He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. Was she trying to intimidate him? “Not pulling any punches, are you, Annette?”
“Am I wrong?”
“Nope. You’ve got it right.”
“Joshua, I want the best for Riley and for your coming child.”
“I’m sure you do. But we both need to keep in mind that what’s best for Riley is for Riley to decide…”
“Of course it’s for her to decide,” said Annette primly. “I’m merely asking about you.”
“In what way?”
“What are your intentions?”
Hisintentions? “Annette. I like you. But you’re stepping over the line here.”
“Perhaps. I do love her, Joshua. She’s brave and kind and good. She’ll do anything for the people she loves. She is my daughter in all the ways that matter. She’s also my dearest friend. And my business partner, too. And, well, has she told you yet that she will never get marr—?”
“Stop. Please. Myintentions, as you put it, are for me to share with Riley. Right now, I can’t tell you how things will work out.”
“But youcareabout her. You want to do right by her.”
“Yes, on both counts. But all that is between Riley and me. You can’t make our decisions for us.”
“Well.” Annette seemed thoughtful. “That’s unfortunate.It’s obvious thatIknow what you should do—and yet you won’t even hear what I have to say.”
She did have a point. And he could take whatever she dished out. “All right. Go ahead, Annette. Say what you came to say.”
“Thank you, I will. Convince her to marry you. Be a husband she can count on and a father to your coming child. Make a family—you, Riley, your two boys and the baby.”
“When you lay it out like that, it sounds so simple.”
“Because it is. Or at least it can be if both of you will just let it happen.” Annette pushed back her chair. “Well,” she said briskly, straightening her lavender skirt, smoothing her hands down the fitted matching jacket. “I suppose I can’t ask you to keep this conversation just between the two of us…”
He really did like her. A lot. “Nice try, Annette.”
“My goodness. She’s going to be very annoyed with me now.”
He didn’t comment on that prediction. He had no idea how Riley would react when he told her that Annette had been to see him—let alone, the things Annette had just said.
With a sigh, Riley’s mother-in-law turned and started walking. Josh followed her to the entry area. The dog trotted right along with them.
When they reached the door, Annette crouched to scratch the animal behind his floppy ears. “I think you’re going to love living here. Be a good dog.” The dog whined at her hopefully as she swept to her feet again. “Well,” Annette said to Josh with a brave little smile. “You’re a good man, Joshua. I know you’ll do right by my daughter-in-law.”
He nodded. “Drive carefully, Annette.”
“You have a lovely Easter, Joshua.”
“You, too.” He faked a smile as he thought of Shanehunting eggs at Lenore’s house, celebrating Easter without him.
He’d been invited to join them, of course. But he’d said he couldn’t make it. He’d learned the hard way that accepting Lenore’s invitations to holidays and family events inevitably led to her finding new and imaginative ways to show him how good life could be if he only would come to his senses and get back together with her.
“You take care, now,” said Annette with a regal nod as she sailed out the door. The dog followed her onto the wide front deck.
“Sit,” Josh commanded.
The dog whined in protest but dropped to a sit. Annette went down the steps, got in her car and drove away.
