“I did notice that,” she laughs. “It’s amazing what a good bite can do to a woman.”
“Uh…”
“Any-who, Blue took them both so Miffy and Seymour are his responsibility now. I just wanted to come check on you—”
“Let’s get back to the date you mentioned,” I interrupt, refusing to let Ida Sue sidetrack me like I know she’s trying to do.
“Yep, around seven. I’d dress nice, honey.”
“Ida Sue, I don’t have a date—”
“You do. Parker is taking you out to that new steak house. I hear it’s really good. It’s hurt a little of Addie’s business. It’s still doing fine, though. Addie is a born businesswoman and Kage has been a great help to her,” Ida Sue says, talking about her daughters-in-law. “I’ve taken a silent role myself. I’m too old to be working every day. Besides, Jansen gets upset if I neglect him. Turns out, being married is a lot of compromise.”
“Ida Sue, why is Parker taking me out, and how do you know about it before me?”
“Well, because I called him, dear. I had to make sure that if Blue called him, he sounded sick.”
“Why is this whole conversation giving me a headache? Why would Parker need to sound sick?”
“Because I lied and told him Parker gave you a stomach bug when the two of you went out Saturday.”
“Parker and I are just friends. We haven’t even seen each other in almost two months.”
“I know, and that’s really disappointing. Parker’s a good catch, Meddie, dear.”
“He’s also in love with Faye. I’ve had enough of men who don’t see me as their first choice. It seems to have become the story of my life.”
“Of course, he is. You don’t think I’d fix you up with someone that might actually fall in love with you, do you?”
I blink. “You just said you were disappointed I hadn’t seen him in two months? Weren’t you trying to fix me up with him?”
Ida Sue laughs like I told the funniest joke ever. “Why would I do that when you’re in love with my son?” She stands up and walks to the door.
“Blue and I are never going to be together. Whatever we had ended years ago.”
“The thing about Blue, baby, is he’s slow—well all of my children have proven to be really—except for Gray and he still almost screwed the pooch.”
I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I need to find a way to make it clear to her to let things go where Blue is concerned. “Ida Sue—”
“But he will eventually get there,” she proclaims, clapping her hands together. “You just make sure you’re ready for your date with Parker.”
“Ida Sue, please listen to me—”
“Honestly, I’m hoping seeing Parker dating might light a fire under Faye, too, but I’m starting to wonder. I may have to go visit that girl. Jansen won’t like that very much. He hates it when I matchmake. Oh well, maybe I can convince him I want to go there for a weekend getaway with him. Men fall for anything when they think with what’s between their legs and not what’s on their shoulders.”
“Ida Sue—”
“And God knows that’s usually what’s in control.”
She walks away, completely ignoring me. I fall back on the bed too tired to chase her down. I have a feeling it wouldn’t do any good, anyway.
Chapter 8
Blue
“Yeee----owwwww!” Miffy howls, almost sounding like a damn cat.
The scream screeches through the night. I open my eyes and stare at the clock. One in the fucking morning, and Seymour is getting more action tonight than I’ve had my entire life. How pathetic is that. He’s in there, probably knotted up with Miffy yet again, and here I am in bed alone on a Friday night.
Disgusting.
I sit up on the side of the bed and rub my hand over my face. I can hear rain falling down on the metal roof. It eases some of the stress inside of me. Maybe it’s because I’m born in March and a Pisces, but I love the rain. I’m not much on all that crap, but I think there’s probably something to it. I go stand in front of my bedroom window and watch the rain beat against the windowpane. It’s pitch black out there. The only light around is from the dusk to dawn light I have down by the barn.
I pick up my phone and don’t even look as I hit the numbers. I know them by heart—even if I shouldn’t. It’s late. She’s probably asleep. I should let her sleep. I’ll let it ring twice. If she doesn’t pick up, I’ll hang up. That simple.
“Hello,” she answers on the first ring.
“You’re awake,” I respond, not hearing any trace of sleep in her voice.
“Yeah, I can’t seem to fall asleep.”
“Are you still sick?” I ask, my voice gruff. I shouldn’t, but my mind wanders, and I allow myself to think about Meadow lying in bed, the rain outside, her hair strung over the pillow. I want her to be in my bed—and I shouldn’t.