Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
He frowned, then began to smile. “I hope so too.”
This time, I didn’t hold back as he walked away. The tears rolled down my face, and I didn’t care who saw me.
It had been an incredible day. I had lunch with my son, and he fist-bumped me. It was my first physical contact with him since he was a toddler. The sensation was overwhelming.
I pulled Cherry into my arms and held her.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“You’re welcome. And it’s just the beginning,” she whispered.
I liked those words.
Halton showed up at the garage on Monday afternoon, Fee with him. My heart sank in my chest, and I hurried over, meeting him.
“What’s wrong?”
He smiled, waving his hand. “Nothing big. We were driving back from a place I was thinking of buying and saw the sign for Littleburn, and I thought I’d drop in and see you.”
“You know, Counselor, for a lawyer, you’re a shit liar.”
He chuckled.
Cherry came over, looking concerned. “What happened?”
“Honestly, nothing big. But I did hear from the judge today.”
Cherry frowned. “Let’s talk in the office.”
We went in, and she shut the door. I grabbed her hand for support. “Tell me.”
“We were driving by,” Halton stressed. “Roxanne called the judge, furious you had Josh’s cell number and could reach him directly, therefore circumventing her.”
“He offered. I didn’t think I was breaking any rules.”
“You didn’t. The judge thought it was a positive sign that Josh was open to exploring a relationship.” Halton crossed his arms. “I guess he was a little enthusiastic about his upcoming visit to the garage, and she wasn’t happy.”
“I don’t like the fact that Josh says her new boyfriend yells at him.”
Halton’s eyebrows shot up. “Good information to know. I can use that.”
I released Cherry’s hand and gripped my hair in frustration. “I’m not trying to destroy her relationship with Josh. Or interfere in his life. I want to be a part of it. Why is that so hard for her to understand? Why can’t she give up on the grudge she has against me?”
Fee spoke up. “When I met Halton, I was getting a divorce. My husband no longer wanted me, but he didn’t want anyone else to have me either. Lots of people are like that.”
I barked out a laugh. “So, if I were single, miserable, and alone, she might be more open to me seeing Josh?”
Halton shrugged. “She strikes me as the type who wants all the attention and affection from every person in her life. She won’t like the fact that Josh liked you and Cherry.”
“Should I stay away for a while?” Cherry asked.
“No!” I said, panicked. I looked at Halton. “Right?”
“Absolutely not. But she is gonna try every trick in the book. She told the judge you were demanding the whole day from eight to well after dinner.”
“Josh asked if I could get him at eight. I said we’d ask. And I never mentioned after dinner.”
“I said as much. The judge is onto her, I think. He suggested nine to four. Then if it goes well, you get him the following weekend from nine Saturday morning to lunch on Sunday. We’ll go from there.”
“What should I do to protect Josh?”
“Exactly what you are doing. Putting him first and letting him decide. Don’t engage with Roxanne. If she comes after you, you call me.”
He stood. “Now, my car is making a funny noise. Can you squeeze me in?”
I knew he was trying to distract me. I appreciated the fact that he’d come here to see me—to tell me face-to-face that Roxanne wasn’t going to accept this quietly.
But this time, I wasn’t going away so easily.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Dom
Saturday, Roxanne was waiting outside when I pulled up to get Josh. I was excited, nervous, plus worried she would pull something to stop it. I got out of the car, approaching the front door.
“Roxanne,” I said mildly. “I’m here to get Josh.”
“You’re early.”
I glanced at my watch. “It’s three minutes to nine.”
“He isn’t ready.”
The front door opened, and Josh came out, carrying a backpack. He seemed pleased to see me. “Hey, Dom. Cherry with you?”
“She’s waiting in the car.”
“Great.” He leaned up and kissed his mom’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
She watched him go, a frown on her face. She turned to me with a glare. “Keep your girlfriend away from him. He has a mother.”
“Is that what’s bothering you so much? First off,” I said, “Cherry is my fiancée, and you have no say in her being around. Second, she isn’t trying to take your place. I’m not trying to usurp your position in his life. You’re his mother. I have always respected that. But I’m his father, and I want to know him. You’ve stolen enough years from me.”
“Maybe I’ll move again.”
I had to laugh. “Have you met my new lawyer? He’ll stop you so fast, your head will spin. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. For Josh’s sake, why don’t you try to let us get along? It’s better for him, and he is the only one I care about in this scenario. Not you. Not your relationship with him. Just him. He can have us both. Love us both.” I shook my head. “Grow up, Roxanne. You don’t have to work to be the center of his life. You already are. Let him have love from other people. No kid should be denied love.”