with her hand, “I’m happy to share the love around here.”
“You really need to teach me.”
“I’d be happy to.” She watches the water boil. “Although I can’t think of a better place to work after you two tie the knot.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” She pulls a mug and drops in a teabag. “Jake’s a great boss, he’s generous and understanding. And he rarely ever makes a comment about my work here. I’ve grown to recognize his preferences and how he likes things done, and I do it well. I used to work here part-time before he offered me a full-time job.”
Little does she know, I could really use the help when the baby comes. I am more than grateful for her offer, especially that I would rather not have my mom move in here with us. With the way she acts around Jake, she can easily wrack my last nerve in the first week.
“That would be incredible,” I announce.
“Yeah?” She grins before pouring the water.
“Absolutely!” I accept the mug. “Thanks.”
“It’s good to know.”
I give her a smile and take a sip.
“It’s also good to see Jake so happy again.”
“Again?” I tilt my head.
Her eyes slightly freeze before she turns away, drying her already dry hands on the towel hanging by the stove.
“What do you mean ‘again’?”
Fumbling around, she looks like she’s about to panic about something.
“Oh my God!” she suddenly exclaims, hanging up the towel quickly. “I completely forgot that I need to pick something up from Dr. Emmett’s!”
“Oh?”
Baffled, I watch her rush out of the kitchen and then back again because she still has her apron on. She quickly unties it and tosses it onto the counter by the sink before walking out, her hands fixing her hair and pulling down the hem of her shirt.
“I’m so sorry, Belle.” She rushes toward the door. “I really gotta run.”
“No, that’s okay.” I quickly nod while my hands still hold my cup.
“Have a good one!” She flashes her hand up in a hurried wave, grabbing her purse with the other hand and storming out the door before I can even respond.
What is that all about?
I take my tea and slowly swagger around, my eyes examining the house while—instead of thinking that it’s about to be our place—I muse over Katie’s remark.
It’s good to see Jake so happy again.
I wonder what she was referring to.
On the matter of past relationships, Jake dismissed his history even quicker than I did mine. He said that he prefers to leave the past to the past. He never spoke of the women he had dated, nor has he mentioned their names or the circumstances of their breakups.
Although I remember telling him all about my past, and why each relationship ended, I can’t recall him detailing the same.
Was there a serious affair that I know nothing of? And if that is the case, why didn’t he tell me? Everyone has a past. Everyone has baggage. And it’s very rare for a couple in their twenties to be each other’s firsts.
What is he hiding from me?
Come to think of it, Jake’s knowledge of what goes into a wedding ceremony and reception did strike me as strange. But then I assumed that he must have helped one of his brothers with their marriage.
Shaking my head, I stare out the long window onto the front porch and garden outside.
Why did Katie look like she was caught red-handed in a shameful act the minute she realized what she had said?
I must bring it up again later and understand what’s going on.
When I go back home, Mom is reading alone in the living room while Dad is out somewhere.
“Hey.” I approach, apprehensive about asking for her opinion.
“Hello, my beautiful bride.” She puts down her book, her eyes examining me. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah.” I take a few steps, feeling lost. “I guess.” I sit down in the armchair across from her, my hands fidgeting in my lap.
“Honey?”
“Did Dad keep secrets from you?” I suddenly blurt it out for fear of changing my mind.
Her eyes widen and she raises her eyebrows, placing the book on the coffee table and leaning forward.
“What sort of secrets?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Did you know everything about him before you got married?”
“Oh, sweetie.” She titters, relaxing back. “Marriage is built on trust and understanding of the human nature.”
I fix my eyes on her and wait for her to continue.
“I don’t know what you think counts as a secret. But is this about Jake?”
“Obviously?” I slightly shake my head. Of course,