Angela turns, placing her body between them. “If this is how this visit is going to go, I’ll take him home this minute.”
“No. I…will it be all right if my dad supervises? Or maybe Jo, since you’ve met her now? Please. I really—I need to spend some time with my son.”
Mrs. Masters stamps her foot. “Tyson, don’t be ridiculous. I am perfectly capable of supervising your visit.”
Ty tosses her a glance and turns to Angela. “Please.”
Angela hands the baby to Tyson. “I’ll allow Ms. Jordan to supervise. And, if your mother leaves, you may keep Caden for three hours. I’ll meet you here at five.”
Tyson nods. “Done.”
Mrs. Masters crosses her arms and glares at Angela. “You’re going to let the help supervise? Are you stupid, woman?”
I pull back. “The help?”
“You’re my son’s maid, aren’t you? Or are you his whore?”
It takes a moment for me to respond. “Whore?”
“Mother!” Tyson moves between his mom and me. “Jo’s my fiancée. I’ll thank you to watch your tongue.”
“You’re marrying this—this dirty wetback?”
My jaw drops. I haven’t been called that since I was a child.
“Dad, she’s got to go. Now.”
She slaps at his hands when Mr. Masters tries to hustle her away. “Don’t you touch me. I’m not leaving and letting this girl get her hooks into our son.”
Nausea rolls through me, and I don’t even know what to say.
Angela removes Caden from Tyson’s arms again. “We’ll be going now.”
She walks away. Tyson hurries to follow, pleading with her.
Mrs. Masters leans in and points in my face. “You will not marry my son. He’s too good for the likes of you.”
I step backward, wide-eyed. “I was born right here in the U.S. Not that my country of origin should even matter.”
“Reba, let’s go. Leave this poor girl alone.” Mr. Masters tries to take his wife’s arm as he looks at me, his apology clear in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. Sometimes, she’s a little too blunt.”
She smacks the hand tugging on her elbow. “Stop apologizing for me like I’m some recalcitrant child.”
I head to my car.
My hands shake as I attempt to insert the key into the door lock.
Damn it.
I try again, but before I can make contact, Ty steps between me and the car door. “I am so sorry, Jo. Ignore her. She’s a bigoted idiot.”
I cover my mouth with trembling fingertips.
Though my ribs are a tightening trap around my lungs, I manage to push out some words. “Tyson, move out of my way, please. I need to go.”
ELEVEN
“Mother strikes again.”
“Son, your mom…she doesn’t mean to—”
I grip the phone. “Dad, stop. Please. Don’t make excuses for her. She’s a one-woman wrecking ball.”
“She didn’t mean any harm. She has a hard time filtering her thoughts.”
“Not only did she rob me of a visit with my son, but she insulted the girl I plan to marry. Not just insulted, maligned.”
Evil. The woman is plain evil.
Why she’s even still in my life, I don’t know.
“Look, Dad. I just called to tell you that I’m marrying that beautiful girl who was with me today. Should you like to come, I’ll have Terri contact you with the information. But do not—I repeat, do not—bring Mother. If you can’t get away without her, stay home.”
“But son—”
I hit the brakes, pull into the garage, and jam the shifter into park. “I mean it, Dad. Don’t test me on this. I love you. I do. And I know you love her. God only knows why or how, but you do. I’m sorry if this hurts you, but I’m done. I have to be done.”
Before he can protest again, I end the call.
I go through the garage, quietly opening the door to the house. There’s no telling how Jo’s dealing with my mother’s comments, and I don’t want to spook her. What I want is to make it all better and put it behind us.
If that’s possible. If Mother hasn’t ruined this for me too.
I check the entire house, but Jo’s not here. My stomach churns as I go through her bathroom, this time to check her closet.
I push the door open.
God damn it!
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
The better part of her clothes is gone. Some still lay strewn across the floor, though it looks like she left most of her shoes. The hangers are mostly empty, and what’s left looks like a tornado tore through it.
I yank my phone from my pocket.
It goes straight to voice mail.
I end the call only to try again immediately.