Page 142 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

She huffs as redness blooms in her cheeks. My guess is she doesn’t want her family to be on everyone’s lips.

“I don’t want people talkin’ about my son.”

Or you, I suspect.

“What, talking about the fact that he’s happy? That we’re about to embark upon the next step in our future? Because if they’re talking about anything else, I don’t care. I’m finally at a point in my life where I’ve given up on what people might think of me. They’re not a party to my relationship. They don’t get to judge me or my unborn child.” I push out a heavy breath through my nose. “Jerry will be the father of this child, and whether you believe it or not, he will be incredible. If he treats this child with an ounce of the love and respect he’s shown me,ourchild will be blessed.”

“One day that child will have questions.”

I nod. “And Jerry and I will answer every last one of them.” I rest my hands at the top of my bump. “While we’re being frank, have you ever considered that maybe Jerry is tired of the secrets? Not being able to acknowledge he’s adopted? He can do that with me. He’s opened up and we’re all the stronger for it. Don’t you think it’s finally time to help him deal with that part of his life? I see how much those secrets pain him.” Even though he tries to be strong.

She points her finger at me. “You listen here, missy. It’s not just about him.”

Am I missing something? What’s the big deal?

Missy. Okay, she’s done with me. Talking to me like a child now. I won’t stand for it.

“Well, to me, it’s all abouthim.”

“It’s our business. He had no right goin’ and tellin’ you anythin’.”

“It’s your reputation, isn’t it?” I scoff. “You don’t like that people are gossiping about us. That’s more important to you than Jerry’s well-being.”

“Don’t twist my words.” The disdain in her tone cuts deep.

I rub at my eyes, emotions and fatigue fogging my brain. “Despite what you might think, I’m a good person, Penny, and I hope you’d trust in your son’s judgement.”

She shakes her head. “He doesn’t know how to be a father.”

Has she no faith in her son?

Bile stirs in the back of my throat. “What did you say?”

Penny widens her eyes. “You heard.”

I clench my fists at my sides. Breathe in one, two, three. Breathe out one, two, three.

“Does anyone know how to be a parent until they hold a child in their arms?”

She purses her lips.

“Now, unless you have something nice to say, Penny, it’s time you left.”

A tall shadow appears in the doorway. My pulse thunders as Jerry’s glossy eyes lock onto me.

How long was he within earshot?

He slowly folds his arms beneath his broad chest and sizes up his mother.

Penny stiffens.

“Ma?” Jerry tilts his head.

The woman slowly turns. “Jer,” she chokes out. “I, ah—”

“Let’s go for a walk, Ma.” The muscles in Jerry’s jaw tick. “You and I have got some talkin’ to do.”

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