“Shit, is that a blush? Is he blushing?” Jill demanded. “I’m so screwed,” she groaned.
I’d say that was a very fair assessment.
“Let’s have dinner,” I cut in, wanting to save Ryker from his apparent misery.
He shot me a grateful look and nodded enthusiastically at my suggestion.
We sat down for dinner with no more talk of Piper and no one outwardly grimaced as they began to eat which I took as a good sign.
When the doorbell rang, I was surprised since we didn’t expect anyone else. I rose to answer it but Axel stopped me with a look.
“I’ll get it,” he said gruffly, scooting his chair back with a screech as he moved to the door.
I couldn’t stop my intake of breath when I saw who was on the other side of the door.
My mother stood underneath the porch light, clutching her jacket around her uncertainly.
“Please don’t turn me away,” she rushed to say.
Axel just stared at her in shock, unsure how to respond.
“What are you doing here?” Sal growled as he glared at our mother.
“Everyone just relax,” I commanded, holding up my hand for them to be quiet as I stood to move to Axel’s side. “Come in,” I beckoned after a moment more of deliberation. I was curious what she wanted, and despite how she’d treated me, I wasn’t prepared to turn her away cold on our doorstep.
She gave me a small nod and stepped into our great room, her eyes darting warily around the space.
“I can come back another time. It looks like you’re having dinner,” she nodded to the dining room table.
“We are,” I replied, noticing how her eyes clung to Maddox as she took him in. “But come in,” I added after a pause.
“What do you want?” Sal cut in again, having far less patience for her and her presence here.
Suddenly, her eyes shot wide before she composed herself. “You’re…expecting?” She swallowed, looking at Kat.
Kat nodded as Sal put a protective arm around her.
My mother clenched her hands more tightly around her coat, seeming at a loss for what to say. “You didn’t come to the funeral,” she commented finally, her eyes shifting to me and then to Sal.
“No,” I shook my head simply, as though daring her to challenge us.
“I understand,” she nodded, surprising me. “He’d alienated nearly everyone we knew toward the end. But he was my husband,” she shrugged dejectedly, showing a rare moment of vulnerability. “He was my husband,” she repeated quietly as though to herself. She took a moment, straightening her shoulders and clearing her throat.
“I told you the last time I saw you that I’ve had time to reflect since you’ve been gone,” she murmured, looking to me. Then her eyes swept to Sal. “And for you,” she swallowed. “I lost you so long ago.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realize how important it is to make that right. You two and the families you’re building, well, you’re all I have left,” she spoke quickly, as though rushing to get the words past her lips.
“Is this because you’re broke?” Sal cut in harshly.
“Sal,” Kat murmured in an effort to calm him. I was relieved she stepped in. Though I understood his hostility, it wasn’t helping at the moment.
“After everything your father did, that’s fair,” she allowed. “But no, I’m not broke. I started saving my own money years ago when I first suspected Richard was doing some questionable things,” she shared, referring to my father. “I had no idea you weren’t getting your money,” she shook her head.
“We know,” I assured her.
She sighed, her body deflating in relief that I seemed to believe her.
“I went to see your father,” she shared, turning to look at Sal.
Well, that was certainly a surprise. Sal’s father lived in Spain. I didn’t know the whole story other than she’d had some type of affair with him when she was young and fell pregnant with Sal.
