Page 96 of Fierce-Baker

Thoughts should be running through his brain, but instead it was just blank.

He felt the anger in his bones, the frustration, the annoyance, the lack of being able to do anything to change this situation.

Or change it the way it should be.

“Everything okay, Baker?”

His head lifted slowly, his eyes landing on Jolene standing there, a concerned look, not a humorous one. Not one where she came to ride his ass and find out what was going on in his personal life.

This was the kind of mother he would have wanted in his life.

One who could turn things on and be a caring, supportive parent, even if she was busting his ass in the process.

“Yeah,” he said, pushing himself back in the chair to stand.

“Nope,” Jolene said, shutting the door and sitting across from him. “Keep your butt there and talk to me.”

He forced a smile. “I’m good.”

“Says all my kids when they aren’t. I mean it. You don’t have to tell me exactly what is going on, but we can just chat if you want to get in a better head space. I won’t even bug you about Tasha and that was the reason I came in.”

“Wow,” he said. “I’ve got a free pass today?”

Her scrunched-up nose said maybe she wouldn’t consider it that. “Fine. Free pass. You’re looking a little down.”

Which was kind of sweet of her in her own way.

But there was a reason everyone let Jolene get away with what she did.

This, right here.

That at the root, she really cared.

“Nothing more than family drama.” He crossed his arms. “I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of it. Or you cause it.”

The wink sent his way told him what he expected. “My kids will always say that. I just want everyone to be happy. There isn’t anything wrong with that is there? Isn’t that what every mother wants?”

“Not all of them,” he said, his voice drier than the wheat in the bags on the production floor.

“I’m going to let you in on a little secret about motherhood,” Jolene said. “We’re scared. All the time.”

He frowned. “Of what?”

“Of everything,” Jolene said simply. “That our kids will get hurt. Get sick. Be lonely. Unhappy. Left behind. That they won’t find their place or their people.” She paused, her voice softening. “But if I’m honest? The biggest fear is losing them. Saying or doing something that pushes them away.” She sighed. “That fear makes us do stupid things sometimes.”

“Even you?” he asked, one eyebrow lifting.

“Especially me.” Jolene smiled without apology. “But my kids know I mean well. They know where my heart is. I can’t speak for your mother—or any other mother—but I’d be willing to bet it’s the same place.”

“My mother isn’t anything like you, Jolene.”

Jolene scoffed lightly. “Baker, honey, there’s no one else like me. I take great pride in that.”

He laughed. And just like that, the tight knot of family tension in his chest loosened. His heart followed.

“I don’t doubt it. And for that unsolicited therapy session, I’ll say thank you.”

Jolene stood. “What are you thanking me for?”