Page 49 of Half Baked

“I hear she might be moving into a nursing home,” Laura said. “Would you still feel tied to Cockamamie?”

Laura’s questions confirmed what I already suspected. I knew she wanted Noah to move back to Memphis. His feelings for a woman tied to this town only complicated things. It was little wonder she was acting hostile.

“My aunt will go into a care facility. It’s just a matter of timing at this point. When that happens, there’s a good chance she won’t know me anymore. I’ll have to sell her house to help pay for her care, so I’ll be looking for somewhere to live. I’m just not sure where yet. My friend Mallory suggested Chattanooga, because it’s only forty to forty-five minutes away, and I might be able to get a librarian job there.”

Noah looked surprised but didn’t say anything.

“They have excellent nursing homes in Memphis,” Laura said. “I’d be happy to look into a few for you.”

“Mom,” Noah cut in. “I’m not going back to Memphis.”

Her icy gaze landed on him. “Your family is there.”

Noah squeezed my hand under the table. “My family is where I decide it is.” He forced a smile. “Now, tell me about my favorite niece and nephew.”

“You only have one niece and nephew,” his mother said tightly.

“They’re still my favorite. Did they ever build that giant Lego set they got for Christmas?”

The rest of dinner was so tense you could have bounced a quarter off the vibes our table had to be exuding. A couple of times, I was sure Noah was going to get up and end dinner, food unfinished, but I kept squeezing his hand and knee under the table. His mother was obviously threatened by me, which I strangely understood.

Was it wrong that it filled me with reassurance about Noah’s feelings for me that she thought I could influence his decision?

By the time we finished, Laura was quiet for a few moments before pausing and offering me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry if I’ve come across as difficult.”

“Come across?” Noah stated bluntly.

I offered her a weak smile. “It’s very obvious you love your son, Mrs. Langley,” I said, purposely using her formal name, “and it’s equally obvious that you don’t think I’m good enough for him.”

Noah’s mother started to protest, but I held up a hand to stop her.

“Mom, let her finish,” Noah barked.

I took a moment to get myself together. “I really care about your son, Mrs. Langley, and while you find me lacking, he doesn’t.” I looked up at him with a grim smile, then turned back to her. “I can’t promise you that I won’t put Noah in danger, just like I can’t promise I won’t get hit by a bus tomorrow.”

Janie crept toward the table and slipped the check onto it, her body bent forward. “You’re lucky we don’t have any buses in Cockamamie,” she said softly, then cringed as though realizing she probably should have kept that to herself. She lowered her head to Noah’s eye level and added, “You can pay at the counter when you’re ready so I don’t bother y’all again.” Then she turned and hurried to customers two tables away.

“I think I’ve said all that needs to be said,” I continued, “other than this: Noah is a good man, and I’m grateful to have him in my life. I will do everything in my power to make sure he doesn’t get hurt—physically or emotionally—and that’s all I can promise.” I gave Noah a slight shove, and he moved out of the seat. Grabbing my coat and purse, I slid out. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I headed for the exit, ready to burst into tears, but he stopped me a few feet from the door.

“Maddie, I’msosorry. I’veneverseen her behave this way. Let me walk you out,” he pleaded, concern in his eyes.

“No, stay with your mother. I think she needs you right now.”

“Are you kidding me? After the way she just treated you? She’ll be lucky if I let her sleep in my house tonight.”

I put a hand on his chest. “She’s scared she’s going to lose you to me. Just reassure her that it’s not true.”

I stretched up and kissed him lightly, then headed out into the cold night.

I needed a glass of wine, a hot bath, and a good cry.

ChapterThirteen

Noah

Itook a small amount of reassurance from the fact that Maddie had kissed me on the way out, but I couldn’t help thinking it was partially habit. Months ago, I would have scoffed at the idea that kissing someone for only a few weeks could turn into a habit, but I felt exactly the same way. I’d had to force myselfnotto kiss her all afternoon and evening. I’d found myself touching her most of the night.

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