That wasn’t what he’d do. But I didn’t want to saddle him with my stupid busted ovaries. He was so honorable that he’d tough it out. What happened when he realized the mistake he was making?
“Hey.” Mason touched my arm.
I brushed away the tears that wouldn’t stop coming. Sadie put her head on my knee and licked my fingers.
“Jackie is going to drive me back after I drop you.”
“I can drive, Mason.”
“Just humor me, okay?”
I tipped my head back. “Fine.”
Mason took the diaper bag and the carrier. “She’s out for the count.”
“Until she gets hungry.”
“Just like her dad.”
I grabbed the chest strap carrier and followed him out, Sadie hot on my heels. I couldn’t look at the woman in the chef uniform who was willing to extend her day just to help me out.
Mason was already at the backseat on the passenger side where Sami’s carseat was.
“I can take her,” I offered.
Mason gave me a grateful smile. “Still not sure of the buckles and things.” He held his carrier and I unbuckled her to swap her into the carseat. I passed off my keys, and Mason took the crazy pink carrier with him and put it in his car. He came back and let Sadie in the backseat on the driver’s side, then started the car, warming it up for the quick ride to Jared’s. We actually weren’t far from home since Jared also lived on the lake.
I got her strapped in and kissed her cheek. She shouldn’t be sleeping this late in the day, but today was a day of weirdness.
No one’s schedule was right.
I climbed in and stared out the window as we pulled away. Once we were out of The Mason Jar’s parking lot, it was almost complete darkness. The night was overcast, so there wasn’t even a moon or starlight off the water.
Just pitch black, endless darkness.
I pressed my forehead to the cool window.
“I hope I didn’t upset you.”
I didn’t look at Mason, but I reached over and patted his arm. “It’s not y
ou.”
“My boneheaded brother?”
“Some of it. Some of it is me.” I had to own up to that part. I wasn’t making any of this any easier on us.
“You two will work it out. You never fight for long.”
I smiled faintly. “That’s true.”
Sadie pushed her way between the seats and rested her head on the console.
“I’m fine, girl.”
“Animals know,” Mason said quietly.
“I just need a little rest, and things will look better.”