“Yep. She called me last night and confessed all.”
Riley didn’t know what to say. “Wow.”
He brushed a curl of hair back off her cheek. “She said she felt guilty for ambushing you and asked me to reassureyou that she really is sorry, and she won’t be pulling anything like that again.”
“Do you believe her?”
He made a thoughtful sound. “Time will tell, but yeah. She seemed sincere.”
“I’m impressed.” She turned in his arms, and he wrapped his body around her, spoon fashion. “And I’m wary, too,” she admitted. “Lenore makes me nervous.”
“I get it. Until lately, it’s seemed like she would never move on. But now she really is trying, and that counts.”
“You’re a wonderful, patient ex-husband,” she said.
“Yes, I am.” He grinned.
“And so modest, too.”
“Yep—oh and one more thing…”
She peered at him closely. “What now?”
“I told my mom and dad about the baby.”
She sighed. “How did that go?”
“You’re not upset that I didn’t bring it up to you first?”
“Josh. It’s getting to the point where everyone is going to know. I think you should just tell people when it feels right and keep me posted. I’ll do the same.”
He seemed pleased. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Good. How did they take it—your folks, I mean?”
“They were happy for us.” He gave her a weary smile. “And yes, they asked if we were getting married. I said we weren’t.”
“And?”
“They took it well, I thought. They said anything we need, just let them know.”
“Should I reach out to them?”
He pulled her closer. “If you want to. But there’s no need to feel obligated to do or say anything right now. They’re fine, I promise you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am. They like you. They always have. They will love our baby. They know that one way or another, you and I will make it work. Now, go to sleep. The boys will be up at the crack of dawn.”
She stifled a yawn. “I’ll reach out to your mom.”
“Whatever you think…”
* * *
Josh was ready the next morning when the door handle jiggled, and his son called out, “Dad! The door’s locked!”
On the pillow beside him, Riley’s eyes popped wide open. “Oh, no…”
