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“Because you two are whispering and have been thick as thieves since I opened the shelter. Now, are you going to tell me what’s going on, or am I going to have to guess?”
Ida Sue frowns at me. I try to fight my grin. I figure that will only infuriate her.
“Fine. I want to know what you think you were doing?”
I crinkle my face as I try to figure out what she’s talking about. She’s upset, but I have no idea what it could be about. “Uh…I was cleaning the puppy cages,” I finally respond.
“Don’t piss on my back and tell me it’s raining, Meddie. You know what I’m asking. How could you play the mattress mambo with Parker when you’re in love with my son?”
“Ida Sue—”
“Okay, so Blue has had his head stuck in his ass and hurt you. I get that.”
“Ida Sue—”
“And yeah, he’s an asshole when he’s angry. I get that. Heck, Meddie, all men are when they get their egos hurt and you did that to my son for sure.”
“Ida Sue—”
“I know you didn’t mean it. Young hearts are complicated. Still, you were only supposed to use Parker not spread your legs for him.”
“Ida Sue!”
“Don’t raise your voice to me. This is your fault, little girl. Leddie, didn’t you ever teach Meadow how men don’t buy the milk if you give them the cow for free?”
I hold my head down. I refuse to yell her name again.
“I certainly did, but I think that’s buy the cow if they get the milk for free,” Mom says.
“Same thing. The point is she did it and now we’re all in a pickle.”
“That we are,” Mom says, nodding and sounding sorrowful.
“What are you two going on about?” I finally huff.
“We’re talking about the fact that you’re pregnant with Parker’s baby.”
“Ida Sue,” I murmur, my stomach somersaulting.
“Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m going to love that little booger like my own grandchild. Parker’s a good guy. He won’t desert you. It’s just I was kind of hoping it would have my blood running through his or her veins.”
“Well, it’s going to have my blood,” Mom mumbles. Then, she gets this look on her face of pure joy and makes my heart flutter. “I’m going to have another grandbaby,” she whispers with awe.
“I guess I am. I mean, I like Parker. I think of him as my son anyway.”
“Ida Sue, I’m not having Parker’s baby.”
“You’re not?” she asks, finally stopping to let me talk, her eyes wide in surprise.
“No, of course not. Parker hasn’t even kissed me.”
“He hasn’t? And I thought that boy was smart,” she mutters.
“He is. If he had gotten her pregnant, I’d have ended up killing him.”
The room goes still as I look behind me to see Blue standing at the door. I really should have kept that door closed. Then at least I would have had some warning.
“You would not,” I mutter. This has suddenly gotten very complicated.
“I would. I drove down to Green’s fancy facility to do that this evening. I only stopped because Parker said he hadn’t touched you.”
“You did what? Are you insane?”
Blue shrugs.
“Wait, so if Parker isn’t the father of my grandbaby, who is, Meddie?” Mom asks and I sigh.
“I never said that I’m pregnant. What on earth gave you two that idea in the first place?” I ask, ignoring the fact that Blue comes up behind me to stand. I jerk as his hand comes to rest at the base of my spine. The heat from his touch feels as if it sets me on fire.
“You’ve been sick to your stomach, and you’re exhausted all the time,” Mom explains.
“There’s a stomach virus going around, and the shelter has been extremely busy,” I counter, praying this gets them to leave everything alone. I need to Blue to leave. I need time…
“But what about that home pregnancy test on your bathroom sink?” Ida Sue asks, and my heart stops mid beat, and this sick heat spreads through my body.
“I…uh…”
“Yeah, why would you buy a pregnancy test if you’re not sleeping with Parker?” Mom asks.
Jesus. I’m old enough I shouldn’t have to explain myself to my mother, but right now, I can’t even tell her she should mind her own business. I’m too aware of Blue’s hand on my back, his body next to mine, while he’s listening to every word of this humiliating conversation.
“It’s okay, Meddie. I know I went off the rails. You have every right to sleep with Parker. It’s none of my business. We all just need to concentrate on making sure you’re happy and healthy. That means we need to find you some help here at the shelter.”
“For the last time, I’m not sleeping with Parker!” I snap.
I immediately regret my outburst when I feel Blue’s fingers stretch across the base of my spine, his thumb stroking against the fabric of my shirt. I pinch the bridge of my nose, really wishing I could get out of here.
