Page 21 of Jack Raider

“I bet your grandma fifty dollars that you would call me tonight. Because you are just like us, nosy.”

“Forget I called,” I said.

“Are you saying you don’t want me to tell you about the kids and the father loving Jack on the spot? They hugged him and didn’t want to be apart from their brother. I’ll bet you one hundred dollars that they will all visit each other as often as possible,” Mable said, almost choking on her laughter.

“Mable, I am not going to bet you money…” And then, like an idiot, I broke down and cried.

“Oh, for Pete's sake, why are you crying?” Mable asked.

“Because Jack Raider finally has a family, and they want him in their lives,” I said, wiping my eyes.

“I know I had to walk into the kitchen when I saw how much they loved him. I was weeping like a baby. But don’t let Jack know we are cry babies, over his happiness,” Mable insisted.

“Yes, we all better zip our lips. Tell Grandma not to even cry in front of Nate.”

“Have a wonderful time on your date. Where are you going to dinner?” Mable asked.

“I don’t know, and don’t ask Jack, I don’t want anyone showing up out of the blue.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Your grandma and I are having a few glasses of wine together and reminiscing about when we were young,” she said.

“I don’t want either of you driving.”

“I’m spending the night at your grandmother’s tonight. Goodnight, dear.”

“Goodnight.” At least Mable didn’t have Henry hanging around anymore. I knew calling Grandma would work. Henry only wanted someone to take care of him, and he wasn’t suitable for Mable. My Grandma kicked him out of Mable’s house, because Mable didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

I took a deep breath, fed my dogs and my cat, made a sandwich, and sat down to watch Housewives of Atlanta.

Just as I settled into my bed with my sandwich and the dog on my feet, my phone buzzed.

Jack Raider.

Of course.

I stared at his name for a full ten seconds, debating whether to answer. My curiosity about his visit had already been satisfied—thanks to Mable and her wine-fueled gossip circuit—but still, the butterflies wouldn’t quit.

I picked up.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound like I wasn’t wearing a sweatshirt stained with mustard and curled under a throw blanket I’ve had since college.

“Hey,” Jack said, his voice low and smooth. “I just wanted to hear your voice before I crash. Long day.”

“How was your visit?” I asked, keeping my tone casual like I didn’t already have the full play-by-play.

“It was… incredible,” he said. “They’re really great kids. And my dad—he’s not who I expected. He cried, Eloise. Hugged me like he’s been waiting his whole life to meet me.”

I pressed the phone tighter to my ear, holding back tears all over again.

“I’m happy for you, Jack.”

“I want you to meet them someday,” he added softly. “Not right away, but… eventually.”

That pulled a genuine smile out of me. “I’d like that.”

There was a beat of silence, the kind that somehow felt full instead of awkward.

“I can’t wait to see you on Friday,” he said.

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