Page 62 of The Cowgirl's Forever Love
“From the conversation we had tonight around the dinner table with my sisters and my dad, it appears you might be a little more related than we first guessed. I’m not positive, but my dad seems to know your mom.”
The silence stretched on a lot longer this time. “Wait. That’s— Are you saying—?”
“He was shaken up when I mentioned your mom’s name, and we didn’t want to push, but he pretty much came out and admitted he had an affair with her.”
“Wow.” More silence.
Josiah was driving cautiously, both hands on the wheel as the headlights shone forward, dancing off the falling snowflakes. Everything seemed hushed, as if speaking the wrong words would somehow make the world vanish.
“Julia?” Lisa asked. “Are you okay?”
“Areyouguys okay? I already knew my mom had been with someone, even though she refused to tell me who. This has got to be a huge shock for you.” Her quick inhale was audible over the line. “I’m not trying to mess anything up for your family, I swear. Or push myself in where I don’t belong.”
“It’s not that at all. If you’re family, you’re family. We just need to find out for sure.” Lisa stared out the side window at the growing darkness. “Either way, I’m not trying to run away from getting to know you.”
“Thanks.”
Lisa decided it was better to just cut it short. “I’ll let you go, but if you need to call me tonight, don’t hesitate. Dad’s around tomorrow. If you want, you can come by to meet him.”
“This is all a little over the top, but yes, that’s a good idea. I’m on call tonight until noon tomorrow, so if it’s possible to meet after that, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem. Take care of yourself tonight, okay? And I mean it. Call if you need to,” Lisa reminded her.
“I will. But I’ll be fine.” Julia actually laughed softly. “I’m always fine.”
Which made Lisa feel even worse as she hung up.
Josiah had parked the truck in front of his house. He pulled her out the door after him, pausing to make sure Ollie made it to the ground safely. He tugged Lisa tight. “That sounded as if it went well. As well as it could.”
“I guess.” Lisa laid her head against his chest and squeezed tight, closing her eyes and leaning into him. “I feel like I should call someone to make sure they keep an eye on Julia.”
“Good idea. No reason why we can’t give Brad a call.”
“What if he’s not working?”
“He’s probably not, but he’ll know who is.” Josiah pulled out his phone and called right then and there, giving their friend the quick-and-dirty update. He nodded as he hung up. “Brad’s got it under control.”
“Okay, that helps.”
Josiah whistled for Ollie, who had taken off to do her business and explore the hedges beside the house. “Come on. Let’s go inside where it’s warm.”
Walking into the house was like stepping into comfort. The memory of their first date swept in powerful and strong as she took off her boots. Josiah took her coat and hung it in the closet.
She headed straight for the fireplace, ready to add a couple of logs to the coals that were still burning.
“Let’s get the one in my room going,” Josiah suggested. “Unless you want to spend the evening with my roommates, which if you do, fine. They might be a good distraction.”
That wasn’t the kind of distraction she was looking for. “Brilliant reminder.”
She caught Josiah by the hand and tugged him down the hallway.
They were at his bedroom door before she realized she’d basically been running. From the way he was grinning, he was aware.
“You make one comment about me being eager to get into your bedroom…” she warned, unable to keep a smile from flickering across her face.
Josiah twisted the doorknob, letting the door swing away from them as he gestured her in. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
But he smiled back and stirred more dizzying emotions inside her than she’d like to admit.
