Page 100 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
“That’s awesome!” I pretended to be shocked even though we’d already arranged for Michael to distract Coby so that Hunter and I could talk to the others about the custody case. “You just have to eat a big dinner first so you’ve got lots of energy, okay?”
“Okay.” Coby smiled wide, then ran off toward the bathroom.
I watched him until he disappeared, memorizing everything about the way his hair flopped when he ran. What would I do without him? I wouldn’t make it. That little boy was my entire world. The idea of him spending even one night away from me and with that woman was too much to bear.
My nose started to sting and my eyes watered as I took a seat at the table. Pinching some skin under the hem of my shorts, I squeezed tight and twisted. I swallowed an “owie” and let the pain snap me out of my pity party.
The self-punishment I’d once used to stop saying “like” now stopped me from crying in front of Coby. When he was at daycare or asleep, all bets were off, but I’d worked diligently to keep it together in front of him. As far as my son knew, life was good. He didn’t know a thing about this custody hearing and wouldn’t unless the unthinkable happened and he was forced to meet his “grandmother.”
A snarl formed on my lips.
Eleanor Carlson was the devil.
I didn’t hate many people, but I hated that woman for trying to take my son.
“Uh-oh,” Michael teased as he sat in the chair across the table. “I bet I know who that look is for.”
“Yep,” I muttered and dropped my snarl. “This looks great, Mom.”
She set down my favorite potato salad. “Thank you. Eat as much as you’d like.” She was worried about the five pounds I’d lost this month and had been going above and beyond to make my favorite foods and drop them by the loft.
“I will.” Since I hadn’t eaten anything all day, I was actually hungry for a change.
“I’m starving,” Dad said, sitting at his regular seat at the head of the table. He reached for a huge scoop of potato salad but then paused, sighing as he dropped the scoop and went back for a smaller portion, plopping just a dollop onto his plate.
“I’m proud of you, Dad.” He’d lost nearly twenty pounds since his heart attack two months ago.
“Me too,” Sabrina said as she sat down.
He smiled at us both. “Thank you, girls.”
Everyone else took their seats at the table, Hunter and Coby each taking a chair at my side, and after Coby said grace, we all dug in for a delicious meal. Conversation was quiet as we all scarfed until Beau broke the silence.
He cleared his throat and covered Sabrina’s hand on the table. “We’ve got some news.”
Forks and spoons clinked on plates and all eyes landed on my brother, whose face was split in a silly grin.
“You’re pregnant!” Mom shrieked, standing from her seat next to Dad.
“Jeez.” Dad winced and rubbed an ear. “Marissa, would you let them talk?”
She stayed on her feet and stared at Sabrina, waiting.
Finally, my sister-in-law put Mom out of her misery. “I’m pregnant.”
“Yes!” Mom’s hands flew toward the ceiling.
Cheers filled the dining room.
“Congratulations!” I clinked my Dr. Pepper can with Beau’s beer and Sabrina’s water.
When I turned to Hunter, he winked at me. If I hadn’t already been smiling, I would have by reflex. That wink had been the catalyst for most of my smiles this past month, so he’d give it to me at least once a day. Besides offering me comfort, making me smile had become Hunter’s mission in life.
“I love you,” I mouthed.
His eyes softened. “Love you too.”
We both turned back to our plates, and per Mom’s request, I ate a second helping of potato salad while we all fussed over Sabrina and offered up baby names.
