Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hex had been surprised when he’d gotten the call this morning that there was someone at the gate.
But he’d gone up and had been even more surprised when Sandy was the one sitting outside the gate.
But they’d told her she was welcome to visit, so he brought her back to the house, the whole time mentally scrambling for what they could tell her if Elle was still sick when they got there.
Thankfully, his worry had been for nothing. But there was no way he would be leaving Sandy alone with Elle any time soon. Not because he thought she was a danger to Elle, but because he didn’t want Elle upset and Sandy seemed to think nothing of the cutting and mean things she said to her daughter.
He would stay with them as long as Mama stayed so he could call an end to it if she went too far.
It had been all he could do to keep from grinning when Elle told her mother about her pregnancy.
Not just because of the stunned look on Sandy’s face, but because Elle had stood up for herself.
In all the years he’d known her, he couldn’t recall Elle ever standing up to her mother like that.
He knew it wasn’t easy for her, and he was proud of her for it.
When she moved back to the stove, he stayed close to her, letting her know without words that he had her back.
“That went better than I thought,” he said as he closed the door behind Sandy an hour later.
“It did. And thank you for staying so she didn’t get nasty again.” She moved in close and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Any time, sugar, any time. I didn’t know you’d decided to tell her about the baby.”
“I hadn’t until she started to get nasty, then it occurred to me it would be an easy way to make sure she behaves.” She laid her head against his chest.
Hex wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes as he took a moment to appreciate that she was here with him and this was where she wanted to be.
“Plus, all I’ll have to do for the next few months is lay my hand on my belly and she’ll behave.” Elle looked up at him, propping her chin on his chest. “But now we can tell your mom. How do you think she’ll react?”
He looked down at her face.
“I’d like to say she’ll be excited, but you know Mother. She’ll probably be as unhappy that we’re not legally married as Mama, but she’s already learned that I won’t put up with her being nasty so it should be easier, at least on that front.”
She stared up at him for a moment. He could tell by her expression she was thinking of something, but he couldn’t tell what.
“What are you thinking?”
She made a face that bared her teeth in an almost grimace. “That we should probably tell your mother, and soon, or Mama will. If you’re okay with that, then okay, but it will give her something else to be difficult about.”
Hex closed his eyes for a moment, he wanted to tell Mother, but they would have some of the same issues with her as they’d had with Mama. They weren’t married and at the moment, had no plans to get married.
Did Hex want to marry Elle? Of course. But she’s just had an issue with one wedding, he didn’t want to rush her into another. He didn’t want her to feel trapped.
“Let me call Mother and see what she’s got going on. This is something we should do in person, if possible, don’t you think?” He looked down at Elle, who still had her chin propped on his chest as she watched him.
“I do.”
Hex couldn’t help the smile hearing those words from her mouth brought to his face. He wanted to hear them again, in an entirely different context, but he could wait.
An hour later Hex pulled his pickup into the driveway at Mother’s place and parked.
“Ready?” he asked, twisting in his seat to look at Elle.
“Yep.” She reached over and covered his hand with hers. “We got this. As long as we stick together, we can do anything.”
He smiled, turned his hand over and gripped hers. “You’re right. Let’s go beard the lion in its den.” He braced himself for the ass chewing he knew was coming, and got out of the truck.
“You’re being dramatic. Your mom’s not that bad. Besides, you handled mine just fine and that’s an accomplishment,” Elle said as he helped her down from her seat and closed the truck door.
“I guess we’ve all got issues with our own parents.”
Mother wouldn’t say anything really bad in front of Elle.
She would call or corner him away from her and tell him off for getting Elle pregnant and not marrying her before word got out.
He’d always hated southern expectations, and this was just another example of that.
It wasn’t like he was abandoning Elle or their child.
Elle offered her hand and Hex took it, liking that she wanted to do this together.
Hand in hand, they headed up the steps and across the porch.
Before they reached the door or had a chance to knock, the front door opened.
Mother stood looking back and forth between them for a moment then her gaze dropped to their joined hands.
Hex watched as a series of emotions crossed Mother’s face.
It only took her a moment to school her expression and smile at them.
She went to Elle first and pulled her into a hug.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you. How are you doing? Are you okay?”
Elle released his hand in order to hug Mother back. Hex watched the two of them and knew Mother would be nicer to Elle than her mama had been, but who knew what she’d say to him. His only comfort was knowing she wouldn’t say it in front of Elle.
After a moment, Mother released Elle, who reached down and took his hand once more. He liked that she wanted him close.
“Is something wrong? You rarely stop by this early unless there’s a problem.” Mother looked at Hex. “No, wait. What has come over me? Come on in. Can I get you something to drink? Are you hungry?”
“We just ate, but I could use some coffee,” Hex said letting Elle go ahead of him into the house.
“You know where it is,” Mother said. “Get a cup for Elizabeth too.”
He looked at Elle and she shook her head. He understood why. He’d been there when the doctor recommended she limit her caffeine.
“Water?” He kept his voice soft, just for her ears.
Elle nodded. Hex released her hand and headed for the kitchen while Mother led her into the sitting room.