Page 24 of The Bride's Desire

He rolled his eyes. “Wow. Thanks, Mom.”

“But this is something you can fix. You two just need to sit down and talk.”

“That’s how I get in trouble,” he griped.

Carolyn grinned. “That’s normal for a guy.”

“Were you this hard on Dad?” he asked.

“Oh, I’d say harder because I had been with him for hours a day for years. I wasn’t going to put up with stupidity.”

Joe couldn’t help but grin at that because he rememberedthe “talks” his parents used to have when they didn’t know he was listening.

“So, what did you go into town for?” she asked.

“I had to go to the feed store and Naomi the drugstore. Why?”

“I just heard you were there, and it was the first time people in town had seen you together. You know how word spreads.”

He snorted. “Yeah, I do.” He’d never gotten away with anything because someone always saw and called his parents.

Joe walked behind his desk and sat. It had already been a long day, and he still had to deal with an emotional woman.

He didn’t know what he was seeing when he turned on the computer. “What the hell?”

“What’s wrong, honey?”

“Naomi must have used the computer today. She was looking for a doctor.”

“What kind of doctor?”

“OB/GYN. Do you think there is something wrong with her?”

“No. I’m pretty sure she’s okay.”

He looked at the history and became even more dumbfounded. “She was looking for a house in the area to buy or rent.”

His mother pressed her hands against her stomach. “Oh, dear.”

“Why would she do that?” It took him a bit, and then he realized what it all meant. “She’s leaving me?” God, the thought was so hurtful he wanted to yell.

“I’d guess she thinks you want her to go.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s bullshit.”

“I’m going to ask you again. Can you remember anything you’ve done that she might have taken the wrong way?”

He lay his head back and closed his eyes. There were a few things that might have made her think he didn’t want her. “A few.”

“Give me an example,” Carolyn said.

“I’d back off when she would touch me.”

His mother’s eyes narrowed. “Now, why would you do that?”

“Because I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, and I was afraid if I touched her, I wouldn’t be able to stop.”

“I’m glad you’re that attracted to her, and I’m guessing she is attracted to you, too.”

---