Page 14 of Bridles and Bribery

“Thanks for the warning.” Jillian was glad he was cool with the idea of his mom sticking around, especially since she was about to turn in her two-week notice at work. She wasn’t yet sure how she was going to fill all the extra time she was about to have on her hands.

“Keep an eye on her,” he warned in a teasing voice. “She’s single again. I wouldn’t put it past her to start angling for husband number six. I think.” He drew his eyebrows together. “It’s hard to keep count.”

Jillian couldn’t blame him for losing count. That was a lot of husbands to keep up with. No wonder his mother was so unhappy. It sounded like she’d been looking for love in all the wrong places. “Maybe I should take her to church with me.”

“Good luck with that,” Dave snorted. “To this day, she’s still angry with my dad for dying so soon and angry with the Lord for letting it happen.”

“But she’s back in Heart Lake,” Jillian reminded. “It’s a start.”

“Maybe. Just don’t get your hopes up too high in her direction.” Dave paused beside her while rolling his suitcase to the door of their bedroom. He reached out to gently pinch her chin. “The one thing my mom is good at is leaving.”

What he left unsaid tugged at her heartstrings. His mother’s refusal to be a bigger part of his life must hurt. “I’m tougher than I look, Dave. With or without help, I’ll be okay holding down the home front in your absence. That’s one thing you can cross off your worry list.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized how dumb they sounded. His fears about her safety were the biggest reasons he was leaving town.

He didn’t call her out on it, though. All he did was run his thumb across the underside of her chin before dropping his hand. “You’re one of the strongest people I know.” Indulgent pride rang in his voice. “Like it or not, though, you’re mine to worry about now, babe.”

They made their way down the hallway into the great room, where they found his mother with one slender leghiked up against her chest. Her bare foot rested on the edge of the sofa. White tissues were wedged between her toes.

She waved a bottle of bright red nail polish at them. “Pedicure crisis,” she complained. “Though I don’t remember stubbing my toe, I chipped a nail somewhere between your office and here. If I can’t fix it myself, y’all will have to recommend a good nail salon to me.” She made a face. “Assuming they have any good nail salons in a town this size.”

Dave leaned over her to kiss her forehead. “Yes, we have decent nail salons here in Heart Lake, Mom.”

“Like you would know,” she retorted witheringly. “When was your last mani-pedi?”

“A while ago.” He chuckled.

“You mean never,” she shot back.

“Yeah. That.” He straightened, giving Jillian an I-tried-to-warn-you look.

She sent him a smile of reassurance. Despite her mother-in-law’s griping, Jillian hadn’t failed to note how she’d leaned into her son’s kiss. Eloise Phillips adored her only child more than she let on. A lot more.

“I love you, Mom.” Dave gently pressed a finger into one corner of her frowning lips and tugged it upward.

“You’d better.” She looked like she was struggling to hold back a chuckle as she swatted his hand away. “I flew a long way to come see you.”

“Be nice to my wife.” He wagged a finger in warning at her. “By nice, I mean don’t run her off while I’m out of town.”

“I’m always nice.” His mother adopted an innocent expression, casually fluffing her short white hair. “Just ask anyone besides my ex-husbands.”

“Nah, I’ll take your word for it.” Dave didn’t look overlyconvinced. He beckoned Jillian to accompany him to the front door. “Gil’s taking me to the airport, so I won’t have to leave one of our vehicles there.”

“Tell him I said thanks.” Though she hadn’t known Gil for long, she’d already decided he was an incredible person, a king among best friends. The better she got to know him, the more she found in him to respect and admire.

Dave stepped closer to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “He’s your go-to guy while I’m away. If you need anything, and I mean anything, call him. Rain or shine. Day or night.”

“Okay.” The worry lines were back on his forehead, making her long to soothe them away.

“If you can’t reach him, call Lonestar Security.” He drew a finger down her cheek. “If Gil’s out on an assignment for them, they’ll know how to get in touch with him.”

“I will,” she promised.

“I’ve got a digital copy of the paperwork you signed at the surrogacy clinic.” He caressed her chin, tipping her face up to his. “I’ll read over it on the flight to Dallas to make sure everything is on the up and up with it.”

“I really, really, really appreciate you for doing this.” She probably should’ve consulted an attorney about the paperwork before signing it, but she hadn’t been able to afford legal counsel at the time.

“If you’re looking for a way to thank me…” His voice was teasing as he dipped his head closer to hers.

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