Page 48 of More Bite than Bark
Hex couldn’t help the smile hearing those words from her mouth brought to his face.He wanted to hear them again, in an entirely different context, but he could wait.
AnhourlaterHexpulled his pickup into the driveway at Mother’s place and parked.
“Ready?”he asked, twisting in his seat to look at Elle.
“Yep.”She reached over and covered his hand with hers.“We got this.As long as we stick together, we can do anything.”
He smiled, turned his hand over and gripped hers.“You’re right.Let’s go beard the lion in its den.”He braced himself for the ass chewing he knew was coming, and got out of the truck.
“You’re being dramatic.Your mom’s not that bad.Besides, you handled mine just fine and that’s an accomplishment,” Elle said as he helped her down from her seat and closed the truck door.
“I guess we’ve all got issues with our own parents.”
Mother wouldn’t say anything really bad in front of Elle.She would call or corner him away from her and tell him off for getting Elle pregnant and not marrying her before word got out.He’d always hated southern expectations, and this was just another example of that.It wasn’t like he was abandoning Elle or their child.
Elle offered her hand and Hex took it, liking that she wanted to do this together.Hand in hand, they headed up the steps and across the porch.Before they reached the door or had a chance to knock, the front door opened.Mother stood looking back and forth between them for a moment then her gaze dropped to their joined hands.Hex watched as a series of emotions crossed Mother’s face.It only took her a moment to school her expression and smile at them.She went to Elle first and pulled her into a hug.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you.How are you doing?Are you okay?”
Elle released his hand in order to hug Mother back.Hex watched the two of them and knew Mother would be nicer to Elle than her mama had been, but who knew what she’d say to him.His only comfort was knowing she wouldn’t say it in front of Elle.
After a moment, Mother released Elle, who reached down and took his hand once more.He liked that she wanted him close.
“Is something wrong?You rarely stop by this early unless there’s a problem.”Mother looked at Hex.“No, wait.What has come over me?Come on in.Can I get you something to drink?Are you hungry?”
“We just ate, but I could use some coffee,” Hex said letting Elle go ahead of him into the house.
“You know where it is,” Mother said.“Get a cup for Elizabeth too.”
He looked at Elle and she shook her head.He understood why.He’d been there when the doctor recommended she limit her caffeine.
“Water?”He kept his voice soft, just for her ears.
Elle nodded.Hex released her hand and headed for the kitchen while Mother led her into the sitting room.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ElizabethfollowedMitzieintothe sitting room, knowing she needed to wait until Kevin came back to share the news and not knowing what to say until then.
“How are you doing, dear?”Mitzie said as they sat.“I talked to your mother last night, she said you seemed to be doing all right, but she didn’t say anything more.Are you really okay?”
“I am.”Elizabeth smiled.They’d told Mama she’d moved in with Kevin, but not anyone else.It seemed Mama hadn’t shared that, even with her best friend.“Did she tell you I moved out of my apartment?”
“She did, but not where you went.I didn’t want to press, so I didn’t ask.”
“I was already planning to move out, obviously, but suddenly, where I was planning to go was off the table.”
Mitzie frowned, as if that hadn’t occurred to her.
“How did you find somewhere to live so quickly?”
“She didn’t find somewhere, I did,” Kevin said as he came into the room, a mug in one hand and water bottle in the other.He handed her the water, it was cold, he must have gotten it from the fridge.
“You did?What do you mean?”Mitzie looked confused.
Elizabeth looked at Kevin, wondering what was going on if Mama hadn’t told Mitzie at least this, she’d known for a week already.Was she that embarrassed by it?
“I moved in with Kevin,” Elizabeth said, turning back to look at Mitzie.
