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I kissed her cheek. “Where’s Aaron?”
“He left for his shift a bit ago.”
At least he’d stayed with her again. The security detail and the black sedan were still stationed out front. Did these people sleep?
I leaned on the counter as she pulled an egg frittata out of the oven. “You talk to Joe?”
“Yesterday. He sounds like himself again.” She set the pan on the stove. “It’s like he was in a trance.”
That was exactly what it was like. I wasn’t sure he even realized he’d drunk himself stupid and drove. At least not when he did it.
“He wants me to go by the hospital and see the lady and her child.” She sliced the frittata, and I held a plate for her to pile it on. “I talked to my car insurance company. They gave me a list of body shops where I could get an estimate.”
“I’ll take it.”
She touched my shoulder. “I can do it.”
“They might give you the runaround and try to take advantage—”
“Don’t you dare say of an old woman.” She shook her spatula at me.
I held up both hands. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I took our plates to the table and grabbed a couple of forks. She sat down, reached for my hand, and said grace. When she finished, she kept her fingers around mine.
“What’s my baby boy doing here so early on his day off?” She squeezed. “I didn’t think I would ever get to meet her.”
It was terrifying how well Ma could read me. I was here because of Beau. She had me so mixed up, I didn’t know what to do. My instincts were pulling me in one direction and my head in another.
I let out a long breath. “I didn’t think you were either,” I finally said.
“She’s why you’ve never found anyone else.”
I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth.
She smirked. “Your father couldn’t keep anything from me. I kept waiting and waiting for you to bring her home, but you never did.”
“And you never said anything?” I asked incredulously.
“Your father told me not to meddle.” She shrugged. “You know how I am.”
I didn’t think she had it in her not to get involved. She’d never been shy about sharing her opinions or inserting herself in our lives.
“He liked her. Said you seemed real happy. Even held her hand.” She patted my arm.
I chewed slowly and swallowed. “I was happy.”
Had I ever admitted that? With Beau, I’d been ridiculously happy. She just . . . she was special. It was like I’d held on to a star for a brief moment in time.
“And now you’ve reconnected?”
I tapped my foot. That was one way to put it. “I—hell, I don’t know, Ma.”
She beamed. “I was pretty sure the other day, but now I’m confident.”
“About what?” I shoved eggs into my mouth.
“She’s the one.” Then she laughed. “She has you mixed up and turned about and I’m thrilled for you.”
