Mike. I’ll be filling out the paperwork this week.”
“That’s wonderful. You won’t regret it.”
“We all feel very good about it. It will be strange not having him in the house, but it’s probably best that he has his freedom.”
“That seems very important to him.”
“I know, and I understand it, although that puts us one step closer to being empty nesters again,” Reba said with a sigh. “Mads is staying with us while she’s in town, but once she finds a place to live, that’ll be it.”
“You don’t sound like you’re looking forward to that.”
“Parenting is a funny thing, Chloe. When you raise children, you have days when you’re not sure how you’ll survive, and as they get older, you wonder how you’ll survive without them.” Her tone turned solemn and she said, “And then there are parents who survive their children, and you wonder how they manage.”
“I can’t imagine,” Chloe said softly.
“Hopefully you won’t ever have to. Lord knows if it were up to my son, he’d build you a perfect world in which hardships didn’t exist.”
Chloe felt herself smiling. “He is very protective of me, but he seems that way about everyone he’s close to.”
“Yes, all our children are. I’m not one to meddle in my kids’ lives, but I have never seen Justin happier, and I know that’s because of you. So I am going to meddle, just this once. He loves you, sweetheart, and the Wicked men are a passionate group. They tend to act first and think about consequences later. If he gets too protective and you feel smothered, I hope you’ll find a way to let him know so he can try to fix it. He’s got a really good heart, but even big, strong men can be scared of losing the things they love most.”
Chloe realized how much Reba must like them as a couple for her to trust Chloe with her motherly advice. “Don’t worry, Reba. I’m no pushover. I have no trouble speaking my mind.”
“I gathered as much. My boy could never be this happy with a woman who wasn’t every bit his equal, and then some. But as a mother, it doesn’t matter how old your kids get, the worrying never ends. I’d better let you go before I get myself in trouble by rambling on about him or how wonderful everyone thinks you are. Thank you again for being so patient with my questions the other day, sweetheart. I know we’re doing the right thing for Mike.”
Chloe had no sooner taken a breath after she ended the call than Alan walked into her office. She tried to read his expression, hoping he’d approved the funding for her program, but he had a half smile on his face that gave nothing away.
“Hi, Alan. I was just wrapping up a few things before coming to see you.”
“I was in your neck of the woods and thought I’d save you the walk down the hall.”
He walked around her desk and sat on the corner of it. She shifted in her seat, glad he was sitting and wouldn’t be encroaching any further into her personal space. His eyes swept over her desk and then briefly over her. Justin’s worries trickled through her mind, and she tucked her legs beneath her desk.
“That’s a pretty new dress,” Alan said without a hint of innuendo. “It’s only appropriate that you’re wearing something new to celebrate the news that your trial program has been approved.”
“It has?” she exclaimed. “That’s fantastic. Thank you, Alan. I know this program will make a difference in the lives of our residents.”
He stood up and extended his hand. “Congratulations, Chloe. You’re doing great things here.” She rose and shook his hand. He put his other hand over hers and said, “With my support, there’s no limit to how far you can go.”
“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” she said as he released her hand. “It means the world to me.”
“I wish you’d consider attending that conference with me this weekend. It could be beneficial to your career.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s my birthday this weekend, and Justin has already made plans for us.”
“Justin Wicked?” he said with an air of distaste.
She held her head high and said, “Yes, Justin Wicked.”
His eyes narrowed. “I thought you said you weren’t dating him.”
“I wasn’t when you asked, but things have changed.”
“Have they? Or were you keeping the truth from me so I’d hire him to do the work on my patio? Because that would