um...” Why did Ivey have such a bad feeling about this?
With precision leverage, Vesta suggested, “Justin will probably be more comfortable with you near.”
Well, that cinched it.
Ivey shrugged her purse off her shoulder and set it on the entry table. She put her shoes by the front door and joined Corbin’s mother.
Lang and Hagan looked at each other with male-inspired smiles. “Come on, Hagan. You can snack on something while I mash the potatoes.” Together, they headed into the kitchen.
Vesta allowed Justin to guide the conversation, but in between kid-appropriate questions, she asked Ivey about her relationship with Corbin. Ivey answered where she could, being judicious with little ears nearby.
“I take it you live here?”
“Sort of? I mean, I stay here often since it’s more convenient—”
“She lives here,” Justin confirmed. “That’s why all the animals are here. Isn’t that great?”
Pleased with Justin’s attitude, Ivey met Vesta’s curious gaze and shrugged. “I still have my own house, but yes, I stay here most nights.”
“Wonderful,” she murmured, and Ivey could see the wheels turning.
Lang chose that auspicious moment to poke his head around the corner. He eyed both women, then said to Justin, “Time to wash up for dinner, bud. Make sure you do a good job, okay?”
“Okay.” Like a shot, Justin was off, the animals chasing after him.
“He’s a bottomless pit,” Ivey explained. “I think he could eat sunup to sundown and still be ready for more. Of course, he’s always active, too. Probably burns it off quickly.”
Vesta smiled at her. It was a cunning smile that made Ivey uneasy.
She tried to excuse herself on the pretense of supervising Justin.
Vesta didn’t give her a chance. “You’re good with him.”
Funny how such a simple compliment could immediately put Ivey at ease. “Thank you. I don’t have any children of my own, but he’s so sweet, how could I not love him?”
“Exactly.” Vesta leaned closer. “You love my son, too, don’t you?” When Ivey hesitated, Vesta gave her a nudge that almost toppled her. “You can tell me, honey. He’s wonderful, isn’t he? I know because I raised him to be that way.”
That made Ivey laugh. “Not that you’re biased or anything.”
“Of course I am, but it doesn’t change the facts. Both of my boys are incredible men. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
“They really are,” Ivey agreed. “Corbin bowled me over as soon as I met him. He’s so warm and caring about Justin, but also hot in the extreme.” She fanned her face. “Scorching hot.”
“Takes after his father that way,” Vesta whispered. “Lord, how I miss that man. But I don’t want Hagan to hear me say that. It would hurt his feelings, you know.”
By the second, Ivey liked Vesta more. “Hagan seems nice.”
“He dotes on me,” she confided. “When I was at my loneliest, Hagan brightened my spirits. I adore his company—but I can’t see me ever marrying him.”
Fascinated, Ivey turned to fully face her. “No?”
“Shhh... He can’t hear that, either.” She peeked toward the kitchen, must have decided they had privacy and admitted, “My finances would all have to be redone if I married again. Besides, I rather like the no-pressure aspect of just being together.” Turning up her nose, she added, “I’m the independent sort.”
“I can understand that.”
“Can you?” Vesta’s piercing gaze dissected Ivey until she blushed. “If my Corbin asked, would you marry him?”
“In a nanosecond. I’m not a fool.” Until the words left her mouth, it hadn’t occurred to Ivey that she should censor her reply. After all, this was Corbin’s mother. What she said to the woman might very well go directly into Corbin’s ear.
Well, shoot.
Unfortunately, Ivey had never been very good at censoring. “The thing is, Corbin has plenty going on right now. He definitely doesn’t need any other complications.”
With mock sympathy, Vesta asked, “Are you a complication, honey?”
The woman was damn tricky with her questions. “No, at least I hope not.” Was she a complication? What a repugnant thought. She’d have to ask Corbin. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy just to be with him.” For now.
Vesta snorted. “You’re not me, so don’t let him get too comfortable with that arrangement. Tell him how you feel and what your ultimate expectations are. You have to be firm with men, you know.”
“Mom,” Lang warned, interrupting.
Ivey looked up and found him leaning in the doorway, arms folded over his chest, his expression chiding.
Hagan sidled past. “I left my heartburn medicine in the RV. Be right back.”
Vesta watched him go, then turned