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“I didn’t know—”
“A house that would probably be better off flattened than repaired—”
“Annabeth,” he tried again.
“A son, a sweet precious boy, who needs building up—and someone to look up to. This job pays significantly more than my teacher’s salary. I don’t know what the offer is exactly—” she tapped the manila envelope in her lap “—but it will take care of the things I must take care of.” She shook her head. “Yes, this job is long hours and crazy parents and rats in the cafeteria...but it also provides the one thing my children need. Stability. With the twins coming...” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I need stability. We need it.” She pressed her hand to her stomach. “If something falls apart, I can take care of it. I have to take care of my family.”
The quiet grew, filling the truck cab until Annabeth couldn’t take it.
Ryder slid back into his seat and turned on the truck. He pulled through the soda shop on the way home, buying her a double dip of her favorite—butter pecan. But he didn’t say a word all the way home.
The top scoop of ice cream had all but melted by the time she went inside. Cody was so excited she gave the remainder to him, making him promise not to get too sticky since it was still a while until bath time. Ryder took Cody into the kitchen to prevent splattering the wooden floors with ice cream drips.
“How did it go?” Teddy asked.
Something about Teddy Boone’s question broke the dam. Maybe it was the glimmer of pride she saw on his face. Or the fact that she’d never had a father to look at her that way. Or that she was overwhelmed and exhausted.
Whatever it was, she burst into tears, her legs giving out beneath her. She flopped onto one of the leather sofas and pressed her hands over her mouth so Cody wouldn’t hear her, but she couldn’t stop the sobs.
Teddy sat beside her, hugging her against his barrel chest. “It’s all right, Annabeth. It’s all right. It’s just a job. If those idiots don’t see the gem you are, good riddance.”
“I—I got the j-j-job.”
Teddy kept patting her back, rocking her back and forth. “Oh. Well, then. You don’t want it?”
She shook her head. “I do. I do want it.”
“You don’t have to take it, Annabeth. You’re a Boone now.” He kept on rocking. “You can do anything you want. Hell, you could help me out here, at the Lodge. That’d be a real treat.”
Her sobs kept coming.
“Aw, honey, you’re breaking my heart.” Teddy’s voice was rough. “Been a long time since I comforted a woman. I’m afraid I’m not much good at it.”
She shook her head as she pulled out of his arms. “You’re the sweetest man, Teddy. I’m just an...emotional mess right now.” She sniffed. “I’ll take a shower.”
“Ryder and I will get Cody to bed,” Teddy offered.
“You don’t have to—”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.” Teddy’s voice was firm. “You go on, take a shower, read a book, whatever you need, you hear?”
Annabeth nodded, carrying the manila envelope into the bedroom with her. She closed the door, opened the envelope and scanned the information. They were giving her a raise—a big raise. No wonder Cutter was worked up. A big bump in medical benefits and retirement matching, as well. There was no way she could turn this down. She tossed the papers onto the bed, stripped and turned on the shower.
She rested her head against the tiles, willing the throb of her headache aside. She shampooed her hair, shaved her legs and stood under the jet until her skin was wrinkled. By the time she stepped out she was overheated and shaking. She didn’t bother with her pajamas, or brushing her hair. She slipped into bed and stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing.
Her phone rang. It was Josie. “Hi.”
“Annabeth? Do you have a cold?” Josie paused. “I’m so sorry I missed the meeting tonight. Eli had his Agriculture Club meeting and Hunter got called into the vet hospital for an emergency, so I was trying to be a good stepmom.”
“Eli’s meeting was probably more fun.”
“Well?” Josie asked. “Are you still the principal of Stonewall Crossing?”
“I am.” Annabeth tried for enthusiasm and ended up bursting into tears all over again.
“Annabeth?”
“I’m fine,” she blubbered. “Just...so...emotional.”
