Free Ladd Haven by Dianne Venetta Page A

Troy
would be front and center and probably sole occupant.
    Approaching Casey slowly, Delaney
winced at the purplish tint beneath her eyes. Her skin was so fair,
tiny blood vessels were literally visible through the translucent
flesh. It couldn’t be good for the baby. “Hey, Casey.”
    “ Hi, Miss
Delaney.”
    “ Are you meeting your mother
for dinner?”
    “ No.”
    “ I could use some company.
Are you hungry?”
    She wavered, shooting a quick eye to
locate Fran and mumbled, “I’m here to pick up some food for
home.”
    “ Mind if I wait with
you?”
    Casey shrugged. “Sure.” With a
protective hand over her stomach, she walked over to the food
counter and Fran appeared within seconds.
    Wiping her hands with a white
dishcloth, she called out brightly, “Hey, sugar!”
    “ Did my mom call you?” Casey
asked.
    Elderly brown eyes muddied in
confusion. “No, why. Something wrong?”
    “ She was going to call to
order dinner. I’m here to pick it up.”
    Fran’s expression burst with pleasure.
“I’ll get right on it! Little fried chicken and biscuits? Some
boiled peanuts for Cal?”
    “ I don’t know. You might
want to call her.”
    “ I’ll get right on
it.”
    “ Thanks.”
    “ Can I get you a coke while
you wait?”
    “ No, thanks.”
    “ Water?”
    Casey didn’t appear to want anything at
the moment, but reluctantly agreed. “Sure.” If only to end her
great aunt’s ceaseless questions, Delaney mused, watching in
amusement as Fran hurried back to the kitchen on a mission of love.
Casey lowered to a stool and Delaney mirrored her movements. “So
how’re you holding up?”
    “ You mean the
pregnancy?”
    Delaney cocked her head.
“Sure.”
    “ Fine,” she replied, a
hesitance sliding into her blue-eyed gaze. “The baby has been
moving more these days.”
    The mention pulled warm memories of
Delaney’s pregnancy with Felicity. She had enjoyed being pregnant.
It had been such an exciting time in her life—from the joy of
anticipation, the nervous excitement, the fuss from everyone to
sharing the entire experience with her mother. Susannah Ladd
Wilkins had been with her every step of the way. She had gone with
her to the doctor, helped her pick out clothes, bottles. She’d even
been in tow for the delivery. Jack couldn’t stand hospitals,
content to allow his wife to bear his child alone. Delaney’s
insides cringed. She should have known then and there what she was
in for, but he was the father of her baby, the man of her world,
and she’d been too young to pick up on the signs.
    Peering at Casey, Delaney was struck by
the faraway look in her eyes. She’d be willing to bet the girl was
thinking of Troy. He was in town and Casey was probably consumed
with him—as she should be. For better or worse, he would forever be
a part of her life, marriage or no marriage. Lying to him about the
pregnancy had been a mistake. It was only going to agitate the
situation when the truth came out. “Troy came by to see me,”
Delaney said, watching closely for Casey’s reaction.
    “ He did?”
    Struck by the naked desire staring back
at her, Delaney felt the hit. Despite her actions, Casey was
clearly interested in the boy. Delaney nodded. “He was looking for
a job.”
    “ Oh.” Crestfallen, a shade
of embarrassment colored her pale cheeks. “That’s because he quit
his last one.”
    “ So he said.” Did Casey know
why? Had Troy told Casey what he told her? “Says he’s back in town
for good.”
    “ Do you believe him?” Casey
asked.
    The sheer vulnerability in her voice
cut Delaney’s heart in two. “Not sure.” Casey glanced away. It was
clear she wanted to believe him. “Do I take it you
don’t?”
    “ Troy gets fired or quits
everything he starts,” she mumbled, drawing circles on the counter
with a finger. “I don’t see any reason to think that’s going to
change.”
    A pretty harsh condemnation coming from
the woman who loved him. Had she written him off completely?