Page 47 of Bridles and Bribery

“Mine isn’t.” Edward shifted in his chair. “My late wife and I used to own and operate a commercial nursery on our land. It was years ago, of course.” He smiled wryly at Jillian. “Probably before your time.”

Jillian pressed her hands to her heart, feeling like another big ray of sunshine had just burst through the storm clouds she and Dave were muscling their way through. “I, um…yes, please! Let’s talk more about this soon.” Ideas were popping into her head right and left. “I’ll cook next time.”

“It’s a date.” Edward’s voice was matter-of-fact as he stood. However, he wasn’t looking at Jillian. He was gazing unabashedly at her mother-in-law.

Chapter 8: Lassoing a Lawyer

Three months later

Jillian felt like a duck waddling around the house — a very swollen duck with a belly roughly the size of a hippo. “Three more weeks of this nonsense,” she grumbled as she made her way into the kitchen. She was too uncomfortable to wear maternity jeans this morning. She’d settled for a pair of gray knit leggings that gently hugged her blooming figure. Though it was April, it was still chilly, so she’d tugged on an oversized lemony sweatshirt. It wasn’t fancy, but being this far into her third trimester was the perfect excuse to elevate comfort over style.

Though she was dying to see Dave again, the self-conscious part of her half-hoped it wouldn’t be today. They visited as often as Lonestar Security could safely arrange for them to steal an hour or two together. They’d otherwise kept him out of sight and away from home. As far as the rest of the world knew, he was on an extended trip out of town. Working through Lonestar intermediaries, Dave hadtransferred his regular caseload to other attorneys around town. He’d also rented out the third floor of the office building he owned, where his private practice had previously been located.

It was a lot of change to absorb in such a short time. It was also a lot to keep secret from their small-town friends and neighbors. Rumors burned like wildfire around them. Folks speculated on everything from Dave’s practice going bankrupt to the possibility he was off indulging in some illicit affair. Man, but Dave hadn’t been kidding about no love being lost on attorneys! Every rumor she caught wind of about him was more brutal than the last one.

She was so ready to have her husband back to discredit every hateful word being said about him. Mostly, though, she just wanted him back! She was ready to have her body back, too. It would probably take a few months to lose the baby weight and return her waistline to its normal size, but she was going to be motivated to do it in record time once Dave was home. New-bride motivated. Delayed-honeymoon motivated.

“You’re almost to the finish line, hon.” Eloise was dressed and puttering around the kitchen when Jillian walked in. “It won’t be long now until you have that beautiful baby in your arms.” They’d fallen into the habit of eating breakfast together.

Eloise had taken over most of the cooking, which was fine with Jillian. If she’d been alone, she would’ve probably eaten much simpler fare like cereal and sandwiches. Instead, they dined on one delicious entrée after another, from spinach and egg quiches to grilled chicken and zucchini shish kabobs. She was really glad not to be alone right now, and not just because of the food. The combination of her and Eloise just worked.

“Thanks for the pep talk.” She accepted the veggie omelet Eloise handed her. “While I’m busy whining, I may as well admit that I’m already dreading the day you decide to return overseas. It’s been truly wonderful having you here.”

Eloise took a seat on the stool beside her. “Telling someone you enjoy having them around isn’t something I’d classify as whining.”

Jillian was pleased her mother-in-law had taken the compliment in the light it was intended. “I realize our relationship has been mostly giving on your part and taking on mine, but?—”

“How can you say that?” Eloise’s lips parted in indignation. “I’m the one who’s overstayed my welcome to the extent of smelling like rotten leftovers.”

Jillian’s mouth fell open. “If you were anyone else, I’d slap you for talking about my mother-in-law that way!”

Eloise gave a delighted cackle. “What a pair we make!”

“What a pair, indeed.” Jillian leaned an elbow on the counter and propped her cheek against it. “Please assure me you’ll at least stay until the baby’s born.”

Eloise gaped at her. “Nothing in this world would drag me away from Heart Lake before I lay eyes on my first grandchild. Nothing!”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to try to wrangle any free babysitting out of you.” Jillian had been wrestling with melancholy for days about bringing that up. “It’s just that having a baby is something you’d normally share with…” She hesitated, not wanting to sound ungrateful. She had it better than most people.

“With a mother?” Eloise supplied. “If you’re too nice to spit it out, I will.”

“Yes. That.” They’d never talked about her strainedrelationship with her family. She’d specifically avoided the topic. “I just want to say thank you for stepping into that role. You’ve done it so wholeheartedly and so well.”

“Listen.” Eloise glanced down at her half-empty coffee cup. “Though prying is one of my top skill sets, even you will agree I’ve been on my good behavior when it comes to talking about your family.” She drew a bracing breath. “But now that you’ve brought them up, I’ll say this. Anyone who didn’t want to be a part of our furniture shopping sprees for the past few months…or our baby blanket crocheting fests…or our failed attempts at sewing curtains for your nursery, it’s their loss.” Her voice was flat with conviction. “I’ve enjoyed every blasted second of having a daughter-in-law and every moment of anticipating becoming a grandmother.”

Her words sent a rush of emotion through Jillian. They’d truly been through the fire together. Even their furniture shopping sprees had been riddled with risks. To protect Dave’s name, their connection to him, and their collective whereabouts, they’d been forced to shop remotely and have Lonestar Security handle the deliveries.

On the bright side, Jillian had grown closer to her mother-in-law through every challenge they’d faced together. It was a closeness she was in no hurry to give up. “What if I’m not ready for you to return to Naples, Eloise? Even after the baby’s born? Or…ever?”

Eloise flushed with pleasure. “Jillian, hon, that may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I’m not trying to butter your corn, as Edward likes to say.” Jillian pushed her fork idly around her plate. “I only say it because it’s true.”

“Which makes it worth all the more to me,” Eloise returned warmly.

Since she wasn’t shying away from discussing their feelings, Jillian decided to press her point further. “I know Heart Lake isn’t Naples, and I would be lying if I said I understood how difficult it was for you to come back here, but…”

“You’ve made it less difficult, hon.” Eloise spun her coffee cup in a circle, making the dark liquid swirl against the sides of it.

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