Chapter 190

Janelle sulked in her room and wanted no distractions the rest of the day. She didn't go down for dinner or help with the baby's bath like every other night. Tomorrow was Sunday and dinner with Carter's mother. She'd told him she'd go, and she wasn't backing out now. She merely had to get through tonight.

The following morning, Janelle awoke early but unrested after a night of tossing, turning, and dreaming. She felt like baking, always a refuge, but no sharing anything. She dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and headed to the kitchen. On the way down the stairs, she smelled fresh coffee. Somebody was up earlier than her.

Chase was dressed in a plaid flannel cowboy shirt with a white T-shirt peeking out at the neck. The snaps across his chest looked ready to pop at any minute. He sat tall, at the breakfast table, his thighs spread wide, sipping from his coffee mug.

"Morning, Chase. You're up earlier than usual. Everything okay?"

Chase eyed her for a moment and then said, "I've got