“I’m going to petition to become his guardian. And if things work out, I’m going to adopt him. That’s my plan.”His eyes flashed with determination.
She reached out to grab the back of the chair to steady herself from the force of his words and his gaze.“You’re going toadopthim?”
“If I can work it out legally, yes. He’ll be my son. Or maybe I won’t have to adopt him. I don’t know how that works since heismy son.”
And what wasn’t said still rang out loud and clear. Blake would be Jesse’s son, not hers.
“So, I’d appreciate it if you don’t interfere. If you don’t make any decisions regarding Blake. He wants to see you—and Ihatethat—but I won’t stop it.But…I mean it, Heather, stay out of everything to do with his life. You had your chance, and you threw it away.”He stalked past her and whisked through the door, slamming it behind him.
She sank onto the chair, her hand at her throat. That was one angry man. And a man determined to limit her influence in Blake’s life. Panic surged through her. She’d just found Blake. Would Jesse make it impossible for her to have any kind of relationship with him? He said he wouldn’t stop Blake from seeing her. But that kind of put Blake smack in the middle of Jesse’s war with her.
She pulled out her cell phone and scrolled through her photos until she came to the one she’d taken of Jesse at Magic Cafe. That wonderful night before all this mess had happened. He looked relaxed with a lopsided grin on his lips, and his eyes twinkled. How she missed the warmth in those eyes instead of the fire and ice that flashed anytime he saw her now.
Disappointment laced with fear threaded through her. Would Jesse turn Blake against her? She had such a fragile relationship with Blake so far. Jesse said he wouldn’t stop Blake from seeing her…but would he keep his word?
She’d never seen Jesse so angry in all the years she’d known him. And the thing was…she didn’t blame him.
She clicked off her phone and rose from the chair. She sucked in a deep breath and pushed away her fear and self-pity. She resolved right then and there not to let the problems between her and Jesse stop her from getting to know her son. Nothing was going to stop that.
Not her past mistakes.
Not Jesse’s anger.
Nothing.
Chapter 25
Donna looked up and smiled when she saw Barry coming through the screen door to the pool cage. He held a bottle of wine in one hand and a wrapped box in the other. He quickly crossed over and kissed her on the cheek before dropping into the chair beside her.
“I’ve missed you,”he said as he set down the box and the wine bottle.
“You just saw me at Parker’s this afternoon when you came in for ice cream.”
“See, I told you it’s been forever.”He winked.“And I brought surprises. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“I’d love one. I just sat down and was thinking I should have brought out a glass to enjoy while I unwind.”
“Then let me pop inside, open the wine, and grab glasses.”He got up and disappeared inside.
She stared at the small package, wrapped precisely and finished off with a silver ribbon bow. Hm…
He returned, handed her a glass of wine, and grinned as he sat back down.“So, were you wondering what’s in the box?”
She laughed.“Yes, I was.”
“It’s a little present I got for you. A kind of pre-wedding present. Open it.”
She picked up the package and pulled at the ribbon. She lifted the lid and gasped.“Oh, Barry. It’s just like Grace’s.”She pulled out a silver sand dollar on a delicate silver chain.
“After you told me about Grace’s necklace and how much it meant to Grace and how Heather had given it to Blake…well, I thought that maybe you’d like one just like it. You said that Grace’s husband gave it to her as a wedding gift…and I thought you might like the same for your wedding gift. I borrowed the original from Blake and had a jeweler cast this one for you.”
She held it up and watched how the low lights surrounding them reflected on the necklace.“I love it. Just love it.”She slipped it on her neck, and it came to rest below her throat.
“It looks nice on you,”Barry said.
She reached up and touched the necklace. And somehow she felt even more connected to Grace Parker. Like she had Grace’s blessing on this wedding. That they would be as happily married as Grace and her husband.“This was so thoughtful.”
“Hey, I’m a thoughtful kind of guy,”he joked.
