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Mom made a face. “Oh, that sounds invasive. How does Kyle feel about all this?”
“He’s worried. And rightly so. It’s all so nerve-wracking. But I can’t imagine a judge on the planet that would look at everything he’s done for Katie and give Josie custody.” I was interrupted by the waitress coming over to take our orders.
When she was gone, Mom frowned. “And how are things with the two of you?”
“Fine. Why wouldn’t they be?” I couldn’t quite make eye contact.
“I know Kyle’s a good man, but it has to be strange living there with him, pretending to be married. It really seems so convoluted.” She shook her head.
“We get along great. And I adore Katie. She’s a great kid,” I said.
“She is a dear little girl. She reminds me a lot of how you were at that age. Smart as a whip and sassy as all get out.” Mom laughed.
“She is definitely sassy. The other night she decided she wanted to try on some of my makeup, so I helped her put on lipstick and blush. She pranced around the house like the queen of Sheba.” I grinned at the memory of the way Katie had sashayed about.
Mom was giving me a shrewd look. “Sounds like you’re getting awfully attached to her.”
I groaned. “Don’t you start too.”
Mom seemed taken aback. “What do you mean?”
I patted my forehead with my napkin, still feeling sweaty even with the air conditioning blasting. It was the hottest May in fifty years. I couldn’t imagine what summer would be like. “Kyle says his mom isn’t too happy about my relationship with Katie, either.”
“What could Gail possibly have a problem with?” Mom sounded indignant. “You’re a wonderful woman and a great role model for that little girl. She should be thankful you’re in Katie’s life.”
I appreciated Mom’s instant defense of me. Even if she had her own misgivings, she got over it quickly in the face of someone else’s disapproval of me. “I think she’s more worried that Katie will become attached to me and that when this is all over, I’ll disappear in a poof, never to be heard from again.” I spoke about it in an offhand way, but Mrs. Webber’s criticism stung.
“I suppose I understand her concerns. We’re talking about a two-year old’s feelings,” Mom said.
“I’m not just going to drop out of Katie’s life like that,” I protested weakly, knowing why people would think that. Hadn’t that been what I did to this town? Hadn’t I disappeared, never to be seen again until I decided it was time to come back?
“I know you wouldn’t, Whitney. You don’t need to convince me.”
I was saved from having to respond by the arrival of our food.
The conversation was less serious after that. We talked about Mom’s garden and the new book club she and Adam’s mother started.
“We’ve chosen “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” as our first book. Apparently, it’s very edgy,” Mom informed me. “Leonard says it’s a movie as well, and that when I’m finished, we’ll have to watch it.”
“Oh, you and Leonard are still talking?” I asked, trying not to pry. I still didn’t quite know how to talk to my mother about her dating life. It was very uncharted territory.
Mom trained her gaze on her plate, pushing lettuce around with her fork. “Yes, and he’s actually taking me away for the weekend to his cabin by the lake.” Her jaw was tense as if waiting for me to attack her.
“Oh,” was all I said, taking a bite of my sandwich.
Mom lifted her eyes to look at me warily. “You don’t have anything to say about it?”
“Should I have something to say about it?” I put a French fry in my mouth.
“You can tell me if it bothers you. I understand it must be hard for you and Meg to see me with someone else. But Leo is a wonderful man. We’ve taken things really slow. We’ve only just slept together—”
“I don’t need the details, Mom,” I interjected, trying not to cringe.
“I’m only saying that it’s not as if I’m jumping into bed with the first man to give me some attention. I’ve been asked out quite a bit since your dad passed away, I’ll have you know. And I turned them all down. Leo’s the first I wanted to spend time with,” she huffed indignantly.
“Why are you being so defensive? Have Meg or I given you any indication that we’re not supportive? Has either of us made you feel bad for dating Leonard? Meg thinks it’s great, and I do too.” I took her hand, and she relaxed noticeably.
“I don’t want either of you to ever think I’m forgetting about your father. He will always be the love of my life. It’s been so hard without him, but Leo makes life less lonely.” Her smile was a little watery and her eyes wet, but she seemed happy. The happiest she had been since my dad died.
