sense for when people are thinking about you?” I asked.
My mother laughed. “No, but I know that Jackson and Hailey just left there. I called out to the house, and their housekeeper told me.”
“Shouldn’t you be in bed.”
“Well, I just couldn’t sleep until I knew how things were going. I felt bad about the way we ended things.”
“You mean with you threatening me and giving me a deadline?” I asked.
“Oh, stop being dramatic, Walker. You know I only want what’s best for you. IT seems your brother and sister in law are in on your little endeavor, though, so I will drop it for now. I want to talk with you, though, and not over the phone.”
I groaned. “Mom, things are hectic right now.”
“Make time,” she demanded. “I heard a rumor today that I want to speak with you about, and I don’t want to do it over the phone where you can be evasive.”
My heart dropped. “Okay, mom, but it will have to wait a few days.”
There were any number of rumors she could have heard but only one that would force a face to face meeting. Harrison. The butterflies in my stomach seemed to be doing somersaults at the thought of telling my mother that I had a son. I couldn’t begin to predict how she was going to react, but I’d seen a little insight when Jackson had thought he’d gotten a woman pregnant, and it wasn’t good.
“Fine, you have two days to set something up with me for a real meeting, or I’m going to show up out there and set up camp. I know you think I’m being ridiculous, but it isn’t just your reputation on the line. It’s all of the Wheelers when you think about it. I won’t watch this family's name be drug through the dirt because of your stubbornness.”
“There is no stubbornness involved, mother. I am in a delicate situation that I can’t talk about with anyone else right now. Can you please just respect that? You said two days, I’ll make sure to have answers when you come to set up camp.”
“Have you spoken with Thompson recently? I swear that boy is following in your and Jackson's footsteps. It seems like he’s got a little drama of his own.”
“I haven’t talked to him in the last few days, but I’m sure he’s fine. He’s young and enjoying his life.”
“I hope you’re right, and I hope he isn’t enjoying it too much. I won’t think twice about setting up a contract like we did with Jackson if needed.”
“I wouldn’t worry about him too much; he’s just out having fun, but you know he wants to settle down like all the good little Wheeler boys.”
“What about you, Walker? Are you a Wheeler who wants to settle down too?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure what I want anymore, but I promise that I will let you know once I find out.”
“Good,” she said with a note of finality. “I’m glad you are starting to see things my way. I’ll see you then. I love you, son.”
“Love you too,” I muttered.
When the call was over, I sat looking at my phone for several minutes, willing Stacy to call me back. With each passing minute, I knew it was a waste of time. She had a son and was probably exhausted. With Hailey in the wings to help me, there wasn’t much I could do until the next day. Still, sleep was going to evade me; I already knew it. Since I’d fallen asleep with Stacy in my arms, the bed didn’t feel right without her anymore.
16
Chapter Fifteen (Stacy)
“Just call him already,” Matty grumbled.
I glared at her. “I did last night, and he didn’t answer, remember?”
“Right, then when he called you back, you didn’t answer. So, the two of you are even. He’s called twice more this morning.”
“I know, I’m going to talk to him, okay? I’m just trying to think of what I want to tell him.”
“Why don’t you start with, ‘the sex was great, let’s do that again, now we can all move into your giant house.’ I think that will work.”
I laughed. “Wow, you have it all planned out, don’t you? I just need time to think.”
“You aren’t ever going to have enough time. You just need to commit to answering that call when it rings again.”
“And if it does?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh please, it’s going to ring again, and you know it. If I didn’t have a doctor’s appointment, I’d