Page 20 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“I’d love to.”

Sam dropped to the floor, and Jonathon sat on the couch, patting the cushion next to him. Emily settled next to him while Matti, excluded from the fun, stayed back and observed her parents.

They’d always been cordial to each other when they found themselves in the same room, but they actually looked chummy as they chatted with each other and Sam. As the youngest of their children, Matti had taken their divorce hard. For one thing, she’d felt betrayed. Her mother had dropped her off at college, then had gone home, packed her things, and moved out, leaving her husband. It had been a shock to all of them, especially her father.

For a long time, Matti felt like she was the reason her mother had stayed in the marriage, the proof being that as soon as her youngest child was out of the house, Emily had moved out, too. If Matti had stayed home, forgotten about college, and gotten a job locally, her parents would still be together.

The doorbell sounded again. “What is this, Grand Central Station?” she muttered as she went to the door. Okay, this visitor was welcomed, she thought at seeing Ryan smiling at her. “Come in. My parents are here.”

“I don’t want to intrude. I can come back later.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him in. “Please intrude. Sam’s showing off his fire truck.” Maybe with Ryan here, her parents would leave so she could take Sam on a much-needed shopping trip. She daren’t tell her mom they were going shopping, else Emily would invite herself along. Although Matti enjoyed mall trips with her mom, for this time, she wanted it to just be her and Ryan taking Sam.

The second Emily saw Matti walk in with Ryan, her gaze went to their linked hands, and her eyes widened as she smiled. She stood. “And who is this?”

What had she been thinking, keeping her hold on Ryan? Her mother wanted grandkids and was forever trying to fix her children up with dates, especially her two daughters. Kelly didn’t like that any more than Matti did. Seeing Matti holding hands with a man probably had her mother mentally picking out a mother-of-the-bride dress.

Matti eased her hand out of Ryan’s. “Mom, this is Dr. Ryan Palmer. Ryan, my mother, Emily Colton.”

“And a friend of mine,” Jonathon said, rising to stand beside his ex-wife.

“Hmm, a doctor,” Emily murmured, her eyes going to Matti.

Matti knew that look. She’d grown up with a mostly absentee father because of the hours his job required. How many times had her mother told both her and Kelly to never marry a doctor because their families always came in second? Many, many times. Matti had seen the proof of that growing up with a father who missed birthdays, school events, and many holidays because a patient needed him more than his family did.

Since she had no intention of marrying Ryan, there was nothing for her mother to worry about. Honestly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get married at all. She’d yet to meet a man she wanted to give up her freedom for. But she could enjoy his company, maybe even have some fun times with him if he was interested. Was he?

Chapter 10

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Colton,” Ryan said. Jonathon had always spoken of his ex-wife with respect and fondness. He didn’t sense any tension or animosity between them.

“Oh, please. Emily will do just fine.”

“Emily, then.”

“Have you known Matilda long?” she asked.

“No third degree, Mom,” Matti said. “Ryan’s just a friend, and he’s here to see Sam.”

That was true, so why did he not like being just a friend? And yes, he was here to see Sam, but he’d looked forward to seeing Matti, too.

“I need to take off, Matilda,” Jon said. “Can I walk you out, Emily?”

“Oh, I thought I’d stay for a while, get to know this precious boy.”

Jonathon gave Emily a look, and although they were divorced, apparently they could still pass silent messages, because Emily picked up her purse from the couch. “Yes, that would be lovely.” As she passed him, she touched his arm. “It was nice to meet you, Ryan. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Maybe,” he said noncommittally since he wasn’t sure of the dynamics between Matti and her mother.

Jonathon and Emily both kissed Matti on the cheek before leaving.

“Sorry about that,” Matti said as she went to the window and peered out.

“No need to be sorry. Jon’s a friend, and it was nice to meet your mother.”

“There’s something weird going on with those two,” she said.

“Like what?” He joined her at the window. The estranged couple were talking, and again, he didn’t sense there was tension between them. Jon kissed Emily’s cheek, then got in his car. Emily watched him drive away before getting in her own car, and as she did, she touched her cheek where he’d kissed her.