Page 61 of Hot Shot
“She sounds like a very unhappy woman.”
“Having Laura made her that way.”
“No. I think she was unhappy long before she got pregnant.”
“We’ll never know, and to be honest, I hate thinking about her, never mind talking about her. Change of subject. What did you tell Oakley to get the jet?”
“Nothing. Just asked to use it. Pa lets her use it whenever and he’s offered it to me before so…” She shrugs.
“Is the plan still to stay here through the rest of the week or are we going to head out on the jet with Corbin and Landon?”
“We’re staying. All I’ve seen so far is a man determined to exhaust himself.” Slapping my back before using my shoulder to push to her feet she adds, “Get a shower. Meet us in the kitchen. Mom has the ingredients for your mom’s stew. You’re cooking tonight.”
Tipping my head back, I look up at her. “I thought we were having lasagna.”
“Nope. If you need things to keep busy, keep you out of your head, I’ll find them for you. I don’t want you burning out before I’ve even gotten you on the ice.”
“Ah, so it has nothing to do with you wanting to take care of me.”
“It has everything to do with that but right now I’m your coach and I say enough. Hot shower using the massage jets. Then get your chef’s hat on.”
“Yes, boss.” I push up on legs that feel overworked. I knew I was pushing it but I may have pushed more than I thought. I’ll be feeling it later. “Where’s your dad?”
“In his office. Why?”
“Your mom in the kitchen?”
“No. I think she’s out in the garden. Something about enjoying the spring afternoon sun while it lasts. She’s predicting snow later in the week.”
“I didn’t tell them I had Laura’s birth certificate changed to add Watts. I want to do that before Landon and Corbin get here.”
“Now?”
“I guess. It’s been playing on my mind the last few days.”
“Tell them at dinner.”
“I’d like to do it now.”
“Before the shower I told you to take?” Stepping closer, she reaches for my hand and effortlessly weaves our fingers together. “What’s going on?”
“I…” Looking away I try to get my thoughts in order. “I need them to know I did the right thing.”
“Oh, Bran. You did the right thing the second you made up your mind to get married and have Laura.”
“I’m not sure about that, but in the end, after I knew the truth, I did the right thing.”
“Do we know the truth? Celeste lied about a lot of things. She could have lied about the twins. They were your closest friends, she had to know that. If she was going to name anyone to hurt you, they were the perfect choice.”
“I have Laura’s DNA.”
“What? Why?”
“I asked them to run hers and mine because I’d started to wonder, especially after she tried to hook up with Carl again.”
“And the results? When did you get those?”
“The day I turned up to the Knights game smashed out of my head.”
