the sobs as I saw the respect and approval in both their eyes.
The visit had gone better than I’d hoped.Somuch better. And I felt more confident knowing that Daddy was doing all he could to ensure Maxim stayed right here in Houston, where he belonged.
Maxim had to fly out for another game, so I’d agreed to join Keelie and Naomi at Cormac’s to watch it. I didn’t want to be alone—not even with Blade. Dillon had gone quiet, which worried me. I only had a few days left on my restraining order, and the judge hadn’t yet turned it into a permanent one. Lance was working on that, now, too, so I didn’t have to go back to the courthouse.
While I was thankful for the reprieve, I wanted my legal status with Dillon handled.
I’d only briefly spoken with Keelie, thanks to my parents’ visit, and Millie was still not responding to my messages. I was getting worried about my bestie, but I had more pressing issues. Like what Keelie and Naomi would say about my rushed marriage to Maxim. Those two women who were fast becoming not just my friends but my family, and I cared about their approval. I inhaled sharply and rang the bell.
Blade sat politely at my feet. Even his tongue was in his mouth, as if he understood the importance of not messing up this moment.
“Hey there, girl,” Keelie squealed when she opened the door. By her blown-out pupils and loopy grin I was pretty sure she and Naomi had already been into whatever alcohol Naomi had brought with her.
“Hi,” I said with more enthusiasm than was necessary, causing Keelie to cock her head at me, a frown piercing the soft skin between her eyebrows. “What’s got you in such a weird mood?”
I stepped inside the house with Blade at my side, and Keelie stumbled back as she realized I had the dog with me. I’d told her I was bringing my dog and she’d been fine with it.
“You callthata dog?” she squawked, pointing an accusatory finger at Blade.
“Um…”
“And is that your wedding ring?” Naomi screamed from where she’d turned around on the couch. She pointed at my diamond-encrusted wedding band. “Wait, what the fuckisthat?”
Blade stood by my side, his fur caressing my leg. “This is Blade.” I trailed off, not sure if I wanted to say he was a wedding present. It made sense to Maxim and to me, but would other people understand? “I traded him for the security guards. He comes everywhere with me,” I finished lamely with a shrug.
Naomi and Keelie both shied back. “I haven’t had that much to drink. So, that animal has gotta be real?” Naomi whispered from her spot on the couch and lifted wide eyes to Keelie, seeming to need reassurance.
“Blade. His name isBlade. He’s a Tibetan Mastiff.”
“No shit.” Naomi took a long pull of her drink. “That didn’t help. Still fucking huge. Omigod! His teeth.” Naomi shrieked, hunkering down lower on the couch so just her eyes and hair were visible above the cushion.
“I didn’t think to lock Slippers away,” Keelie moaned, already mourning the loss of her cat as it stalked across the hardwoods, tail straight up and ears back. Keelie moved forward but stopped at the low rumble that emanated from Blade’s chest.
I’d been so wrapped up in everything that happened over the past few days and telling my friends about my marriage, I’d completely overlooked the very important detail that Keelie had a cat…a cat who was suresheran the world. This house was her dominion, and she had Keelie and Cormac bending to her indomitable will.
“I don’t know if he’ll behave around a cat,” I blurted, starting to hyperventilate. I tugged on his collar. “Let’s go, Blade.”
“My baby,” Keelie whispered as Slippers narrowed her pretty cat eyes and sauntered closer.
