Jason looked from his mother to Faith, a furrow between his brows, a somber look on his handsome face. Although up to now, she’d learned to read him fairly well, she had no idea what was going on behind the masked expression he wore. But if she had to guess, something about having his mother and Faith together, getting to know one another, was throwing him for a loop.

He wouldn’t want Faith to get attached. To feel like she belonged with them. And she wouldn’t, she promised herself. She’d do her best to put an emotional wall up against the motherly gestures and the sweetness that came from Savannah and not misconstrue Jason’s protectiveness for anything more. At the end of the road, she had herself. And no one else.

* * *

Later that evening, Jason escaped to the bedroom, leaving his mother and Faith alone in the kitchen, discussing candy making and other things. He needed a break from the emotional drama that was his mother and father, and he needed to step back from his intense feelings for Faith. He hadn’t forgotten the night they’d just spent together or the way he feared she was cracking his heart open, exposing him to potential pain. The pain that always came from loving someone and the possibility of loss that came with it.

Sitting down on the bed, he picked up his cell and called his brother, who answered on the first ring.

“Jason,” Alex said. “Good to hear from you.”

“Hey, man. How are you, Madison, and the kidlet?”

“All great. What’s up?”

Jason blew out a long breath. No point beating around the bush. “I’ve got company. Mom’s here.”

“What?” Alex asked, startled. “She didn’t tell me she was leaving town,” he said, confusion in his voice.

“Well, apparently it wasn’t a planned trip. She was running away.” Jason drummed his fingers on the nightstand.

“From Dad.”

“You got it,” he muttered. “He returned from wherever he was and decided he wants her back. She, on the other hand, has come to terms with the man he is and is ready to move on. But she didn’t want to deal with him yet, so she’s here.”

“Damn. I’m sorry it landed on your lap.”

Jason shrugged. “It’s fine. It’s Mom. She’s always welcome. I just figured you didn’t know yet and wanted to give you a heads-up in case Dad comes sniffing around your place looking for her.”

Alex let out a low growl. “I’ll deal with him. What about Sienna?”

“Mom called her earlier today. She’s going to see her in the morning. Mom stopped by a baby store and loaded up on things for Lizzy. I have a feeling Sienna will beg her to stay there and help out, but she’s welcome here for as long as she needs.”

Jason didn’t mention Faith to his brother. He didn’t feel like getting into the situation he’d found himself in. In fact, he thought, he was actually ready to crash. He needed a good night’s sleep.