For the best.
First Cody tells her that and now her mom. She didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t believe it. She’d never believe anyone would be good enough for Cody. No one would love him more than she did.
But he didn’t care. Neither did her mom.
“You’re so young. You’ve got plenty of time to find the right person and fall in love.”
She supposed that love and friendship just wasn’t enough for some people. Not her. She’d have jumped at the chance to marry Cody. But she wouldn’t use her pregnancy to get something that her mother and Cody thought wasn’t enough.
“Then you understand my absence. I’ve moved on, and I’m letting him do the same.”
“Come home the weekend after next for a visit. He won’t be here. They’ll be in San Antonio for a benefit Cody has to attend. Come to the ranch and let your mom spoil you for a few days. We’ll go horseback riding.”
“You hate horseback riding.” Not that it mattered, because she shouldn’t be on a horse in her condition and she wasn’t going home.
“But you like it, and I’d go with you just to spend some time alone with you. I’m worried about you, honey.”
“I’m fine, Mom. In fact, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Have you decided to come to the wedding? I would love to see you two being friends again. But I understand if it hurts too much.”
Watch the man she loved marry another woman. Never going to happen. “I’m not coming to the wedding, Mom. That isn’t what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Then perhaps you can find another way to mend this rift between you two, so you can at least be in the same house together at some point.”
“I’m not punishing him.”
“I didn’t say you were. I hate seeing what’s happened between you. I want my girl to come home when she wants to and not have to step lightly because Cody is here, too.”
“Not just Cody, Mom. Kristi. His soon-to-bewife.”
“Yes, they’ll be married, and you’ll have to live with it.”
Her mother didn’t mean to sound so harsh. She missed Brooke and wanted her to come home. Brooke’s absence and silence had pushed her too far, and Brooke was sorry for it.
She didn’t pile on with her troubles.
“I have to go, Mom. I’m meeting some friends at the café for a study group. I’ll call again soon.” She couldn’t tell her mom. Not right now. Not when things were strained like this. If she told her about the stalker, she’d insist Brooke come home. If she told her about the baby, she’d go straight to Cody. She’d expect Cody to do the honorable thing, and Brooke wanted more than honor. She wanted love. For her and the baby.
Chapter Thirty-Two
"Tonight at six on KNTB News, three recent attacks on women at the University of Texas at San Antonio have prompted school officials to ask all women on campus, especially those with long dark hair, to use the buddy system. Join us at six for the full story."
Cody caught the news update just as he walked into the living room and found Susanne sitting on the sofa watching TV. He immediately thought of Brooke as the threat sparked endless nightmares of what could happen to her. Was she being careful? Did she know about the attacks?
Campus security would step up patrols. He hoped they caught the guy soon.
Brooke had lots of friends. She would follow the advice of the police and security on campus. She was smart. She wouldn’t do anything to put herself in jeopardy.
Suzanne noticed him standing there. “Did you hear about the trouble up at the university? Someone is attacking women with long dark hair. Three girls have been assaulted.”
“When is the last time you spoke to Brooke?”
“Nearly two weeks ago.” Susanne frowned. “It seems the longer she’s gone, the less I hear from her.”
“Call her. Make sure she’s okay.”
Susanne pulled out her cell and made the call. “She hardly ever answers her phone anymore.”
