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Momma turned and wiped her hands down her jeans. The way she was looking at me made me feel uneasy. I pulled my brows in and tilted my head. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind, Momma.”
She folded her hands across her chest. “Not at all. I think it’s lovely he asked you.”
“Why do you have sarcasm in your voice?”
“Oh, hell,” Daddy and Ryan said at once.
“I have no such thing in my voice, Saryn. I believe that is in your imagination.”
She pushed off the counter and headed out of the kitchen. I followed.
“Daddy, can you watch Liliana?” I called back, not waiting for him to answer.
As soon as I caught up with her, I said, “Momma, if you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
Stopping, she turned and looked directly into my eyes. “I raised you better than that, Saryn. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for your father and me to be standing out there with those two men when you pulled up dressed in the same clothes you went out in? It was clear to all you had spent the night with a man.”
“So what, I’m a grown woman,” I said with a humorless laugh.
“Is this something you’re going to be doing often?”
Anger boiled up inside of me and I shook my head. “Momma, I wanted one night out and yes, a good-looking man paid attention to me and it’s been one hell of a long time since a man has looked at me like that. I wanted to let my hair down for once. I wanted to be reckless and do something all of my friends have done at one point in their lives. If that meant having a one-night stand, then so be it. And to answer you, no I don’t plan on doing that, ever again.”
Concern washed over her face. “Was he…”
“He was a gentleman. He even asked me out again, but I was up front and honest with him. I told him I wasn’t looking for anything more than that night. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed in me, but honestly, it’s none of your business.”
Her mouth opened to speak, then she shut it again.
“I’m sorry, Saryn, I didn’t mean to judge you, sweetheart. It’s just, I only want what’s best for you and Liliana. People still talk in this town, no matter how much it’s grown.”
I nodded. “I know they do.”
“It’s still not the same for women like it is for men. I know for a fact your brother has been a little bit of a manwhore since he broke up with Miranda. Peggy down at the corner store informed me she saw Ryan with some girl and they looked like they had just rolled around in a hay loft.”
I laughed. “They probably had.”
She sighed. “I also know he hooked up with a nurse you work with.”
With a stunned look, I asked, “How do you know that?”
“I have a lot of friends in this town. The gossip mill is as strong as ever.”
I sighed. “Do you think people will be talking if they find out I’m going shopping with Truitt?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. It’s not like y’all are doing shopping on the mile. And for him to be coming over here wouldn’t raise any eyebrows since he’s building the playhouse.”
With a nod, I replied, “Good. I don’t really want the gossip mill filled with details about me. Ryan is another thing.”
Momma winked and then pulled me in for a hug. “I just want what’s best for you, sweetheart.”
“I know, Momma. I know.”
Truitt pulled up exactly an hour later. I had rushed around trying to get Liliana dressed and ready. A cold front was expected to push through today dropping temperatures, so I had to pack us both something in case it got colder, especially since the Rim was an outdoor mall.
When the doorbell rang, Liliana ran to the door calling out Truitt’s name. She was beside herself with glee. I think she was even more excited to see Truitt than to go shopping. I was right there with her.
“Hold on, Liliana, there’s no fire.”
She jumped and clapped until I opened the door. My mouth gaped open when I saw Truitt standing there, a little bouquet of flowers in his hand. He bent down and Liliana threw herself at him.
“Okay, have you put some sort of spell on my child, Truitt? She has never acted this way before.”
He laughed. “Nonsense, I’ve seen her with Ryan and your dad.”
“Yes, but no other man. She’s usually very shy.”
“I told you, it was the playground that won her over.” He handed the flowers to Liliana and said, “These are for you, Princess Liliana. Lilies for Liliana.”
And there went my heart. And my legs. Nearly taking me to the ground. But a strange thought occurred to me. Was Truitt attempting to get to me through my daughter? If he was, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
