Page 94 of Nobodys Baby But Mine (Chicago Stars 3)

The Blue Ridge dining room, like the rest of the hotel, was furnished in the rustic charm of the Arts and Crafts movement. He walked down several steps that led to a lower dining area and spotted Lynn sitting at a small table positioned by the tall windows that overlooked the mountains. He drank in the sight of her.

Since he refused to visit her on Heartache Mountain, he either had to telephone or watch for her when he knew she’d be coming to town. He made excuses to drop by church on Wednesday evenings when she met with the worship committee and kept his eyes peeled for her car in the Ingles grocery store lot.

For her part, she seemed to do her best to avoid him. She always chose times when she knew she wouldn’t run into him to stop at the house, either when he had office hours or was making his hospital rounds. He’d been relieved when she’d agreed to meet him today.

His pleasure at the sight of her faded into irritation. This past month didn’t seem to have changed her, while he felt bruised and old. She wore a loosely woven lavender-and-cream jacket that he’d always liked, along with silver earrings and a silky top and skirt. As he pulled out the heavy wooden chair across from her, he tried to convince himself those were marks of sleeplessness he saw under her eyes, but they were probably only shadows cast by the light coming in through the windows.

She gave him the same cordial nod she used to greet strangers. What had happened to the enchanting young mountain girl who’d giggled uncontrollably and decorated his dinner table with dandelions?

The waiter approached, and Jim ordered two glasses of their favorite wine, only to have Lynn request a Diet Pepsi instead. After the waiter left, he regarded her inquisitively.

“I’ve gained five pounds,” she explained.

“You’re on hormone replacement therapy. You have to expect some weight gain.”

“It’s not the pills that are doing it to me; it’s Annie’s cooking. If something doesn’t have a stick of butter in it, she doesn’t think it’s edible.”

“Sounds to me as if the best way to get those five pounds off would be to come home.”

She paused for a moment before she spoke. “Heartache Mountain has always been my home.”

He felt as if a cold draft had blown across the back of his neck. “I’m talking about your real home. Our home.”

Instead of responding, she picked up the menu and began to study it. The waiter delivered their drinks and took their order. While they waited for their food, Lynn spoke of the weather and a concert she had attended the week before. She reminded him to have the air conditioner checked and talked about some new road construction. It made him ache inside. This beautiful woman who used to speak only from her heart now never did.

She seemed determined to avoid anything personal, but he knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid talking about their sons. “Gabe called from Mexico last night. Apparently neither of his brothers has seen fit to tell him you’ve moved out.”

Concern furrowed her brow. “You didn’t say anything, did you? He’s got enough to deal with as it is. I don’t want him worrying.”

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

Her relief was visible. “I’m so worried about him. I wish he’d come home.”

“Maybe someday.”

“I’m worried about Cal, too. Have you noticed?”

“He looks fine to me.”

“Better than fine. I saw him in town yesterday, and I’ve never seen him look happier. I don’t understand it, Jim. He’s always been a good judge of character, and that woman’s going to break his heart. Why can’t he see her for what she is?”

Jim grew grim at the thought of his new daughter-in-law. He’d seen her on the street a few days earlier, and she’d walked right past him, just as if he didn’t exist. She’d refused to show up at church, declined social invitations from some of the nicest women in town, and even failed to attend a testimonial dinner for Cal the Jaycees had given. The only person she’d give the time of day to seemed to be Kevin Tucker. None of it boded well for his son.

“I don’t understand it,” Lynn went on. “How can he be so happy when he’s married to such a… a…”

“Cold-hearted bitch.”

“I hate her. I can’t help it. She’s going to hurt him badly, and he doesn’t deserve it.” Her brow furrowed, and her voice developed a huskiness that indicated the depth of her upset. “All these years we’ve waited for him to settle down and marry someone nice, someone who loved him, but look who he’s picked—a woman who doesn’t care about anyone but herself.” She regarded him with troubled eyes. “I wish there was something we could do.”

“We can’t even straighten out our own troubles, Lynn. How could we expect to solve Cal’s?”

“It’s not the same thing. He’s— He’s vulnerable.”

“And we’re not?”

For the first time, she sounded vaguely defensive. “I didn’t say that.”

Bitterness tightened his chest and rose like bile in his throat. “I’ve just about had it with this cat and mouse game you’re playing. I’m warning you, Lynn; I’m not going to put up with it much longer.”

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