He snorted on the other end. “I’ve lived around a bunch of cowboys for years. Nudity is part of the territory. No need to let me stop you. I’m sure it’s freeing after living with my sister.”
“Yeah, right.” Did my laugh sound as nervous to him as it did to me? My last night on the couch with Clover claimed the forefront of my mind.
“See you at Christmas, Van.”
We disconnected, but I kept my phone, staring at it. Talking to Jasper had been a nice reprieve from the quiet house, but he hadn’t given me any new info on Clover.
Fuck it. It was snowing, and she was on the other side of town. I called her.
“Hey,” she answered, and all sorts of knots loosened inside of me at the sound of her voice. She sounded happy, and that was all I wanted.
Not quite all. Happy under the same roof as me would be better. Like she’d told my brother, I’m there for her. She just didn’t want me there with her.
“Hi. It’s snowing.” I winced at the way I blurted it out. “The forecast said four to six inches.”
“Yeah, I bought a couple of shovels. Different-sized ones.”
“I’ll dig you out.”
“You don’t have—” She sighed. “I’d appreciate it. I was maybe regretting getting the option with no garage.”
“If you have to get anywhere, I’ll pick you up.” Since I had the better vehicle.
“No. Nowhere.”
“Me either.” I draped my hand across the back of my neck and paced the hallway. I wasn’t ready to get off the phone. I had a long, Clover-less night ahead of me. “Your brother called. Jasper. He’s moving in the middle of January.”
“And then all the Dukes will be reunited.”
“Yeah. Elijah hasn’t bothered you since last week?”
“Not a peep, and no email. I’m going to be the sole parent. I mean, he can always try to prove his parental status, and if he does, well, there’d be no money in it for him.”
“So he’d have to be actually interested in his kid to go through that effort.”
“Exactly.” Another long exhale. “I might be a single mom, but I’m going to be a mama bear.”
“Good.”
“Yeah.” Dishes clinked on the other end.
“What are you making?”
“Spaghetti. I’m having a major carb craving. What about you?”
“No plans yet. Are you making meatballs?”
“I thought I’d work it into my busy social life,” she said wryly.
I didn’t mean to let my groan slip out. “Homemade sauce?”
“Actually, yes. I’ve had it simmering for a while, and now I have a portion set aside to cool and freeze.”
Hunger rumbled in my stomach, but it wasn’t the food I was craving. “Sounds good.”
“Do you… Would you like to come over?”
Yes. Goddammit, yes. But how much did I crowd her? She was being nice. Thoughtful as always.
