Page 96 of Secret Bet

Chapter27

His mother tappedhim on the shoulder. He reluctantly let go of Belle's waist and then turned to his mother who said, "Peter, sorry tointerrupt."

His heart was light. She had said yes. He then nodded and said, "Mom, I'd like for you to meet Belle Jordan. We'regettingmarried."

"Nice to see you again, and we're all happy you came back." She immediately hugged both of them. Peter couldn't let Belle go yet. "I'm so happyforyou."

Belle patted his mother's back and then added, "Thank you. I can't wait to tell my dad when he gets backintown."

His mother pulled away, and her face was solemn and serious as she said, "Peter, I needto tell yousomething."

If she didn't want him to marry Belle, then he had no idea what to say. His shoulders tensed. "Whatmom?"

She glanced around the party and stared at some blue-eyed very pregnant woman he didn't know, but reminded him of his sister, Victoria. He widened his stance as she said, "We have to get your brother and sister and go somewhere. This is something I shouldhave saidrightaway."

Belle took his hand and squeezed it as she picked up her phone and stared at thescreen.

Peter nodded and said, "Ofcourse."

Belle took her phone out of her pocketbook and glanced at him. "I texted John and Colt. They are getting their wives and will meet us in your study,Peter."

He offered his mother his other arm to guide them through the partyas he said, "My future wife is efficient. Thisway,Mom."

She rocked on her feet. He held her to steady as she asked, "You use your father'sstudy?"

Peter didn't want his mother to worry. He nodded his head. "It's mine now. I had it redecorated, and I'm hoping Belle will help me make it morepersonable."

Belle shrugged hershoulders. "Okay."

His mother past the youngmother-to-be and squeezed her hand as they passed. Once they were away from the woman, Peter asked, "Whowasthat?"

His mother turned white. "Who waswho,dear?"

Peter pointed with his head as he had both women on each arm. "The woman in the hall. You just squeezedherhand."

She lowered her head and didn't look at him. "This is part of what I need toexplain."

Hismother didn't say anything. Once they entered the study, Belle took a seat and waited with his mother. Peter stood as his brother, his wife Alice, and Victoria and her new husband, Colt, all came into the room. The two couples both found seats. The same seats they once chose as teenagers, only this time his siblings all hadspouses.

He sat with Belle and then leaned closer to his mother."Mom, we're all here. What's soimportant?"

She flicked her gray hair behind her head and stared at the ceiling. "I was pregnant when your fatherkidnappedme."

The young woman must be hissister. "What?"

"It was one of the reasons I wanted adivorce."

"So that woman in the hall?" Peter's gaze flew to thefloor.

Vicki sat closer at the edge of her seat and asked,"What else did ourfatherdo?"

His mom then looked into his eyes, like she was afraid of his reaction, as she said, "I was grieving for the loss of my children, but then I had three more, all at once. I don't think your father knew how to explaineverythingaway."

Peter raised his eyebrow and stared at his mother. Clearly the woman outside was one of three. "What? Just say everything,and let us sort out thedetails."

Her face squished together as if he had physically touched her. Peter's skin crawled as if he had hurt his mom as she said, "Your father and I had the triplets. I raised them until they were six, and then your father sent themawaytoo."

Belle squeezed Peter's hand. "What? There are moreMorgans?"

---