Silver Bells by jacquie biggar

Author:jacquie biggar
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-988126-06-7
Publisher: Jacquie Biggar

Chapter Nine

Christy stared at the woman who had become like a mother to her and fought to harness the sense of betrayal twisting her stomach into knots. “Why didn’t you tell me he was your grandson?”

Claire turned away from her contemplation of Joel’s departing back, her cloudy gaze contrite behind bifocal lenses.

“At first I didn’t realize you two had met, and then after I saw one of your drawings and found out he was your beach encounter….” She shrugged and fiddled with the spoon on the side of her teacup. “I didn’t think you would want me to keep taking care of your girl and I would have hated that. She makes me feel young again.” She smiled sadly at Jill enjoying her dish of ice cream.

The anger drained, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence. Christy hated to think Claire would consider her so shallow. It was true she was hurt by her friend’s subterfuge, but never dreamed of cutting the other woman out of their lives. Jill loved her like a grandmother. She was an important part of their family. It was just too bad she had to be related to… him.

She stretched across and caught Claire’s age-spotted hand in hers. “I’m sorry.”

She squeezed for a moment and let go, glancing down to see how much Big Ears was taking in. Thankfully she was too busy enjoying the rare treat to bother with the adults.

“It just caught me off-guard when I saw you two together. I don’t exactly have a good relationship with your grandson, as you know.” She hoped the pink staining her cheeks would be taken for the warm restaurant. “Anyway, we’ll be moving soon, so it’s a moot point. I hope you know you’ll always be welcome, wherever we are.”

“I’ll talk to Joel. He’s a good boy, I’m sure he didn’t mean what he said.” Claire began to dig through the many zippered compartments of her handbag until she came up with her cell phone.

“No, don’t,” Christy implored.

Her hands turned sweaty just thinking of Joel’s reaction. The noise of happy diners, and that of a boy only a couple of years older than Jill slamming the saloon doors leading to the restrooms so hard they almost hit the wall, grated on her stretched nerves. Joel would think she’d coerced Claire into making the call, and besides, she wasn’t sure she’d stay even if they reached a compromise. It would be too embarrassing. She couldn’t believe he’d accused her of trying to stage an accident in his home. And then she’d actually let him kiss her. Was she nuts?

It was his fault. Hypnotism was the only explanation. She couldn’t be attracted to him. He was everything she abhorred in a man.

Arrogant.

Annoying.

Overbearing.

But, she had to admit he was also kind and loving to his grandmother. Handsome enough to make her pulse jump. And yet, somehow… isolated. It was the last that got to her the most. Christy knew all about loneliness. Her life, even before the divorce, had been lonely.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.