Mom in the Middle by Mae Nunn

Author:Mae Nunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“So, where’s that adorable baby boy of yours?”

Casey chirped the question as if arriving unannounced and uninvited on a virtual stranger’s doorstep was the most normal thing in the world. She’d changed out of the overalls into tailored navy slacks with a white silk blouse. She wore a stunning pair of snakeskin pumps that Abby guessed cost more than her entire school teaching wardrobe. Did the whole Hardy family have a thing about shoes?

“What a nice surprise,” Abby tried to sound pleased. She had a ton of work to get done, but she stepped aside and extended a hand inviting her guest in. “But if you’re looking for Guy, I’m afraid it’ll be a while before he and my dad get back.” She returned to the kitchen with Casey following close behind.

“So, let me get this straight. Guy took off with your father for the evening and left you here alone?”

“Sure. He’s been a huge help, offering to drive Dad to see my mom several nights a week. I run over there at lunchtime and then Guy takes Dad to visit in the evening.”

“Whew!” Casey fanned the back of her hand across her forehead, pretending to wipe sweat from her brow. “For a while there I thought he was coming over here to see you. That would have been a disaster in the making.”

The blunt words stung Abby like the unexpected attack of an angry yellow jacket. She assumed the composure she’d developed for dealing with the difficult parents of her schoolchildren.

“My goodness, Casey. Where would you get such a silly idea?”

“Yeah, it was dumb, wasn’t it?” She chuckled and shook her head at what seemed to be an absurd thought. “But with that man, trust me, it’s an easy mistake to make. I guess I didn’t need to interrogate him so hard after all.”

Interrogate him? No wonder he called this sister the Warden!

“Please don’t be hard on your brother, and certainly not on my account. Guy’s been very kind and a huge help to me.”

“That’s our boy all right.” Her tone was a curious mixture of sarcasm and fondness. “He has this all-consuming savior complex, which explains why there’s been a constant stream of women through his life. It’s always been Guy to the rescue! The helpful hardware man making things right. He’s bailed so many females out of their problems that it’s second nature to him now. It’s what makes him happy.”

So there it was. Saving the day was how he got his kicks. It wasn’t personal at all; it was his addiction. Casey was looking at her, waiting for a response. Abby’s tongue went dry, like she’d just inhaled a mouthful of dust.

“Well, he seems like a wonderful man so I’m not surprised he’s had his share of relationships.” She forced the comment to sound casual when the truth was her ribs ached from the verbal sucker punch. Then things got worse.

“Relationships? Ha!” Casey threw her head back, whooped over what was obviously some inside joke. “That man has the attention span of a gnat when it comes to relationships.

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