The Best Man's Baby(55)

“My, that was wonderful, I couldn’t eat another bite.” She glanced back down at the cake and pushed the plate away. Her father grabbed the plate. Her mother quickly snatched it back and the three of them actually managed to share a laugh.

“I wasn’t happy about the way we ended things the other day,” her mother said, looking down into her lap.

The image of bread buns bursting out of her purse immediately entered Claire’s mind. She looked at her father from the corner of her eye. He must seriously be thinking all hell broke loose while he was gone.

Claire cleared her throat. “Neither did I, but I don’t take back anything I said, Mom. As much as it hurt me to say it, and as much as it hurt you to hear it, I needed to get it out.”

“I have to say, I had no idea you hated me so much,” her mother said, looking away forlornly, and then looking down at the cake.

Claire felt a pang of guilt. “I don’t hate you. I can be mad at you and I can blame you for a lot of things that have happened, but I don’t hate you,” she said softly. She almost reached out to touch her mother’s hand when she saw tears suddenly appear in her mother’s eyes.

“I’d like to try to explain a little of where I was coming from. After our lunch the other day I did a lot of reflecting about my life, my life with your father, with you. I was raised by a woman who was strict, disciplined, and forceful in her opinions. I know Grandma died before you could really get to know her, but when I was growing up, my only option was to get married. And my mother drilled into me how important a lady’s appearance was. I had convinced myself she was right, because your father had noticed me.”

“We had a one-night stand,” her father blurted out casually. And then had a bite of her mother’s cake.

Claire inhaled sharply, looking back and forth between the two of them. Her mother looked mortified. Green and red and livid. Her father looked quite pleased with himself.

“You are kidding me,” she sputtered. She picked up the fork and sliced into the piece of cake that was shrinking by the second.

“Your father was very charming,” her mother said in a strangled voice. Then she grabbed the plate and took a giant forkful of dessert.

“It’s true, I was.”

She frowned at the two of them. She had never seen her parents banter. And flirt. Her mother was blushing.

“Afterward we got married and then he decided to become a minister. It was his calling and I stood by him. But when he got his own congregation I slowly began to lose him bit by bit to his church. All I could hold on to was my looks. I thought somehow that would keep him interested in me. And then we had you. And we both adored you. But again, I lost a little bit of him to you. I wanted the best for you. I started out with the best of intentions, and then things started slipping. I had no idea how much damage I was doing. I am proud of the woman you’ve become. As different as you are from me, I am proud, and I am sorry,” her mother said, looking up at her with tears in her eyes.

Claire felt the prickle of tears at the back of her eyes as she stared at her mother. She couldn’t erase the past, but this was a start. And she could forgive.

“Thank you,” Claire said trying to smile.

“And if you have a daughter…,” her mother said, dabbing the corner of her eyes with a napkin.

“If I have a daughter, I never want to hear the word ‘fat’ enter my house.”

“Claire—”

“My daughter. My life. My rules.”

Her mother snapped her mouth closed and Claire had no idea what was going through her mind as she wordlessly stared at her. “I think that’s perfect,” she said finally.

“But first, you and Jake are getting married,” her father said. “Then I’m going back to Africa, and your mother is coming with me.”

Claire’s mouth dropped open. “You’re going to Africa?”

Her mother nodded, fidgeting with her fork. “It will be nice for your father and me to do something meaningful together.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” her father said. “But of course, we’ll be back long before that grandbaby is due.”

Claire smiled at both of them.





Chapter Twelve

Jake ignored the giant knot in his stomach and knocked on the door. He stared at the wreath, feeling like it was just yesterday he stood here waiting to ask them for advice about Claire. How much had changed in just a few weeks. He was standing here, prepared to blast away the last of his demons. He was here, not hiding anymore.

He wasn’t surprised to see Evan’s BMW in the driveway.

The door opened and Jake held his breath. He let out a little sigh of relief when Holly appeared, smiling gently at him. “Hi, Jake,” she whispered, ushering him in with a wave of her hand. “I was hoping you’d come over,” she said and gave him a hug. Jake hugged her back, saying a silent prayer of thanks for bringing her into Quinn’s life. He knew neither brother would be welcoming him with a hug right now.