Page 12 of Inked Persuasion

“I’m just glad you’re back in town,” Mom said softly.

Putting all thoughts of her from my mind, I moved forward, dropping to one knee in front of the woman I loved more than anything.

“I’m glad I’m back, too,” I whispered and handed her the flowers, making sure to rest them on her lap so she didn’t have to grip them.

She smiled at me, her eyes a little watery, and I reached out and rubbed my thumb across her cheek, brushing away a tear.

“They’re lovely, Jacob.”

“As are you,” I teased.

“You’re such a charmer. I have no idea why you aren’t married yet.”

“I have a few ideas,” Annabelle mumbled under her breath, and my mother’s eyes twinkled with laughter.

My dad coughed into his beer and then shook his head. “You know, I like her. And, Jacob? You do have a sly tongue. You’re nice and sweet to your mom, but I’m pretty sure you get all lawyered out when it comes to dating.”

I scowled, standing up. “What does that even mean? And how did I become the center of this? Besides, we’re not talking about dating. I moved here to be with you guys. Dating isn’t in the picture.”

My mom looked as if she were about to shake her head but instead leaned against the headrest of her chair. I hated that she was in pain and there was nothing I could do about it. If I talked about it or focused on it, she would only become embarrassed and agitated. Still, I risked a glance at my father, who shook his head gently. Dad was watching her, and my mom would say something if she needed help. I just had to get used to seeing my mother this way. As if that would ever happen.

“It would be nice if you settled down,” Mom said.

I smiled, ice coating my veins because the unsaid wordsscared me to death.

It would be nice if I could settle down…before she was gone.

Jesus Christ. How was my dad doing this? How was I supposed to help?

Instead of wallowing, I winked and gave them the smirk I had practiced when I was a teen. “I’ll settle down once I find who I want. Before that, though, I have to taste the wares.”

Annabelle scoffed, while my mother rolled her eyes, and my dad laughed. “I raised you better than that,” Mom said.

“Maybe, but I like watching Annabelle’s color deepen into a plum red as I keep speaking.”

“Oh, I’m not angry,” Annabelle corrected. “I just feel pity for you. I mean, all those women out there rejecting you left and right? It’s got to be hard.”

“Nice,” I said through my teeth.

“You did ask for it, son,” Dad said. “Okay, dinner is ready. Let’s head into the dining room and see what we have to eat.”

“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” Annabelle asked, wringing her hands in front of herself for a bare instant before she noticed me watching. Immediately, she very deliberately placed her hands on either side of her and looked as if she weren’t worried at all.

She should be worried. I hated that she was here, reminding me of everything I had lost, and being in the way. Why couldn’t she just go back to her family and stop trying to impede on mine?

“Of course. You’re family,” Mom said, her fingers twitching.

Annabelle immediately reached out to clasp my mother’s hands, giving them a slight squeeze. “That’s a lovely thing to say. And I’m pretty sure that Roger mentioned something about lemon chicken?”

“World-famous,” Dad said. I ignored the lines of strain at the corners of his eyes. He was exhausted, and I knew that while we were waiting for insurance to cover the full-time nurse, Dad was in limbo, like Mom was. I helped as much as I could, but between work and the fact that my parents didn’t want me doing everything, it wasn’t easy. But tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight was about happiness and peace—even if Annabelle Montgomery was a part of it.

We settled into the dining room and ate a lovely dinner. Mom smiled and chatted the entire time. She wanted us to be together as a family, apparently even if a Montgomery was part of that. As we cleaned up, Dad took Mom back to their bedroom to help with her next set of meds, and I did dishes as Annabelle dried.

“I didn’t realize you would be here,” Annabelle whispered.

I looked over my shoulder, grateful that with the layout of the house, Mom and Dad wouldn’t be able to hear. “I thought we were going to stay out of each other’s way.”

She shook her head, taking a plate from me. “I tried. But I have a standing dinner with your parents on Sundays. And sometimes I see them more often. Now that you’re here, it seems you’ll be a part of that. I’ve done this for years, Jacob. I’m not just now swooping in to ruin your life.” She paused. “According to you, I already did that years ago.”

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