Every Way (Brush of Love 4)

“I’m headed there now. What’s up?”

“There’ve been some changes I know he wants to talk with you about. He said if I saw you to tell you he wanted to see you.”

“I know about them. I just got back from a meeting with Ellen. Let him know I’m headed his way now.”

“Will do, Bryan. And get me that damn wallpaper!”

“I’m working on it!”

Jack did have a point. I was running the risk that Hailey might be upset with me for doing all of this behind her back. I was trying to leave her enough creative room with decorating while still decorating it so she didn't feel the need to fix up an entire house after having a child. I figured the wallpaper would be a good second choice for the work she had put into the nursery in our current house over the past couple of weeks. Even though I’d tried to convince her not to do it.

But even though I was worried about her being upset, I was ready for this project to be over. I was ready to present to her the gateway that would usher us into our new life together. I was ready to show her the home we would bring our child back to. The home we would fill with memories. The home she would call her art studio and her safe place to fall.

I was ready to give her everything, and I smiled to myself as I got in the car and made my way to see Foreman Duke.

Nothing could bring me down off this cloud.

Nothing could get in my way.

Chapter 4

Hailey

“How are things at the foundation going?” Dorothy asked.

“Good. Ellen St. Claire has been on board for everything I’ve thrown up so far, and the board has approved all the changes I’ve wanted to make in order to bolster efficiency,” Bryan said.

“That sounds lovely. Ellen is a wonderful woman. It’s a shame what happened with her husband, though I hear she’s available now,” Dorothy said.

“I’m sure she’ll find someone special,” Bryan said.

It was time for our monthly dinner with Bryan's parents. Every time we came over to eat, something always blew up in our faces. I had a long first day back at the gallery, Bryan had gone to the foundation to work his first full-time day since they had hired him, and I was already on edge. My rational mind knew Dorothy didn't mean anything by the comment about Ellen being single, but my raging pregnancy hormones started that nagging voice in the back of my head, the voice that told me she was about to start drama that I was going to inevitably finish.

“Who all is on that board?” Michael asked. “I know Kevin Montgomery heads it up.”

“He does. His wife, Charlene, is also on the board. I work closely with her since she aids the treasurer in securing and keeping tabs on our finances. There’s also Daryl Worth, his daughter Chastaine, Lisa and LaDonna Lotchkey, and Bret Cherish,” Bryan said.

“Well, it’s nice to finally hear you establishing connections with good people,” Dorothy said.

“Everyone I make connections with is a good person, Mom,” Bryan said.

“We can all have our opinions, dear,” Dorothy said.

I was growing more annoyed by the second, but I kept my mouth shut. Her eyes kept glancing over at me, trying to get a glimpse of my stomach protruding underneath the table. I knew she was about to turn the conversation toward me. I could see the question brewing behind her eyes. I picked up the food on my plate as I drew deep breaths through my nose, trying to settle myself for the argument I knew would eventually arrive.

“Do the two of you have a name for the child yet?” Dorothy asked.

“Not quite,” I said. “We’re still bouncing between Arianna and Lacy for a girl and Michael or Brendan for a boy,” I said.

I didn’t know how well Dorothy would take if I told her we would name a boy ‘John’, so I kept that to myself.

“Michael is quite a strong name. I’m fond of it,” Michael said.

“I’m sure you are, Mr. McBride,” I said, grinning.

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Michael? You’re our daughter-in-law and carrying our granddaughter!”

“Oh, it’s a girl! I knew it!” Dorothy said.