“Thanks for keeping the house up; I’m sure it’s in wonderful shape,” Cordy said.And I’ll be changing the locks first thing.“Once the baby is born, I can make a plan to move in. My lawyer will draw up any contracts we need.”
“If you think it necessary.”
“It would be best for the baby.” Cordy set her hands on her belly.
“Yes, the baby.” Mrs. Saxon seemed convinced by that.
Cordy released a sigh. Finally, the issue of Reed’s house was settled. She had a place to stay now, probably for as long as she wanted.
She couldn’t help but look at Chance, laughing his head off at something Quint had said. The way his head tipped back, the broad curve of his smile made her heart hurt. She didn’t want to leave him.
Cordy breathed through the ache because she was being silly. This was the perfect opportunity to get out of his house. Their arrangement had always been temporary. Both of them were temporary kind of people. She knew that.
“I’ve already picked out the perfect room for the nursery,” Mrs. Saxon said. “It’s the front bedroom, airy and big with lots of natural light. And it has blackout curtains, so we can make it nice and dark when baby is sleeping.”
But I already have curtains.They’re yellow.
Cordy’s stomach, at least the part that wasn’t smooshed by the baby, twisted. Images flashed through her mind—Manila, Rabat, Dubrovnik, all places she could be in less than two days. Her almost mother-in-law could never let herself into Cordy’s house if she were that far away.
Cordy didn’t want to be tethered to this woman. Janet Saxon didn’t like her, probably never would, and honestly, Cordy returned the feeling. So why stick around and pretend otherwise? Cordy’s parents never would have. Cordy never had before, either.
But if Cordy left, her baby would never know Pierce, Ruby, Sam, and many, many others Cordy had come to love herself. Cordy wanted that for her kid. And she even wanted the baby to know the Saxons despite it all.
This was what staying would mean: having her friends near to love and support her, but also figuring out how to deal with the Saxons. Making room for the good and the not-so-good, learning how to make them fit side by side in her life.
“It sounds perfect.” Cordy knew the room, and Janet was right—it would make a good nursery. “I can’t wait to move in.”
“Good.” Mrs. Saxon twined her fingers together. Her eyes dampened. “It’s hard thinking of someone else in Reed’s house. But his baby should be there, even if he can’t be.”
Uh-oh. Mrs. Saxon’s face was dropping. Before she could dissolve into grief, Cordy grabbed her arm. The other woman was startled but didn’t pull away.
“You should try the broccoli salad Mrs. Ulker brought,” Cordy said. “I’ve never had anything quite like it. And the cake. You really do have to try the cake.”
Mrs. Saxon made a noise of agreement, her face brightening. Whew, tears averted, thank goodness.
From across the plaza, Chance caught her eye. He asked Cordy a question with a raised brow:Everything okay?
If Cordy indicated it wasn’t, she knew he’d be by her side immediately. He’d pull Mrs. Saxon away and save Cordy from dealing with her. He’d shield Cordy, just as he had with so many things.
She wasn’t alone, not with him around.
Cordy gave him a short nod.Everything’s good. I’mgood.
And she was.
twenty
Cordy knewshe was too quiet on the drive home, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Reed’s house.
She had to tell Chance. She couldn’t put it off anymore. He’d been so kind to give her a place to stay and partner with her for the class and everything else he’d done. She couldn’t keep taking advantage of him.
And yet, she couldn’t make her mouth form the words she needed to say. What a coward she was.
Okay, enough. She cleared her throat. “Thank you so much for the party. That was amazing. I’m so touched.” She glanced at him. “And you didn’t breathe a word.”
His grin was satisfied. “I was sworn to secrecy by Ruby. Man, I think that party was bigger than most Third Thursdays.”
“It wasn’tthatbig.” But it had been close. Cordy couldn’t swear to it, but it felt like the entire town was there. For her, her baby, and Reed.
