Page 51 of Sterling Fight

Simon looks me up and down once more. “What happened to that other lady?”

What other lady? Oh, he means Heather.

Before Judd answers about the other lady, I extend my hand toward Simon. “Nice to meet you, Simon.”

“Remember what we talked about,” Judd questions. “Shaking hands is a polite way to greet others.”

Simon clasps his hand in mine. “Nice to meet you.” He enthusiastically pumps my hand once and offers an extra-large grin. I can’t read kids, so I don’t know if he’s being genuine or sarcastic, but I follow Judd’s lead. This boy is important to him, and I can’t help my next thought. Is he Judd’s son?

We haven’t discussed children. Not as in us having them, but rather, if Judd has any. My heart is racing at either thought.

Judd stands and Simon is patting Judd’s pockets. “You bring me anything?”

“Simon,” Trudy chides.

Judd chuckles while affectionately rubbing his hand over the boy’s head and then gently cupping his chin. “I told you, not every visit comes with a gift.” Judd pats his firm chest. “Today, I’m the present.”

Simon phffts, but his smile says he’s just as happy to see Judd as receive something from him.

“Simon, show Judd your new summer clothes, and then outside with the two of you.” Her voice is kind while direct. She isn’t taking any nonsense from anyone. “Us ladies will step into the kitchen and grab a cool drink.”

Judd runs a hand up my back before kissing my temple and I relax a little bit. Simon takes off for somewhere in the house, but Trudy places her hand on Judd’s arm, halting him from following Simon.

“You still doing that thing.”

Judd side-eyes me and he slowly lowers his head like a chastised child. “Yeah.”

Instantly, I understand that Trudy Wallace knows Judd has been fighting but strangely the topic never came up with his family.

“When you gonna quit?” Her tone is soft with concern.

Judd shrugs, keeping his eyes lowered.

Trudy purses her lips like she has more to say about that thing he’s doing but won’t speak of it in front of me. She releases his arm with a gentle pat, and he heads toward wherever Simon went.

Trudy leads me to a kitchen that is small but bright, with stainless-steel appliances and fresh white cabinets.

“Finally got myself a cozy cottage just for me and now I got Simon.” She chuckles unbegrudgingly as she opens her refrigerator. “Lemonade okay or would you prefer sweet tea?”

“Sweet tea would be great.”

As she busies herself retrieving a pitcher from the fridge and removing glasses from an upper cabinet, I notice pictures of Judd and Simon on a bulletin board near a door that exits to the yard. The collection appears to be recent. Both boys are wearing Chicago Anchor gear in one image. In another, they are inside what looks like a tree fort. Another picture includes a beautiful woman with tan skin and silvery eyes like Trudy. Her and Judd have Simon between them, the camera close to their faces and all three are smiling.

Suddenly, my throat is tight, and I blink a few times, certain I’m missing something. Did Judd love someone else before Heather? Did they have a baby? I stare at the picture of Simon, trying to see a connection between Judd and this beautiful woman.

“That’s my niece. Tallulah Alexander.”

I turn to find Trudy standing close behind me, staring lovingly at the picture.

“They make a beautiful couple,” I say. A beautiful family. Instantly, I’m jealous, when I have no right to be. Judd could have loved someone once upon a time. He should have a lovely partner and adorable offspring. Maybe I’m only hurt that he hasn’t mentioned her or Simon before today.

Trudy chuckles and grimaces. “Judd and Tallulah would never be a couple.” She laughs harder. “He’s too reserved for her over-the-top personality.”

“Oh.” I can’t explain the rush of relief that washes through me. The gratitude that Judd wasn’t with this other woman.

“They’ve made a beautiful child, though,” I continue, certain Simon is theirs.

Trudy laughs loudly, like I’ve told the funniest joke.