Page 35 of Bless My Heart

“Yeah, well, you’re welcome. It’s always good to have a slice of humble pie now and then.”

“You definitely know how to serve it up.”

“Well, lucky for you, you probably have a ton of other women checking you out on a daily basis. That should be enough to get you back up to the prime Wes ego amount.”

“You’re the only one I want lookin’ at me, babe.” Sometimes he hits me with the sweet talk at just the right moment. It’s always exactly what I need to hear from him. I don’t know how he does it.

He hops out of bed to take his turn in the bathroom, but not before I make him put a shirt and pants on. The last thing we need is Anna to see him in his underwear. She’d probably try to climb him like a tree.

I quickly get dressed and make the bed up, even though I know my mom will wash the bedding after we leave.

Wes comes back into the room and runs his fingers through his hair a few times, confirming that my earlier assumption about his hair is correct.

We head downstairs, where there are already sounds of banging and clanging from the kitchen. Mom must be up making breakfast for everyone. Chance beelines for Wes as soon as he sees him.

“Uncle Wes, play with me?” Wes doesn’t hesitate. He takes my nephew’s hand and lets him lead him over to the living room, where Chance has set up a line of little cars. I watch for a minute before joining my mom and Anna in the kitchen.

I look at the spread of food already set out on the counter. It looks like mom is finishing up the scrambled eggs.

“Jeez, what time did y’all get up?” I ask them.

“Chance is always up by six without fail. Doesn’t matter what time he goes to bed. So that means I’m up at six. You’ll know all about that soon enough.” She looks at my stomach before going back to prepare a plate for Chance.

I haven’t really thought about what having a baby will mean yet. I’ve always wanted a baby but always felt like it was so far away or I wasn’t ready yet.

Mom finishes the eggs and goes to the living room to get the boys.

“Breakfast is served, y’all. Come on.” A few seconds later, Wes walks in with a laughing Chance thrown over his shoulder. “I hope you’re hungry, Wes. We’ve got a ton of food.”

“This looks great, Karla. Thank you.” He sets Chance down and grabs a plate for himself. I follow behind him, loading my plate as well.

Both of us head to the kitchen table to sit down. Wes helps me push my chair in and leans down to whisper in my ear, “There’s something else I’d rather be eating.” He gently bites my earlobe, and I know instantly I’m blushing.

He sits down next to me and starts eating like he didn’t just say that to me. I’m fairly certain this man will be the death of me.

Breakfast goes smoothly, and before I know it, Wes is tossing our bags in his Jeep to head back to Brunswick.

Before I leave, my mom pulls me aside and says, “He’s a good one, Haze. Don’t let this one go.”

“I don’t let any of them go. They always just go. That’s not my fault.”

“Mm hmm. I’m just saying, don’t be difficult. I know a good man when I see one. Your father and I have been together almost forty years.”

“Oh, so that makes you a relationship expert?”

“Yes, I think that gives me some credibility, Hazel.” I roll my eyes. My mom is unbelievable. I’m not going to convince someone to be with me. Not ever. Wes is a great guy. I know that. Everyone knows that. But I’m also a good person too. I won’t change anything about myself just to keep someone around. I’ve done that too many times, and I’m over it.

“Well, if Wes is as good as you say, he should want to be with me no matter what, right?”

“Hazel. Don’t let your pride push away a good man.”

“Whatever, Mom. Thanks for a great weekend.” I turn and hoist myself up into Wes’s Jeep.

I hear my mom call out, “Don’t be a stranger, Wes.” He gives Chance a quick hug and waves to everyone else before getting in the driver’s seat.

“Hey, you ok? What was your mom saying? You looked upset.”

“Oh, just the usual. Basically, to get on my knees to beg you to stay with me no matter what.”