Jules blinked and swung her bright-blue eyes over to where her mother stood. “I’m not. Just a little confused.”
Emma took a step in her direction. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Kyle told me he was offered a teaching position in the city, and he’s thinking of taking it.”
Emma took another step and raised an eyebrow. “I thought he liked traveling?”
Jules shrugged and pressed both hands against the mattress. “He does, but I guess he wants to try something a little more stable. I’m happy he’s going to be around, but I don’t want him to resent me for it later.”
Emma sat on the bed next to Jules. “Honey, I’m sure he won’t resent you. Why would he? It’s his decision, after all.”
Jules nodded. “I didn’t even ask him to take any local jobs…”
“But?”
Jules brought her head to rest in the crook of her mom’s neck and exhaled. “But I just worry about him. He loves traveling and being on-site to look at things. I hope he’s not rushing into a decision like this for the wrong reasons.”
Emma draped an arm over Jules’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “I’m sure he’s not, but why don’t you talk to him anyway? Tell him how you feel and make sure both of you are on the same page.”
It was easy for things to get lost in translation, and Emma didn’t want Jules getting caught up in her own head.
What good would it do?
Jules sighed. “I will. So, did you talk to Grandpa?”
Emma paused. “I did.”
Jules stirred and drew back to look at her. “And?”
“I haven’t made a final decision yet, but we talked about what it would be like if I stayed.”
And with Kyle’s new teaching job on the horizon, it was one less thing for Emma to worry about.
Jules wasn’t going to be alone in the city.
“I still have a case to wrap up after the holidays,” Emma added hastily. “I’d probably have to fly back a few more times for the trial and to get everything settled…”
Jules’s eyes widened. “You’ve actually thought about this.”
“I’m thinking about it,” Emma replied with a frown. “I don’t want to rush into anything though, and of course, if you’re not okay with this, I won’t move.”
Jules took both of her mom’s hands and squeezed. “I think it would be a great move. It gives you, Grandma, and Grandpa a chance to properly reconnect. You can help Grandpa with research, and I know you’ve been feeling stuck at work lately. Also, there’s one more person I know will be thrilled if you stay.”
Emma blinked. “Who?”
Jules gave her a knowing smile. “Jack.”
Did she sense a hint of disappointment in her daughter’s voice?
Or was she imagining it?
Emma had never spoken to Jules about moving on because she hadn’t imagined being able to. After Andrew, she’d been content to build a life around her career and her daughter. But now that things were changing, she was beginning to grow panicked.
What was she supposed to say about Jack?
Jules was never going to be okay with a man replacing her father, nor should she be.
And if it were anyone else, it would be unthinkable.
