Debbie tensed, wanting to tell Cheyenne she didn’t have any right to expect her daughter to welcome her with open arms. Austin stepped up beside Savannah, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and Debbie sighed in relief.
Cheyenne stopped her advance. “You’re such a beautiful girl, Savvy. You remind me of myself when I was your age.”
Austin looked at his daughter. “Really? I think she looks like my mom. She definitely has Grandma Reed’s strawberry blond hair and button nose.”
Debbie bit back a smile at the way Austin put Cheyenne in her place.
He and Savannah joined them on the couch, and Debbie reveled in the feel of them being one big happy family.
Cheyenne introduced the kids to Tucker, who tugged at his collar repeatedly and greeted the children with, “How do you do?” and “It’s nice to meet you.”
Debbie wasn’t certain if he shared Cheyenne’s aversion to children, but he clearly wasn’t comfortable around kids.
“So what grade are you in, Savvy?” Cheyenne asked.
“I’m a junior.” Savannah’s voice came out quieter than usual.
“I remember when I was a junior. That was the year our football team took state, thanks to Tucker here. Me and my cheerleader friends had so much fun flirting with all the football players on that long bus ride. Are you a cheerleader?”
“No. I’m an artist.”
“Right. I saw your painting last night.”
That’s it? No compliment about her daughter’s talent?
Heat filled Debbie and it was all she could do not to spring to her feet and tell Cheyenne and Tucker to leave.
“I can’t believe how incredibly talented Savannah is,” Debbie said. “I love her style, and I’m very pleased with how beautiful her painting is turning out.”
“I’m so proud of her,” Austin said.
“Oh right. It’s a very nice painting. I’m sure it’ll be beautiful when it’s finished.”
Seriously?
Debbie pushed herself to her feet. “Well, as Austin said, Savvy and I have plans this afternoon. So what do you say we get the tour over with and eat lunch?”
So I can get you out of my house!
Austin would hate Debbie for what she was about to say next, but she needed to get away from Cheyenne or she’d likely do something they’d both regret. “Austin, honey, would you mind taking our guests on a tour of the house while Savannah and I finish getting lunch ready?”
Austin looked at her with wide eyes. His surprise gradually turned to a scowl as his brow lowered.
She gave him a pleading look before turning to their guests. “Like I mentioned last night, I haven’t done much decorating and the furniture, at this point, is pretty minimalistic. I mean half of the bedrooms are still empty.” She gave a light laugh. “So don’t expect too much.”
Debbie guided Savannah to the kitchen so she could try to build the girl up without it being obvious she was compensating for her loser of a mother.
CHAPTER22
Austin had no idea what he was supposed to say to his ex-wife and her husband as he walked them through the house they assumed he’d soon be sharing with Debbie.
He paused at the doorway to each room and let them go in and look around. The rooms were spacious with large closets, but like Debbie said, many of them were empty. When they reached a room that had sturdy wooden bunk beds with steps that doubled as a storage area, Cheyenne’s interest piqued.
“Is this the boys’ room?” She feigned a shocked expression. “Are you and the kids sleeping over already?”
“Debbie’s nephews sometimes sleep over.” He only knew this because Easton and Weston begged their mom to let them sleep over last week after the barbecue. “Dallas and Cody have their hearts set on finally getting their own rooms.”
It would never happen, because he wasn’t marrying Debbie, but she certainly had plenty of bedrooms.
