Page 40 of Bridles and Bribery

Eloise pointed at the fridge. “Right after you eat something. I threw together a few jars of refrigerated oatmeal and fruit last night. At the risk of sounding like I’m tooting my flute, they’re delicious. I already ate mine.”

“Toot away.” Jillian was already on her feet, moving toward the fridge. “There’s only one word for an already-made breakfast in my book. Amazing!” She wasn’t accustomed to being waited on, which made her mother-in-law’s pampering feel extra special. Not only was a small mason jar of the promised oatmeal and fruit waiting for her, Eloise had tied a red-and-white checkered ribbon around the lid. “It even matches my sweater.” She pulled it from the fridge and swung it through the air as she carried it to the bar.

Eloise snorted as she left the room, presumably to finish getting ready. “You’re unbelievably easy to please.” Since she spoke the words beneath her breath, Jillian wasn’t sure she was supposed to hear them.

It was the best oatmeal she’d ever tasted, and she was only halfway finished scarfing it down when her mother-in-law returned to the room.

She had her cell phone pressed to her ear, talking in such sharp tones that Jillian was guessing it was Gil.

Poor Gil.She hid a smile as she took another bite.

“Technically, we’re not leaving the driveway,” her mother-in-law declared with asperity. “We’re cutting across our side yard into his side yard.” She let out an exaggerated huff of frustration as she paused to listen. “I’m not sure why I even bothered calling you. Are you always this difficult?” Whatever he said in response made her grin in triumph. “If you really think a little neighborly visit calls for a full military escort, knock yourself out.” She disconnected the line.

“I’m assuming that was Gil?” Jillian waved her next bite at her mother-in-law’s phone.

“Who else?” If anything, Eloise’s grin grew wider.

“You enjoy needling him way too much.” Jillian took another bite of the heavenly oatmeal.

Her mother-in-law shrugged unconcernedly. “It’s his fault for holding us prisoner in your own home. Justbecause we keep falling in line with his oppressive security details doesn’t mean we have to do it quietly.”

“You’re something else.” Jillian polished off the rest of the oatmeal, rinsed out the jar, and set it in the dishwasher.

“I prefer to keep things interesting.” Eloise tapped a foot impatiently while Jillian disappeared into the mudroom to slip her feet into her shoes and grab her coat. Since they weren’t going far, she decided not to take her purse.

Gil was popping the horn of his Rezvani Tank by the time she returned to the kitchen zipped up and gloved up.

“Time to rock and roll,” Eloise sang out as she danced a little jig toward the front door. She had on a brown leather jacket over skinny jeans and a pair of black sneakers with wedge heels. They were dotted with black rhinestones and boasted metallic gold side zippers. It was an outfit a woman half her age would wear, maybe younger, but she was young enough at heart to pull it off.

Jillian’s maternity clothes and suede ankle boots felt tame in comparison, but she liked her mother-in-law’s pizzazz. She also liked the bounce in her step as they made their way down the wide front porch steps together. The thought popped into her mind that Eloise’s exuberance might have something to do with the fact that they were about to pay a visit to a man her age. A single man her age.

“I should’ve had you grab a water bottle before we stepped outside.” Eloise gave her a raking look of concern as they neared the vehicle. “Need to keep you well hydrated, since you’re carrying my grandchild.”

Her concern sent a welcome burst of toasty warmth to Jillian’s heart. As outspoken and abrasive as her mother-in-law could be, she’d not once said anything negative about her son not being the biological father of Jillian’s child. Onthe contrary, she’d been everything that was accepting and inclusive of the baby.

Unlike Jillian’s parents and sister, who’d gone out of their way to make her feel like her pregnancy was the biggest mistake of her life…

Gil was waiting for them with the two right passenger doors gallantly pulled open.

Jillian gave him a grateful look. “It’s really kind of you to give us a ride.”

“And completely unnecessary.” Eloise nudged Jillian toward the front seat while she slid into the back passenger seat. “Your drive here took longer than our commute next door will.”

“Not true.” Gil waited until they were buckled in before closing their doors. He hurried around to the driver’s side. “I’m on patrol this morning, so I was already in the neighborhood.”

“Unless you were parked right outside the house,” Eloise sputtered.

“Actually, I was.” He winked at her through his rearview mirror as he drove the very short distance to the neighbor’s house next door. He scowled as he studied the house. “It looks vacant. You sure anyone still lives here?”

“Very sure,” Eloise lifted her chin. “So are you, sheriff. Quit pretending like you didn’t already run a full background check on the guy.”

Gil shot a questioning look at Jillian. “What’s up with you two feeling all neighborly all of a sudden?”

She muffled a chuckle. “You don’t want to know.”

“Actually, I do.” He returned his gaze to her mother-in-law through his rearview mirror.

“We’re working one of Dave’s cases for him,” sheinformed him haughtily. “Dusting off my paralegal skills to help keep his caseload humming along in his absence.”

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