“I wouldn’t cross them.” I chuckled. “You know teachers. They are ruthless and organized.”
“True. And the last thing I need is the Maple Street Mafia joining forces with them and making my life hell.”
I grinned. Fearing a cabal of Patagonia-clad old ladies was the stuff of pure Vermont small-town life.
“Can I help?”
“Nah, go back to Evie and Vincent. Enjoy your time with them.”
I coiled the tubing and put the tools away, then got my ATV packed. “Didn’t think I’d ever hear you say you were proud of me,” I teased.
Head down, Josh packed up his own tools. “Didn’t say I was, dumbass. Just said Dad would be.” He sighed, and under his breath, he added, “But yeah, I am proud of you.”
A lightness grew in my chest. “Guess we’re both growing.”
“Suppose so. Now don’t let it go to your head.”
I headed back to the barn and got my things put away quickly, eager to get back to Evie. I had to work tonight, but a couple hours with her and Vincent would do me some good.When I’d woken up in her bed this morning, my world had felt completely right.
As I exited the barn, I was hit with a whiff of my own sweat, so I headed for the house, figuring I’d grab a shower and clean clothes before driving back into town.
I was approaching the door to the mudroom when a familiar red Jeep rolled up and parked, and my cousin hopped out.
“Hey, Gabe.”
He was dressed in his customary slacks and dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It was hotter than Hades out, yet he looked totally cool.
Maybe it was a skill he’d learned in law school, because after a morning outside, my T-shirt had liquefied against my skin.
“Glad you’re here.” He gave me a big white smile. “Got those papers we discussed. Though Brian did a lot of the work, since I’ve been dealing with town stuff.”
Confused, I stepped toward him. “Papers?”
“Yeah, I’ve been driving around with them for days. Just haven’t had time to drop them by. Figured I’d eventually run into you.”
He held out a dark brown stretchy folder.
“There are petitions in there.” He nodded at the file. “Some printouts regarding Vermont law and paternal rights. Child support guidelines. And the request for a paternity test.”
The folder suddenly felt like a cinderblock, its weight too much to carry.
“I don’t need this,” I said, pushing it toward him.
Rather than take it, he ran his hands through his hair. “I have a call with the governor in an hour. I don’t have time to discuss this again. Read through it. Think about it. You don’t have to do anything right now. But promise you’ll read everything.”
The stress etched into the lines on his face was hard to miss. My cousin was overwhelmed. Shit. With the murder stillunsolved, of course he had more important things to worry about. And he and Brian had done all this free legal work for me.
“Of course,” I said, tucking it under my arm. “I’ll read through it, but I’m not ready to make any decisions yet.”
He clapped me on the shoulder. “Great. Text me with questions. I gotta find Josh.”
He took off at a light jog toward the main barn, leaving me in the dusty driveway, confused and frustrated.
I ambled over to my car and tucked the folder under the passenger side visor. I’d read through it tomorrow during my downtime at work. I also had more important things to do right now, mainly visiting my girl and my son.
Chapter 30
Evie
