Fewer hours would mean less pay, which would take money out of Meredith’s pocket. So much for appealing to her mother’s altruistic side.
“I don’t plan to cut any hours at the hospital,” she explained, not sure how she could work sixty-five hours a week once the shelter opened for operation, but that was months away, or more likely a year or more. “We’re barely in the planning stages, but I’m excited about our prospects.”
“You’re being needlessly mysterious. Spit it out already.”
Keeping her eyes on her plate, Haleigh said, “We’re working to open a women’s shelter.”
As Haleigh shoved her green beans around her plate, her dinner partner held silent. Chancing a quick glance, she saw her mother staring while chewing intently, both her food and her daughter’s announcement.
“Do you mean a place for homeless women?”
“Our purpose is to provide a safe place for women in harmful or dangerous situations.”
“You mean women with abusive husbands?”
Haleigh nodded. “Exactly.”
Her mother’s next response served up the shock of the century. “This area could use a facility like that.” As if she couldn’t bear the taste of positivity on her tongue, she added, “So long as it doesn’t steal focus from your career.”
Feeling as if she’d received a blessing from the pope, Haleigh said, “Yes, ma’am,” and proceeded to stuff three green beans in her mouth. If finally winning her mother’s approval required giving up sleep, she considered it a small price to pay.
“You look happier than I expected,” Cooper said after Haleigh offered a rather friendly greeting at the door. “Did the dinner with your mom go better than usual?”
“Way better,” she said before waving a pair of socks in front of his nose. “Now why do I need these?”
“All will be revealed in due time,” he replied, braving a look toward the living room. “Is Abby here?”
“She’s working a twelve-hour shift until six in the morning. I’d have met you at the car otherwise.”
He shook his head. “We aren’t going to sneak around to appease my sister.”
“No,” Haleigh agreed, “but there’s no need to stir the pot, either.” Stepping back to the entrance to the living room, she said, “Jessi, we’re heading out. Do you need anything?”
“I’m good,” the teen said, never taking her eyes off the television as she kept Emma’s bouncy chair moving with her foot. “See ya, Cooper.”
“Bye, Jessi,” he replied. On their way to the car, he said, “She seems content for a teenager spending a Friday night alone.”
“Ah, but she won’t be alone.”
“I know she has Emma, but she isn’t much of a talker.”
Haleigh flashed a knowing smile. “I mean she’ll have Ian. He should be here any minute, but I think he wanted to avoid running into you.”
“Ian is coming here?” Cooper wasn’t sure how he felt about this. “Does Abby know she’s having a guy over?”
“No idea.” Haleigh climbed into the passenger seat and reached over to lock her buckle.
Cooper considered the situation as he crossed to his side. The intention had been to let Jessi recover, and then send her back where she’d come from or on to her father. Another week had passed with no developments on the J.T. hunt. They were going to have to make a decision about what to do next, as Jessi couldn’t live with Abby forever.
Whatever was decided, a budding relationship with Ian added one more layer to an already complicated problem.
“I’m not sure I like this,” he said as his buckle clicked into place.
“Like what?”
“That,” he said, nodding toward the house. “Jessi and Ian becoming an item.”
“You sound like an overprotective father,” she said with a husky laugh. “They aren’t children. I think it’s cute that she’s found someone.”
“Hal, we’re going to have to tell her that this J.T. person doesn’t exist. At that point, the girl needs to find an alternative to living with Abby, and Ian can’t be that alternative.”
“Why not?” she asked. “He’s twenty-one. He has a good job and comes from a good family. Jessi is a good mom and determined to do her part to support herself and her little girl. I think they could have a shot.”
She made it sound so simple. “They barely know each other. Ian can hardly take care of himself let alone a girl and her baby.”
“You’re selling your cousin short,” she said. “He’s here all the time and does great with Emma. Just because you’re afraid of commitment doesn’t mean everyone else is.”