Though the tension was thick between the ladies, Ruston decided the men would clean the table, and the women should go watch the children play, maybe break the ice surrounding them.
Trying not to listen for the women in the other room, Ruston asked, “It seems to be going well between you two.”
“It is, so far.” Thomas’s eyes darted to the living room. He, too, was worried about them being alone.
“How is the kid thing going?” Ruston asked. It was a big issue for his friend. Now it seemed that his decades-long hang-up wasn’t as much of a deal for the right woman.
“Okay. They’re good kids. It seems the second husband isn’t too into being a dad. And since the first one is dead, it’s all on Kit. But she can handle it.” Thomas put plates in the dishwasher.
“Are you planning on helping her out?” Ruston grinned at his friend’s word choice.
“If she will let me,” Thomas admitted.
“Are you going to ask if she will let you?”
“Not there yet.”
“I think you are, Thomas. I really think you are.” He clasped him on the back and hugged his friend, so happy he had finally found the one.
Walking out into the living room, they found Kit holding her youngest in her arms as she made her excuses and started packing up. Ruston had no idea what had happened, and Hazel looked just as confused as everyone else.
The group headed out, and Thomas helped Kit with getting her boys in the car. After a few minutes, Thomas stomped back into the house, not as happy as he had been before he left the house. In fact, he was pissed.
“Did you get to say goodbye to your girlfriend?” Ruston teased him.
“Shut up, Ruston,” Thomas said.
“Come on, Thomas, can’t you take a joke?” Ruston tried to lighten the mood.
“A joke, Rusty? She ended it, okay? She said she can no longer see me.” He grabbed his jacket he hadn’t time to put on after Kit had left, and he had followed.
“Wait, Thomas.” Ruston followed him out the door.
“No, I just want to get out of here.” He was still putting his coat on as he walked into the chilly night.
“What did she say? Can you fix it?” Ruston couldn’t believe she would just end it, not the woman who had come here for supper, all smiles for Thomas.
“Kit didn’t really think so. She said she can’t be friends with your wife,” he hissed at Ruston, surprising him with the answer. What had happened between the women?
“Why?” Hazel asked from the doorway, echoing what he was about to ask.
“Because of the accident, I assume. It wasn’t just you who was affected by it, Hazel. I wish you would stop acting like it was all about you,” Thomas stated.
“I know that. I swear I didn’t say anything.” She took a step back as if she needed space between her and his words.
“Thomas, leave her alone.” Ruston got between his wife and his friend, knowing which side he was on.
“Don’t worry, I will.” Thomas slammed out of the house, scaring John Henry and making him cry.
Gathering the boy in his arms, he glanced at his wife, whose face had lost all its color. He watched her turn and leave the room without a word. Having no idea what was going through her mind, he had to get the boy settled and then worry about her.
It took longer than he had expected to get the boy sleeping after a night with a new friend. He talked about nothing but Josiah and James. It seemed the women’s kids had no problems getting close.
Sliding into bed with his already sleeping wife, he wondered if she was really sleeping. It didn’t seem like it. Tonight, for the first time since the wedding night, she wore a nightgown as a barrier between them. It might as well have been a brick wall.
CHAPTER29
Hazel had swornto herself that if Kit was in church, she would talk to her. And there she was, beside her mom and Tess. It would be natural to walk up and talk to them. Hazel knew Tess and Dolly Nordskov well, but she was chickening out. Because she was tired of being the reminder of that day.