Page 39 of The Bet
Chapter 12
“Why don’t you like Xavier?”
Jacob’s comment almost made her speechless. “What do you mean? Idolike him. I mean, I don’thatehim.” Not the way she hated Shoemoney.
“You never look happy when he’s around.”
“Uh, no. I’m fine. I’m happy. I’m having a good time.”
“Then why didn’t you tell him to come and swim with us?”
“Uh, well, because, you heard him, he didn’t have his swim trunks.”
“He could have borrowed Tobias’s. They’re brothers. Tobias wouldn’t mind.” Jacob wiped his hand over his face. “Just like I won’t mind when my little brother wants to borrow my swim trunks.”
Izzy blinked a couple of times. “A little brother?” Was Savannah already pregnant? Because, if she was, then WOW. It had to be the best kept secret of all.
“Mommy’s trying to find a baby,” Jacob declared.
“Tryingto finda baby?” Izzy wasn’t sure she understood. Was Savannah having problems conceiving? Perhaps he meant she was tryingfora baby? She didn’t want to question him, because she had a feeling it was the type of thing Savannah wouldn’t want anyone to know about.
“That’s what she said to Tobias. I wish she would hurry up about it.”
“You’d like a sibling, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Jacob’s voice was sweet, and a little doleful.
“Wouldn’tyou?” She asked again, because the way he’d answered, she wasn’t so sure.
“I ‘spose.”
She placed her hand on his shoulder and bent her knees so that she was at face level. “Yousupposeso? Just a moment ago you sounded pretty excited.”
“It’s always been me and Mommy.”
And that told her all she needed to know.
“I see.”
He stared up at her with dewy green eyes. “I don’t mind sharing her with Tobias.”
“Tobias loves you as much as he loves your Mommy.”
“I know.”
“So why are you worried, Jacob?”
“’Cos if Mommy has a baby, I’ll have to share MommyandTobias with the baby.”
She didn’t understand. “What’s wrong with that, Jacob?” she asked gently.
“Tobias said that love was like elastic, and there’s always enough to go around, but Mommy and Tobias are going to be busy with the new baby and they won’t have any time for me.”
“They willalwayshave time for you.” She splashed some water on him to try to lift his spirits. “Parents always do.” She saw the flicker of disbelief skim across his face.
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?”
“I have a younger brother called Owen.”
