Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,64

deny who the bad guy was in this instance.

Mom answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hey, Mom. It’s Tomi.”

“Tomi? Oh, my boy.” Her accent always grew thicker when she got emotional. “How are you? How is your summer? I bet you’re not giving yourself a break. Just like your father. Work, work, work. All you two do is work.”

I smiled at the affection in her voice. If only she knew I’d given up my summer plans of work to be with a man in Jasper. And not just any man. “You know I like working hard. Keeps my brain alive.”

“I know. So dedicated. Are you teaching more this coming school year? They need to make you full-time. You are too smart and precious to be part-time anything.”

“No. Not yet. Just teaching two classes again. It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve been there, they can’t give me more unless some other professors retire. I have my research. It keeps me entertained. I’ll write more papers and submit articles to popular physics journals.”

She huffed, and I could envision her waving a hand in dismissal. “You need to get out more. Always with a nose in a book or on the silly computer. Have a vacation. Put your feet up.”

In response, I hitched my feet up onto the railing. She couldn’t see what I’d done, but it made me smile. “I’m working on that. It’s why I called, actually.”

“Oh?”

“I was thinking of heading to Jasper for the month of August.”

She gasped, and knowing my mother, her hand had flown to her mouth. “It is not nice to joke with your old mother. Tell me you’re serious.”

“I’m serious. I know I left on bad terms but—”

“Nonsense. You are always welcome at home. Your father will be thrilled. You know how he loves debating with you. You two chat, chat, chat about all sorts of things.”

“I know.” I chuckled. “They’ll be lots of time for that.”

“Should I make up a room?”

“No, I think I’ll find a hotel. I want some privacy since a month is a long time.”

“What about Shay? You could stay with him.”

I cringed. The last thing I wanted was to be around Shay and Josiah. Shay had taken to flaunting their relationship in my face. I had no residual feelings for Josiah, nor did I care that they were dating, but the constant looks of scorn and accusations were too much. I knew I had done wrong all those years ago. I didn’t need to be reminded every time I turned around.

“I don’t think Shay needs me crashing there. He has his own life, and I’d be in the way.”

“I don’t like it when my boys are fighting.”

“We aren’t fighting, Mom.”

We weren’t exactly getting along either.

She made a noise that told me she wasn’t buying my lie.

“I’ll talk to him. We’re fine.”

“When will you come? We’ll plan a nice dinner together.”

“I’ll be there August first.” That gave me two more days alone with Windsor before we switched up our routine. I hoped I didn’t regret this decision.

“Call your Dad and make sure we know you’re safe driving.”

“I will.”

“You should stay at the lodge. I could get you a discount.” Mom was all about getting a deal, and she had friends all over Jasper who could make it happen.

“I think I want somewhere a little quieter.” Less conspicuous. “I’ll figure it out when I get there.”

“Okay, my sweet boy. I’m so excited.”

We hung up, and I cradled my phone against my chest as I puzzled through all the layers of problems Windsor and I could run into with this change in routine. Then I reminded myself why it was necessary.

I sent him a text, letting him know it had all been arranged, then I booked a room at a small hotel at the edge of town.

Windsor returned around one that afternoon, a bottle of wine in hand, and groceries to make a special dinner.

He found me out back with my laptop and bent down to plant a soft kiss on my lips. “I thought I could make a nice meal and we could watch the stars come out later.”

“I’m not leaving, you know.”

“I know.”

But the wariness behind his eyes told me he didn’t believe me. He thought I had one foot out the door.

“Can I get you some wine? It’s … red. The lady at the store said it was a good one.”

“Sure.”

Another soft kiss and he disappeared inside the house. Not long after, he returned with a glass of red and a