“Trust me. I didn’t bake that pie,” he said in a dry tone. “But I’ll take a cup if you’re insisting. I’ll be working outside, and it won’t hurt to get warmed up before I face the cold.”
“Just a moment,” she said, and returned to the kitchen to pour Colton’s coffee. As she reentered the den, she gave him the cup. “Any problems or just the regular endless chores?”
He nodded. “I need to do a little work on some fences. My dad’s back isn’t what it used to be, so I try to tackle anything that may cause him pain.”
“That’s nice of you,” she said. “He refuses to go to the doctor, doesn’t he?”
Colton nodded again. “He doesn’t believe in it. Says it’s a waste of time and money. The last time he went to the doctor, he nearly died from a burst appendix. And we almost had to beat him into going.”
“I remember when that happened,” Stacey said. “It was a long time ago. I’m sure someone has told him that there have been huge advances made in medical science.”
“All of us have told him that, but he’d rather eat nails than admit he’s hurting.”
“Maybe you can persuade him to go to the doctor if you take him out for lunch in Vicker’s Corners sometime,” she suggested.
“Possible,” he said. “Rachel might have better luck with him than I would. He has always let her get away with murder.”
Stacey laughed. “She would disagree and give you half a dozen examples of when she has gotten in trouble. But even I know he has been harder on you.”
“Yeah,” he said. “But I always felt as if I had good parents. I’m sure you feel the same way, too.”
“True,” she said. “My father can be a little remote sometimes, but he’s as solid as they come. After I had Piper, both my parents insisted I come back here to live with them.” A slice of guilt cut through her. “I just wish I could give Piper what I had growing up.” She felt the surprising threat of moisture in her eyes and blinked furiously. “It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Colton squeezed her arm. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. From where I sit, it looks as if you’re doing a dang good job. That baby is surrounded by people who love her. That’s more than a lot of kids can say.”
The tight feeling in her chest eased just a little from his words of encouragement. “Thanks. I have my share of doubts.”
“Well, stop your doubting. You’ve got a healthy baby, and she’s doing great,” he said. “Besides that, you’ve got a slice of Olive Foster’s famous apple pie in your future tonight.”
“The only way I’ll get a slice is if I hide it until after the meal,” she said.
“Well, that’s a no-brainer,” he said, and leaned toward her in a way that seemed much sexier than it should. “Hide the pie. Indulge yourself.”
Stacey’s heart raced at Colton’s instruction. A naughty image of how she could indulge herself with Colton raced through her mind, but she immediately slammed the door on her thoughts. After all, the last time she’d indulged herself she’d gotten pregnant.
Chapter Three
“I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Rachel said to Stacey on her cell phone. “My friend Abby called me at the last minute to babysit, and it’s her anniversary.”
“I understand. You and I can catch up later,” Stacey said, even though she dreaded attending Ella Mae Jergen’s baby shower. Ella Mae was married to a hotshot surgeon, and the couple owned houses in both Lubbock and in the next town past Horseback Hollow. Ella Mae was pregnant with her first baby. The shower was a big deal for Horseback Hollow because Ella Mae had been born and raised there and her parents still lived in town. The shower was being held in the Jergen’s mansion in the next town. Stacey couldn’t help feeling intimidated.
Ella Mae, however, had been supportive of Stacey and had attended the shower for Piper, so Stacey was determined to return the favor.
“What’s wrong?” her mother asked as Stacey put a pot of beans on for dinner while she held Piper on her hip.
“Nothing,” Stacey said.
“Doesn’t sound like nothing to me,” Jeanne said, and put a lid on the beans. “Let me hold my grandbaby.”
All Stacey had to do was lean toward her mother, and Piper extended her chubby little arms to her Gabby. Stacey checked the chicken and vegetables. “Looking good,” she murmured.
“You don’t have to cook every night,” her mother said as she clucked over Piper.
“I’m not contributing to the household with green stuff, so I want to contribute in other ways,” Stacey said.
“I don’t want you overdoing it,” her mother said.
“I’m not. I’m young and healthy,” she said.
“That sounds like something I said when I was younger,” her mother said. “You still didn’t answer my question about your conversation with Rachel.”
Stacey sighed. “Ella Mae’s baby shower is tonight.”
A brief silence followed.
“Oh,” her mother said, because she knew that the Jergens were wealthy and anything they did had to be, oh, so perfect. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Her mother’s offer was so sweet that it brought tears to her eyes. Stacey put down her spoon and went to her mother to hug her. “You’re the best mother in the world. You know that, don’t you?”
Jeanne gave Stacey a big squeeze, then pulled back with a soft chuckle. “What makes you say that?”
“Because you always do the right thing. I wonder if I can do half as many right things as you have,” Stacey said, looking into her mother’s eyes and wishing that just by looking, she could receive all of her mother’s wisdom.
Her mother slid her hand around Stacey’s shoulders and gave her another squeeze. “You’re already doing the right thing. Look at this gorgeous, healthy baby. You’re a wonderful mother.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Stacey said, feeling as if she’d just received the highest praise possible.
“You don’t have to go to Ella Mae’s baby shower. Just drop off a gift,” her mother said.
“No,” Stacey said with a firm shake of her head. “She came to my shower. I should go to hers.”
Jeanne pressed her lips together. “If you’re sure...”
“I am,” Stacey said. “And you already said you don’t mind watching Piper. Right?”
“Not at all,” her mother said. “You don’t ask me often enough. I love my little Piper girl.”
Stacey’s heart swelled with emotion. “I’m so blessed,” she said.
“Yes, you are,” her mother said. “Now go get ready for Ella Mae’s shower. You hold your head high. Don’t forget it. You’ve done the right thing, and you’re a good mother. Just make sure you’re the second one out the door.”
Stacey looked at her mother in confusion. “Second one out the door?”
“I never told you this before, but if you ever go to a party that you don’t want to attend, then you can be the second one to leave. You don’t want to be the first, but being the second is fine,” her mother said.
Another word of wisdom Stacey swore to