Page 60 of Rumor Has It

“Me too.” She plops down, grabbing the blanket from behind her. “What’s next?”

“Well, I thought we’d watch that movie about loving boys, and I’ll polish your toes while we do.”

She nods with wide eyes. “Can I have blue?”

“I’ll think about it.” I reach in my pocket, pulling her favorite turquoise out.

Rumor bounces over to me, wrapping herself around me. “I love you, Momma.”

“I love you, Rumor.” I kiss the top of her head before pulling her face to mine. “I need you to know, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. I didn’t realize how much hurt they would cause the people I love, especially you. But I promise you, no matter what happens, from this point on, I’ll never make another decision without talking to you first.”

“Does that mean I get to help you decide on what we’re going to do?” She searches my eyes, waiting.

I take a deep breath. “It means we’ll talk about it, and I’ll take your thoughts and feelings into consideration before I choose what we’re doing, because it’s you and me, against the world.”

“I got your back.” She kisses me, waiting on my reply.

“And I got yours.”

I polish her toes while we watch our movie on Netflix, waiting for our food. Once it arrives, we have a picnic in the floor with ice cream boats for dessert. She falls asleep, and carrying her to bed isn’t anything like it used to be; she’ll be taller than me before long.

I straighten the living room up and pour a glass of wine, finally snuggling in with a good book. The rain app on my cell helps with a cozy evening on my couch. I need the down time after today.

My peace is quickly broken when my phone begins to buzz. It’s Maisyn. “Hey, beautiful.”

“How are you?” She sighs heavily.

I snicker sarcastically. “So, you’ve heard.”

“Blow by ugly blow,” she grumbles, just as my migraine kicks up a notch.

I run my hand around the back of my neck, blowing out a long breath. “He’s hurt, Maisyn. I couldn’t believe it was even Boone. He’s angry.”

“And you think he has every right to be,” she murmurs.

“Doesn’t he? I mean, I didn’t give him any choices. There’s nothing to say whether he’s her dad or not.” The pain in my head intensifies with every beat of my pulse.

“How’s our girl?”

I shake my head. “Confused and hurt for me, but she isn’t sure why.”

“She’s so smart, I knew it wouldn’t escape her.” She’s right, Rumor took it all in, and she must have questions.

“I didn’t ask her,” I say warily. “Boone showing up has blown my mind.”

“Sorry!” She sucks air in. “I guess I assumed you would’ve heard by now. His dad had a heart attack, that’s why he’s home.”

“What?” I sit up straight. “No, I had no clue Anderson was even sick. That explains why Boone brought his dad’s car in for service.”

“So, that’s why he came to the shop!” Maisyn puts it all together now.

“I thought he had heard we were home. No wonder he was shell shocked.” The lingering pain that’s ate at me for so long now aches for Boone.

“He’ll come around, Mackenzie,” she says softly. “Or you could go to him.”

My stomach pitches. “I’m not so sure that’s the best idea. I’ve never seen him so…”

“Angry?” she suggests.

I clasp my chest. “Lost.”