Page 4 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

L iz pulled into the driveway at home and patted the dashboard.

She hadn’t owned a vehicle the entire time she’d globetrotted with the military, and the forty-five minute commute to and from work gave her a chance to decompress.

She loved this car. It hadn’t needed any retrofitting to accommodate her injury because the right foot did what the right foot had always done.

Gas and brake. Her prosthetic left foot enjoyed the ride and tapped in time to the playlist on her iPhone.

It was normal. She held a deep appreciation for normal these days.

She tiptoed into the kitchen and allowed the door to snick shut behind her.

Ella wasn’t crying, and the house smelled of meatloaf.

Good meatloaf—her mother’s meatloaf. Meatloaf with ketchup on top and onions in the middle.

The kind of meatloaf that was so savory, she already planned on making a sandwich for lunch tomorrow.

Her mom stood by the stove humming to the music playing softly on the Bose speakers. She kissed her mom’s cheek in greeting .

“I can’t believe Ella’s asleep. It feels like a miracle.” Liz loaded a plate with mashed potatoes, broccoli, meatloaf and salad. “How’d it go today?” she whispered.

Arlene Nelson smiled. “Much better than the past few days. I figured out that Ella’s cutting teeth.

I’d forgotten that you cut your first teeth when you were her age.

I paged through your Little Milestones baby book and remembered how fussy you were.

Anyway, we took a field trip to the pharmacy, and I bought baby Tylenol and a cool teething ring.

It’s a good thing they worked. I was getting ready to rub some crème de menthe on her gums if it didn’t,” she chuckled.

“And baby girl loves classical music. She’s rocking in the swing in the dining room.

I’m glad, for her sake, that she likes the softer music because I was ready to turn on some AC/DC and dance for her.

” Arlene winked at Liz. “The past couple hours have been peaceful, so I made dinner instead of calling for carry-out. I’d say that’s progress, honey. ”

Hot tears pricked Liz’s eyes as she reveled in her mother’s words and the first bite of meatloaf.

She owed her mother big-time. Arlene had dropped her own life and flown to the military hospital in Germany the day she found out Liz had been injured.

She’d stayed for weeks, and when Liz had told her about the baby, Arlene flew home, had a new walk-in tub/shower combo installed in the main bath for her use, and started planning the baby’s nursery.

Her mother wasn’t just her mom; she was her BFF.

Arlene pinned her daughter’s hazel eyes with a look. “Nick stopped by today. He was on the porch when I got home from the pharmacy. I drove around the block a few times until he left. I wish you’d tell him about Ella, honey. He’s going to find out sooner or later.”

Liz’s fork froze mid-air. She fought the panic rising in her throat. “I’m sorry. This situation puts you in an awful position. But how can I tell him? ‘ By the way, Nick, I know you don’t want kids, but I have one, and it’s not yours because you got that damn vasectomy?’”

Arlene took a deep breath. “Something like that, honey. It’s not going to get easier with time. He’s been home for three months.” She slid the leftovers into the fridge.

Liz swallowed hard. “I know you’re right. But I’m a decorated veteran who isn’t brave enough to tell the man I love that I chose the baby over him. I’m afraid the look in his eyes will rip me apart inside.” Or he’ll leave forever because I betrayed his trust and didn’t tell him.

“He loves you, Liz. You can’t be sure of his reaction until you tell him. Maybe he’s had a change of heart.”

Right. Liz knew Nick better than anyone.

He’d freak. “Let’s talk about something else.

You’re off-duty now, Mom. I’ll do the dishes.

You’ve got twelve hours to yourself. Doing anything special?

” Liz reached for the breast pump at the end of the kitchen table and unbuttoned her blouse.

With Ella asleep, she just had to pump. Her boobs felt like torpedoes ready to explode.

Arlene handed Liz a soft towel and slid the container of sterilized bottles in her direction. “I was thinking of walking down the alley to Louise’s to play cards, but I can stay here if you need help. I know you were up most of last night, honey.”

“Absolutely not, Mom. Go play cards with Louise and enjoy yourself. Stay out late and do something wicked like watch a movie and drink margaritas after cards. Tonight will be better with Ella. I’m looking forward to snuggling with my daughter.

” She turned on the breast pump and sighed with relief.

“And you need a break. I promise to start interviewing daycares in the next week or two.” She smiled reassuringly at her mom.

Arlene put her elbows on the counter and leaned forward. “Don’t rush it, Liz. I love my time with Ella. She brings back the sweetest memories of when you were little and your dad was still with us. I find it healing to remember those good times.”

The back door flew open, and their wild-haired, nosy neighbor Vera whisked inside with a plate of cookies. “Yoo-hoo, I baked all afternoon and thought I’d share.” She set the plate on the counter and whispered, “Is Ella awake? I’d love to hold her.”

Liz covered her bare chest with the towel, cleared her throat, and raised an eyebrow at Arlene.

How many times had she reminded her mother to lock the back door?

This neighbor viewed an unlatched door as an open invitation to walk right in.

“Hi, Vera. Thank you for the cookies, but Ella’s asleep right now. ”

Vera’s smile flattened into a grim line. “Darn, I was hoping to hold her, get my baby fix. Well, enjoy the cookies. Harold’s waiting for me to watch a movie with him.” She blew a kiss and disappeared as quickly as she’d arrived.

Arlene spoke the second Vera was out of hearing range. “Sorry, honey. I keep forgetting to lock that door, and Vera’s more forgetful than ever. I’ve told her a dozen times to knock before she barges in.”

Liz shook her head and offered a rueful smile. “This isn’t Mayberry, Mom. I get concerned for you and Ella alone here during the day.”

Arlene rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse. “I’ll lock the door on my way out. I’ve got my keys and phone if you need anything.” She kissed Liz’s head. “Love you, sweetie. ”

“Love you too. Thanks for cooking.” It didn’t take her long to clean up the kitchen and check on Ella, whose little bow lips had an adorable spot of drool on the right side.

Liz knew she was pushing it timewise, but she stepped into the walk-in tub and started a bath.

The baby monitor on the sink counter was so loud she could hear Ella’s breathing.

She relaxed into the rising bubbles and sighed.

If the baby stirred, it would take her five minutes to drain the tub, dry off, dress, attach the prosthetic to her stump, and pick Ella up.

Arlene was right. This was progress.