“A meeting,” Penny said smoothly. “Just an everyday old average meeting. Isn’t that right, Hud?”
But Bailey’s mother’s eyes ignored Hud entirely, locking on Bailey. “Then why are you all flushed and sweaty? You’re either running a fever or you were just—”
“Mom,” Bailey said, righting her cap. “Just give me a minute here to finish up and I’ll take you to the cafeteria where we can talk—”
“I came up here to see the mural you’re always talking about. I wanted to take pictures for all my friends who are constantly asking me how you’re doing and if you’re needing any more help, financially or otherwise. I thought—” She broke off and shook her head, and turned her hard, angry eyes on Hud.
He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Moore.”
She stared at his hand and then whipped back to Bailey. “We’ve been worried sick about you. You’ve been putting so many hours into work, and then on top of that coming up here to work some more—or so I thought.”
“Mom,” Bailey said with quiet reproof. “You’re being rude.”
“I’m being rude? I thought—” She broke off and shook her head. “Well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. I was wrong. You’ve been up here cheating on poor Aaron!”
Bailey stepped forward to take her mom’s arm and steer her out the door, carefully not meeting Hud’s eyes.
Which, for the record, Hud hated.
Bailey’s mom tugged herself free and shook her head again. “No. I’m not staying.”
Bailey sighed. “Mom—”
“I can’t,” her mother said, voice quavering. She took a step back, eyes shimmering. “I don’t even recognize you,” she said, and then she was gone.
Bailey started to go after her, but Hud caught her and held on when she tried to break free. He bent a little to look into her eyes.
Yep. Filled with humiliation.
Dammit all to hell.
He easily switched his anger from Penny to Bailey’s mother. But much as he’d like to, he couldn’t strangle the woman. She was Bailey’s mother. “Hey,” he said softly, holding her gaze and wishing she’d let him console her, wishing she’d acknowledge that what they’d just shared was worth fighting for. “That was pretty rough. Take a minute.”
She turned her head away from him so he couldn’t see but it didn’t matter. The stricken look in her eyes was now burned in his brain.
“I have to go after her,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want her on the curvy roads upset.”
And he didn’t want Bailey upset at all, but this wasn’t Christmas and wishes didn’t come true. “Bailey. Bay, look at me a minute.”
She turned back to him, eyes downcast. He waited and she finally lifted them up to his.
“Don’t let her cheapen what just happened,” he said quietly.
“You can’t cheapen a one-time thing,” she said just as quietly.
“This has never been a one-time thing.”
She shook her head, pulled free, and walked away.
Chapter 21
Bailey followed her mom to the parking lot. “Mom,” she said. “Please don’t leave like this.”
Still wearing the scrubs from her nursing job at Denver Urgent Care, Terri Moore turned back to Bailey, her eyes shimmering. “What was going on up in that office with that man, Bailey?”
“Mom, I love you, you know I do, but that’s none of your business.”
Her mom crossed her arms and inhaled sharply—a sure sign of defense that meant she knew Bailey was right but she wasn’t ready to give up the point. “I wanted you to end up with Aaron,” she said.
“I know you did.”
“He’s so perfect for you, and I thought after you had some time you’d see that and go back to him.”
“Mom.” Bailey reached for her mom’s hands and held them in her own. “I do love Aaron.”
“Well you sure have a funny way of showing that.”
“I love Aaron,” Bailey repeated. “But I’m not in love with Aaron.”
Her mom stilled and then sighed. “Oh, Bailey. He’s always been there for you, always. You’re going to break his heart.”
“We’ve talked,” Bailey said. “We’re okay. And if we’re okay, I need you to be okay. I need you to be happy for me.”
“But you’re alone!”
Bailey let out a breath. Her dad hadn’t exactly been a model husband. Her mother had never forgiven the male race. But for some reason, she’d loved Aaron since day one. “Being alone doesn’t scare me,” Bailey said.
“Well it should!” Her mother looked horrified. “I understand feminism and I can appreciate the sentiment, but that won’t keep you warm in the stormy times.” Her mom’s voice wavered. “And there are stormy times, Bailey. There are always stormy times.”
“Mom.” Bailey stepped in closer and pulled her into a hug. “That’s just life. There’s good and there’s bad. My happiness and safety won’t come from having a man. It comes from me.”
Her mom sniffed and pulled back just enough to meet Bailey’s eyes. She cupped her daughter’s face and sighed. “When did you get so wise?”
“I had a really great mom.”
Her mom’s eyes softened. “As long as you’re okay.”
“I’m okay.”
“And happy.”
“I’m happy,” Bailey said. “I’m so very happy, Mom.”