Page 7 of Loving You Always

“That’s a pretty man you got there.” She set the dish on the stovetop.

“Yeah, he is. He’s so excited about the baby.”

“Now you’re how far along?” Mama Jess leaned a full hip against the counter.

“I’m twenty-eight weeks,” Kerris said, rubbing her belly.

“Waddling, huh?”

“A little.”

“Using the bathroom all night.”

“Yes.”

“Ankles swelling.”

“Some.” Kerris grinned and glanced down at her semipuffy ankles. “Sounds like you know of what you speak. Did you ever have any kids?”

Mama Jess’s face clouded and her mouth turned down at both corners.

“Only fostering.” She looked at Kerris and some of the sadness passed. “Kids like you.”

Before Kerris had time to respond, Cam stepped back into the kitchen.

“I can’t wait another minute.” Cam rubbed his hands together. “Starving and ready to dig in.”

Mama Jess looked at him, and her face softened the way all girls’ did for Cam.

“Then let’s eat.”

Chapter Three

You know that Bennett boy is on TV tonight,” a customer said, leafing through a rack of sundresses Kerris had found at a Charleston yard sale.

Kerris’s hands hovered over the display of hats she was straightening. She had no idea what the customer was talking about. Kerris had heard Walsh’s name so little since the funeral, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t thought about him, because she had even when she didn’t want to.

“You want those hats from the back, too, Lil’ Bit?” Mama Jess asked from the door to the storage room, turning back at Kerris’s affirmative nod and affectionate smile.

Kerris had wasted no time persuading Meredith they needed help at Déjà Vu. Getting Mama Jess out of Walmart and away from the tyrannical Bonaparte wannabe had been easy. Mama Jess had brought new life to the shop over the last month. She’d brought new life to Kerris.

“You gonna watch?” Meredith repositioned a few scarves.

Kerris glanced up over the pile of hats with a clueless smile pasted on her mouth.

“Watch what?”

Meredith shot Kerris a knowing glance. “ThePinnacleinterview.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know.Pinnacle, the TV magazine that has the ‘30 Under 30 List’ each year. Walsh made the list, and they’re airing his interview tonight.”

Mama Jess walked up to them with a small mountain of hats.

“Who’s Walsh?”

The back of Kerris’s neck tingled and sweat broke out on her palms. Mama Jess was as sharp-eyed as they came. Kerris had noticed the considering look on Mama Jess’s face every time she saw Kerris and Cam together. Mama Jess knew something was amiss in their marriage, but hadn’t asked about it…yet. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t.