Page 67 of Make Me Trust Again
“They do. Isn’t that right, Jax? You’re going to grow up big and strong, just like your daddy and uncle.” Jackson shrieks in excitement, which makes Mom laugh. Her gaze meets mine, some of that brightness disappearing as she glances between Becky and me. “How are you two doing?”
“Good,” I say, at the same time, Becky gives me a side eye and chimes in with, “Cranky.”
“I think she’s referring to herself. She’s been fighting with Matthew.”
My sister mock-gasps. “You did not. Tattletale.”
“You should give him some grace, Rebecca. You know how your brother can get.”
“You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew what he did now.”
Mom raises her brow, a little bit of that sharpness I was familiar with from before—before Dad died and our family fell apart—flashing on her face. “Might as well tell me, it’s not like I’m going to remember it later.”
Becky’s face turns serious. “Don’t joke about that.”
Mom shifts Jackson so he’s sitting on her lap before placing one of her hands on Becky’s knee. “It’s the truth. We all know that. So, what’s going on?”
Becky tells her about Matthew, and Mom listens intently, reassuring her that everything will be okay before they switch the conversation back to Becky and her family. At some point, Jackson decides he’s over sitting and wiggles until Mom finally lets him down on the ground, and he immediately starts crawling. He grabs one of the bushes, but before either of us can react, Shadow gently pushes his hands with her snout, so now his attention is on her. I watch as he grabs her fur between his little fingers and pushes to his feet, giggling loudly when he sees all eyes on him.
“Is he walking yet?”
Becky shakes her head. “He’ll get up every now and then while he holds onto something, but that’s about it.”
Shadow turns around to keep an eye on the boy. Jackson’s head tilts to the side as he watches her for a moment.
“She’s not going to bite him, is she?” Mom nibbles at her lower lip, her gaze darting to me.
“No, Mom, she won’t bite him,” I reassure her. “Shadow, be still.”
If she could, she’d probably roll her eyes at me. But Mom doesn’t know her the way I do, and if it gives her the peace of mind, it’s the least I can do.
A frail hand touches mine. Her skin is dry and paper-thin, her blue veins visible under her skin. I lift my gaze, meeting her eyes. “You’ve been quiet.”
“As if that’s something new.” Becky snorts, amusement dancing in her irises. I glare at her, but she ignores me, the corner of her mouth lifting. “But you know what is new? Chase has roommates. Rose and her son have moved into the cottage on the ranch.”
Mom rubs at her forehead. “Rose? That name sounds familiar, but…”
“We were friends in school, and she used to come to our house to play.”
Mom nods slowly. “And she now lives with you?”
“She doesn’t live with me.” I let out an exasperated sigh. I’m going to kill my sister for this. “She lives at the cottage until she figures things out.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“It’s all Becky’s fault.”
“She needed a place to stay.” Becky quirks her brow in challenge. “Besides, if I remember correctly, you were the first who said that Merrick’s place was unsuitable, did you not?”
I press my lips into a tight line, refusing to say anything, which only makes Becky grin wider. “I’m right, and we both know it.”
“I’m not talking about it.”
“You don’t have to. I think a little bit of company will do him good, right, Mom?” Becky turns to Mom, but her smile immediately falls. That blank and scared look is back on Mom’s face as she looks around.
“Gigi? What’s going on? Where are we?” She looks around, her eyes landing on me. “Jackson?” A tentative smile appears on her face as she gets to her feet and comes to me, wrapping her hands around me. “You’re home! When did you come home?”
“Just a little while ago.” I gently wrap my arm around her frail shoulders. My eyes meet Becky’s, and any teasing that was on her face is now gone. “How about we go inside?”
