“If only they knew what lurked inside of them.” Judd wiggled his fingers like an evil mastermind. “Shall we continue this weirdness over a fizzy drink?”
She put out her elbow for him to hook his arm through. “I believe we shall.”
He linked elbows with her, and they were off.
This. This was why he loved his life. He had a best friend to hang out with all the time, his niece and nephew to torment with his sense of humor, and he was never lonely. So why did he feel like something was missing?
Chapter 9
Wynn
If Wynn had known what was in store for her over the next week, she would have bottled up the Saturday morning with Judd and the kids so she could sip from it later like a refreshing Maui Wowie from Pop ’N’ Fizz.
Sunday was church. The whole Westbrook clan showed up at one time or another. Usually, the country cousins were first in the door—unless there was a rodeo somewhere. Then they’d attend in another town. Most of them were already in their seats by the time Wynn and Judd struggled through the door with two whiny children who wanted nothing to do with acting pious and everything to do with climbing up and down the adults as if they were playground equipment.
They filed into the row with her in-laws, though her mom-in-law was nowhere to be seen.
“Thanks for saving us seats.” Wynn sat down too fast for the wooden bench. She grimaced as her backside protested. She glanced back at the cousins across from them. “Where’s Wyatt?” she whispered to Judd.
He shrugged. “Sick?”
She pushed thoughts of the family drama they’d witnessed from her mind and glanced down her own row. It wasn’t any of her business what went on in Wyatt’s and Stephanie’s marriage, and she had enough on her plate to occupy her thoughts. Of course, if there was anything she could do to help, she wanted to. Prayer. That was the way to go. Prayer and an open heart.
Karen, Judd’s mom, climbed past them, pausing to kiss her grandkids on the cheeks. “You two grow every day. I’ll give you a cookie if you promise to stop.”
The kids giggled. Karen moved on to take her seat by her husband.
“No offense, but your mom looks worn out,” Wynn whispered to Judd over the top of Laney’s head.
“She’s agrandma,” Laney said indignantly and with enough volume that Grams knew they were talking about her—as did this half of the church. Karen leaned forward, looking past her husband, Birdie, and Anders to see what was going on at this end of the pew.
Wynn offered Karen a sheepish smile before mouthing the wordsI’ll tell you later.
She leaned back and waited for her face to stop burning. Only then did she take in the back of the person in front of her and realize that the woman was a complete stranger. Oh joy—she would inflict her restless children on a newcomer. That was fabulous.
Laney got on her knees and leaned into Wynn’s shoulder, getting right in her face. “Mom—did you bring church snacks?”
“Shh.” Wynn worked to get her to sit back down. “I have some mints in my purse.”
“I’ll get them.” Miles dove for her purse on the floor, grabbed the side, and lifted, spilling half the contents. The sound echoed around them.
“Let me help.” Judd grabbed Miles and set him on his other side before reaching for the mint container. It shook like a maraca and added more embarrassment to her overflowing plate.
By the time the meeting was over, Wynn was ready to grab her kids and run. But, like it always seemed to happen, fate was not on her side. The aisle clogged with people, and she was trapped as the stranger in front of her slowly stood and turned around.
Her eyes took in Laney hanging off her arm and Miles pushing Judd from behind. Her face suddenly softened. “Well, aren’t you the cutest little family.”
Taken aback, Wynn sputtered, “We are—”
“Don’t be modest; you’re adorable. I remember these days. It’s so hard to keep them quiet—you two are doing a wonderful job. These kids are lucky to have you.”
Wynn glanced at Judd and saw his face go bright red—the same shade it turned when Stephanie had turned him down for homecoming in front of the whole school. Wynn had told him not to ask during the pep rally.
“And you’re so cute together too—with all that blond hair between you.” She pointed back and forth between Wynn and Judd. “You’re picture perfect. No wonder your children are so beautiful.”
Wynn opened her mouth to explain. “Actually, this is their—”
“Nap time. I know. But they’re really doing well.”
