Page 103 of Ridin' True

“I appreciate that, mami. But I don’t think it’s me you should be apologizing to.”

“Yes. You’re right. Is he there?”

I paused, shifting my gaze toward Jed’s bedroom door. He was doing his nightly walk around the house. “Um, yeah,” I stammered. “Could you hold on a moment?”

She agreed just as Jed entered the room. I pulled the phone away from my ear and glanced down at it before holding it out for him.

“It’s—it’s my mom. Uh, she’d like to speak with you.”

Jed quirked an eyebrow at me, and I nodded. Cautiously, he crossed the room, took the phone, and brought it to his ear. “Hello?”

I watched intently as he listened to what I assumed was her apology. It felt like forever that he stood there, not saying a word.

Finally, he said, “I do,” followed shortly by, “She is.” There was another pause before he asked, “Saturday?” He looked my way then replied, “So far as I know, we’re free for dinner. I’ll let Lex confirm.” Another pause. “Alright then. Goodnight.”

He hung up before handing back the phone.

“She said she’ll call you again tomorrow.”

My eyebrows knit together, I slowly accepted the device and asked, “Did you just agree to dinner on Saturday?”

“Yup,” was his simple reply as he got into bed next to me.

“Really? You don’t mind?”

“Not goin’ anywhere, darlin’. Probably best your mama and I learn to play nice.”

I tossed aside my phone and immediately moved to straddle my man, taking his face in both of my hands as I leaned in close. “Jed Barker? Where have you been all my life?”

He chuckled, folding me in his arms. “I’m here now.”

Lining my lips up with his, I nodded and breathed, “Thank God,” before sealing my gratitude with a kiss.

Thenextmorning,ratherthan bury myself in work, I needed to go home.

My landlord was freaking out about the damages at my unit. I had renter’s insurance, so the repairs would be covered; but I needed to assess the extent of the destruction, beyond the building itself. I had furniture that was ruined, and who knew what else? I’d gotten out of there as fast as I could after the shooting. Now I needed to document a few things for the insurance company and box my living room and kitchen in order to clear the space for the contractors.

A part of me was contemplating boxing up everything. I wasn’t sure I could consider it home anymore. With my new job and higher salary, it wasn’t out of the question that I could find a new apartment. Maybe something a little bigger, with room for an office.

Since Roy and Kade were out looking for Hoffman, Jed was needed at the garage, but he arranged for Hank to be my escort for the day. Tired as I was of the whole babysitter routine, the last place I wanted to be alone was at my apartment.

Besides, Hank was pretty good company.

“You need anything, I’m keepin’ my phone close,” Jed reminded me as he held open my car door. “Got plenty of space here for whatever boxes you get packed today. And don’t be afraid to put Shep to work,” he teased, nodding to where the man stood waiting in the driveway.

“Okay,” I said with a smile.

“Plan on takin’ Lowe out for lunch, but I’ll be sure to wrap things up at the garage by five. If you’re still at your place, I’ll swing by.”

“Oh, right. Marlowe turns eleven today. Tell her I said happy birthday.”

“Will do.”

He kissed me goodbye, and I knew that was my cue to fold myself behind the wheel and get on with it, so I did. Hank and I made a pitstop at Walmart, so I could pick up some packing supplies. It was nearly eight-thirty when we parked in front of my building, and I was speechless when I got out of my car at the same time as Winnie.

“Morning,” she greeted with a warm smile and a wave.

I lifted my hand lamely as she made her way toward me. “What are you doing here?”