A Different Blue(94)

“Would you want to keep your baby then?”

“And we could be a happy little family?” I squeaked, incredulous. “It's bad enough that this

baby has our combined DNA. It doesn't deserve to be raised by us, too.

“Ahh, Blue. You wouldn't be a bad mother.”

“I wonder if that's what someone told my mother when she found out she was pregnant with me.”

Wilson swung his head around, surprise evident on his handsome face. I shrugged, pretending

nonchalance. I didn't know if I would be a bad mother. I didn't know if I would be a good

mother. But I knew I wouldn't be as good a mother as Tiffa Snook, not yet anyway. And that was

the bottom line.





Thursday came. I had slept poorly all week, worried that Mason would show up with his parents in

tow and that they would sue for custody of my unborn child. If that happened, I would be keeping

my baby. Giving her up to Tiffa and Jack was one thing. Giving her to Mason and his parents was

another. But Mason was unaccompanied in the courtroom when I arrived Thursday morning. He was an

adult and didn't need permission for what he was about to do. I wondered if he had even told his

parents. He wore a tie and a shell-shocked expression, and I felt bad all over again.

When the judge questioned him, making sure he understood his rights as well as the rights he was

terminating, he nodded and then looked at me. I didn't sense anger anymore. He just seemed

stunned. With a notary looking on, he signed the documents, and Tiffa and Jack hugged each other

tightly as if they too had been terrified of a derailment. I felt faint with relief and

struggled to hold back a sudden flood of emotion. As soon as the proceedings were over, I found

Mason. I owed him that much.

“Thank you, Mason,” I said quietly, extending my hand.

Mason slowly took my outstretched hand in his. “Why didn't you tell me sooner, Blue? I know we

were never serious, but I . . . I wanted to be.”

It was my turn for shock. “You did?” I never thought Mason liked anything about me but the

sex. It occurred to me then that my low opinion of myself may have blinded me to his true

feelings.

“I know I can be an *. I drink too much, I say things I shouldn't, and I get mad too

easy. But you could have told me.”

“I should have,” I acquiesced. We stood awkwardly, looking everywhere but at each other.

“It's better this way, Mason,” I suggested softly. He looked at me then and nodded.

“Yeah. I know. But maybe someday you'll give me another chance.”

No. I wouldn't. Mason was part of a past I didn't want to repeat. But I nodded noncommitally,

grateful that there was peace between us.

“Take care of yourself, Blue.”

“You too, Mason.” I turned and made my way to the door. Mason called out behind me, and his

voice seemed awfully loud in the almost empty courtroom.

“I never pictured you with a guy like Adam.”

I turned and shrugged. “Neither did I, Mason. Maybe that's part of my problem.”





Chapter Eighteen





“Why is your recliner in the middle of the floor?”

“I like to sit under the vent.”

“Are you cold? Don't be shy about turning up the thermostat. This little space isn't exactly