Page 54 of Reuniting with Lucy

After a moment of silence, Meredith sighed. “I believe you,” she said. “I came here thinking you were a gold digger and that you were trying to trap Jack into marriage or at least monthly checks for ‘maintenance.’ I figured you’d take the money, and we’d never see you again. I think I misjudged you from the beginning.”

“You mean when you thought I was a thirty-year-old barista, giving away the farm behind my employer’s back?”

“Jack told you I said that?” She had the decency to be embarrassed.

“No,” Lucy said. “You’re not that hard to read though.” The Three Amigos had told her, but she wouldn’t sell them out.

Meredith chuckled. “I wasn’t always so cynical. When I first married Jack’s father, he had money, sure. But he’s grown the business so successfully, that now I worry about Jack and Nick being able to find women that love them for them, and not just the money.”

“So, you married Phillip because he was rich?” Lucy asked before adding, “I don’t want an answer. I’m just trying to show you how insulting it comes across.”

“Point taken,” Meredith said. “And I’m sure many people assume that, but no. I married Phillip because I loved him. Over the years, the money’s caused me to become a little jaded.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, a lot jaded. Once you have children, you’ll understand. You’ll do anything to protect them.”

“I get that,” Lucy said. “But you don’t even know me. It also doesn’t say much for what you think of your son’s taste in women. Or ability to judge character.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Jack. But he’s made some questionable life choices. Joining the military instead of the business. Marrying Paige.” She pursed her lips as if sucking on a lemon. “He was in a rough place when he left the military. You know he lost his best friend overseas, right?”

Lucy nodded, and she continued. “Well, he’s never really gotten over that. He was vulnerable, and I suspect he married, attempting to fill a void, but she wasn’t right for him. I tried to tell him, but of course, Mom’s opinion doesn’t matter in situations like that.”

“Perhaps it was a mistake he needed to make,” Lucy said. “It certainly cured him of wanting to marry again. Seems like you’d be happy about that.”

“It’s not that I don’t want him to marry.” She paused, apparently collecting her thoughts. “In the circles I run in, I see a lot of women interested in just one thing. And I feel compelled to warn my boys and take care of things if needed.”

“Well, there’s nothing here that needs ‘taken care of,’“ Lucy said. “Jack doesn’t want a wife or a baby, so I’m sure I’m off his radar. We’ll be civil to each other, but I don’t see any sort of future together.” A damn tear escaped, and she cursed it.

“You love him though.” It wasn’t a question.

More tears followed the first. “Sorry,” Lucy said, swiping at them. “Must be all the hormones.”

“Lucy,” Meredith said. “I owe you an apology. It was unfair of me to judge you so harshly.”

Lucy got the impression this woman didn’t offer many apologies and gracefully took the olive branch. “You love Jack and want to protect him. I get it.”

“I actuallyamexcited to be a grandma,” she said with a genuine smile. “Whatever happens between you and Jack, I would like to be a part of the baby’s life. If that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Lucy said. Not the McAllister she was hoping would get involved, but she wouldn’t deny the woman a chance to know her grandbaby.

Not ten minutes after Meredith left, Jack texted, saying he wanted to talk as soon as possible.

Here goes nothing, Lucy thought. She set up a meeting with Jack for that evening and then texted Lizzie.

You’re up, sis. Seven pm at the bar. Lizzie would know what she meant.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Jack sat at the table, hands wrapped around a Jack and Coke. Lucy said seven o’clock. It was five past, and she still hadn’t shown. He thought it was odd she wanted to meet at her sister’s bar, considering she couldn’t drink. At least, he hoped she wasn’t drinking. That wouldn’t be good for the baby.

The baby. He let out a breath and took a swig of his drink. He’d had some time to wrap his head around the idea, but still wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

Finally, Lucy walked in. Except that he could tell right away it wasn’t Lucy. She came and sat opposite him.

“Lizzie, what are you doing here?” he asked. “Where’s Lucy?”

“I am Lucy,” Lizzie said, faking a hurt look.

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