Page 10 of Sin Wagon
She grabs Claudia’s hands pulling her inside. “You’re family now, Claudia; no need to ring the bell.”
I grab their coats and hold the door so they can enter. I look at this woman who has apparently captured my brother’s heart… and wallet. She’s strangely familiar, but I don’t know where I know her from. Maybe I’ve just seen pictures of her from Jonas since they had a fling when they were younger. He might have had her over a time or two and I just don’t recall.
“Jonas is grabbing a few things from the trunk. I didn’t know if we should just come in or not, so I rang. Thank you though, Rhonda,” Claudia replies softly.
“Well, come in. Come in. Dinner is ready, so we can get right to eating and spend more time visiting afterward.” Mom ushers them further into the house.
I’m left to hang their coats on the rack as she passes and leads them to the table.
We take our seats and wait for my dad and Jonas. Jonas enters first with his hands full of what looks like gifts. He sets them on the buffet behind the table and takes a seat next to Claudia. My dad strolls in a few seconds later and sits at his normal place at the head of the table.
“Drew, Claudia. Sorry for my tardiness, I was finishing up a last-minute email,” he tells them.
“No problem, Roy. We know business is important. After all, it’s why we’re all here, isn’t it?” Drew chuckles and slaps a hand down on the table.
“Daddy! You know Jonas and I are in love,” Claudia admonishes him.
“Yes. Sorry, Cupcake. I lost myself.” Drew smiles, rubbing a hand on Claudia’s back.
I’m not totally sure what the deal is, but Jonas did tell me during a phone call earlier this week that Claudia has never held a job and doesn’t help with her father’s company. So I can only guess she does what he asks, and he lets her keep her lifestyle.
We eat in comfortable silence, making chit-chat here and there about the stocks or trips. When everyone is almost done, my mother stands from her chair, catching everyone’s attention. “I’m going to grab the cobbler. Then you two can share whatever this news is you have to tell us.”
My mom returns minutes later with a baking dish and little dessert plates. She sets it on the table and passes everyone a plate with some cobbler on it as she scoops it from the pan. “So, let’s hear what’s going on. You’re not canceling the wedding, are you?”
“Oh Lord, no! We are very much in love and still getting married. Actually, Jonas wanted us to all be together when we tell you,” she pauses and looks around the table at all of us.
“We’re moving in together,” Claudia murmurs, her eyes focused on her hands in her lap.
“Go on, Cupcake,” Drew pushes. “I don’t need anything coming out later in the wash. Everything needs to be out on the table.”
I look at my dad, quirking a brow.
What in the hell could she be talking about? Does she have a criminal record? Is she dying?
“Soooo, Jonas has told me how badly you want grandchildren, and well—that’s not in the cards for us.” Claudia’s voice cracks and I see a tear roll down her cheek.
My mom gasps but quickly collects herself.
“I know you two are older, but there is always foster or adoption,” she encourages her sweetly.
“No. There will be no children from us.”
The clatter of a fork hitting a plate echoes through the dining room and I look over and see my mom slack-jawed, staring at Claudia like she has two heads.
“And what about heirs?” my father asks gruffly, his eyes narrowing at Drew.
“I have no interest in being a mom. I’m sorry,” Claudia whispers then like a well-trained… or more like a B-rated actress, she starts to wail as she buries her face in her hand.
“I’m so sorry! Oh god, I’m sorry!” she cries and Jonas sits back in his chair, arms crossed, looking at her like he’s pissed but also like he wants to protect her from whatever anyone is about to say.
And just like that, the house erupts into utter fucking chaos. My dad might pull the plug on this marriage if he’s upset enough about what we just heard. Calling off the wedding would be a scandal, something Covington Hotels doesn’t need. Our company has never had a scandal and this will not be our first one. My mom is crying into her napkin hysterically while my dad is on his feet, pointing a finger and shouting at Drew.
I get up and move around the table to my mom, wrapping my arms around her and rubbing her back with one hand as she cries. Claudia is sniveling into Jonas’ shoulder.
“Quiet!” I shout and the room falls silent as all eyes land on me. “Did you know?” I look at my brother.
“No. I only found out on our second date,” he tells us and my mom cries harder.
