Holding his Hostage - Amy Gamet Page 0,32
bit. Hopefully you can find what you need more easily without the children tagging along.”
“I’m not used to being without them.” Jo sat on the edge of the bed. “Even after David and I split up, he’d only take them for the day. They spent every single night under my roof with me.”
Evelyn sat beside her. “Every night?”
“Except for the occasional sleepover at a friend’s house for April.” She hung her head. “Stupid to get upset about it.”
Evelyn’s arm came around her shoulders. “Oh, it’s not stupid at all. I remember when Sloan was little, I refused to let his father put him in his crib at bedtime. I wanted him next to me. That boy slept in a bassinet until he couldn’t fit in it anymore.” She stroked Jo’s hair. “I’ll bet you’re a wonderful mother.”
How many times had this woman acted as a mother to her? Jo’s own mom had died when Jo was four. She had only a handful of memories of her, and none of them distinct. But Evelyn had been different, forever offering up her sound advice and comfortable shoulder whenever Jo had needed it. “April hates me. Lucas misses his father, and I have no idea what to do with that.”
“And Fiona?”
“She loves me, but give her time.”
Evelyn chuckled. “That sounds about par for the course. Just keep your chin up and know, the one thing they’ll remember most is love.”
Jo sat upright and wiped her nose. “Thanks, Ev. I really appreciate the pep talk.”
“Cut yourself some slack. I imagine it can’t be easy to be around my son, either.”
Jo bit her lip, needing to talk honestly with this woman, yet unsure if she should. “Did Sloan tell you I asked him to marry me before he went in the Navy?”
“He did.”
“He wouldn’t do it. I didn’t understand why, and I was so hurt and angry.”
“He was devastated when you two broke up. And when he found out you’d married David… well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. He’s never been quite the same, you know. He’s different when you’re around. I was watching him talking with you in the RV, and I think it was the first time I’ve seen him truly happy in a very long time.”
“We were fighting.”
“He’s happy.”
“He wants to take me to dinner.”
“And what do you want to do?”
“Say yes.” She looked at her hands. “But the kids already like him too much, and I’m afraid they’ll get attached.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“If things didn’t go well between me and Sloan, yes. They just lost their father.”
“And you don’t want to risk it.”
“That’s right.”
Evelyn took her hand. “Risk is what makes life worth living.”
“Risk gives me panic attacks.”
The older woman laughed. “I’m being serious, Jo. Every good thing can only enter your life if you’re willing to shake things up a little. Otherwise, your life will never change.”
“But the kids need stability.”
“And love. It’s clear to me they have yours in spades, but if they’ll ever have it from another parent, you will have to open that gate.”
“He’s only been gone a few days!”
“And if you were in mourning, I would bow my head and weep with you, sweetheart. But you’re not. You aren’t holding that gate closed with all your might because you just lost your love. You’re holding it closed to keep love out. And that’s something I just can’t abide.”
Joanne pulled her hand back. “It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it? Or are you making it more complicated than it has to be?” Evelyn stood and picked up a folded blanket from a chair. “Now move your tuchus so I can finish making this bed.”
This woman should have been a lawyer. She could peel back the layers on any argument, exposing the hard truth beneath. “He broke my heart.”
“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. Up.”
Jo stood and moved to the other side of the bed to help. “And I’m scared he’s going to do it again.”
Evelyn spread out the blanket over the bed. “He might. But you’ll never know without trying. And he just might be the best thing to ever happen to those kids.” She smiled. “I should get dinner started so you two can eat before you get back on the road. That’s if I really can’t convince you to stay the night.”
“There isn’t enough room. Besides, Sloan wanted to get a look at the warehouse tonight while no one’s there.”
“A big old warehouse on the river, at night. Sounds terrifying.”
Joanne nodded. But the clock was ticking