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“Well, thank you. I guess that’s my next stop.”
Chapter One Hundred Eight
Chet
“Mama, we have got to talk.” I walked into the kitchen and folded my arms, looking sternly at my mom.
“What is it, son?” She glanced up at me and then looked back down at whatever she was rolling out on the countertop.
“Mama, I saw the newspaper with the ad that you created.”
“What ad, son?” She didn’t look up this time.
“Mama, I’ve got the newspaper with my name and my photo saying that I’m looking for a wife.”
“You’re not looking for a wife, Chet?”
“Mama, you know I’m not looking for a wife.” I walked over to her. “You’ve got to stop this. You’ve already got three sons getting married, why do you care about me?”
“Because you are my next oldest, Chet, and out of all my sons, you’re the one that needs a good woman the most.”
“What are you talking about, Mama? I don’t need a good woman. I’ve got you, I’ve got Sadie, I got Olivia, I got Lucy, I got Eloise, I got Arya.”
Mom stopped rolling and looked up at me. “Do you really have Eloise and Arya? What happens when they leave?”
“What do you mean, when they leave? Where’re they going?”
“They’re not going to stay here forever, you know. Arya wants to make a life for herself and Eloise. And as much as I would love them to stay here, she doesn’t feel comfortable.”
“Well, we’ll just have to make her feel more comfortable, won’t we?”
“Chet, we’re not her family, we can’t make her stay. She’s got no job and she’s got no money. And I need to talk to you about what you did with Chip.” She pressed her lips together. “That was not…” She paused.
“Yes, Mama?”
“I have to hold my words right now, Chet, because I was about to say something very unladylike.”
My eyes widened. “You’re really mad at me, Mama?”
“Yes, son, I’m mad at you. You know how important it was to Arya to have that job. And it came with free accommodation! You ruined that for her.”
“I was looking out for her, Mama. You know the sort of guys around here, and she’s working at a bar? She’s too innocent, and Eloise? I can’t have her around those people.”
“It’s none of your business though, Chet. It’s not up to you where Arya works or what Eloise is doing.”
“Mom, do you really want Arya and Eloise living on top of a bar?”
“No, but it’s her choice to make. We’ll always be here if she needs to leave.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t going to wait for something to happen before she came back.”
My mom let out a deep sigh. “Sometimes, Chet, I don’t know if I should scold you or hug you.”
“Just keep loving me, Mama. You know you raised a cowboy. I’m doing the best that I can.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Indeed. Is that why Arya spent the night in your bed last night?”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “What? What are you talking about?”
