“Ellie’s just settling in. Listen, I’m sorry for your loss. I know you were hoping for more time—”
He nods again, eyes in the dirt between us. “Time, yeah. Never seems to be a fair thing, does it?”
“It can be.”
“You know I’m nine years older than her. I shouldn’t have outlived her.”
His eyes are red, distant. And I feel his pain. There were many nights I thought the same thing. If anyone deserved to live longer, it was Millie. Woman knew how to live, how to make the most of life.
“Sure as hell shouldn’t’ve outlived my daughter.”
I swallow, knowing I couldn’t bear to lose mine. But I also don’t need to mention how many years I lost with her—important years—because he and his family kept quiet. “Tammy was special. But I do believe they’re in a better place now.”
“Just waitin’ for me, I suppose.”
“Listen, Cole, I understand why you’re here, but I don’t think it’s a good time to tell Ellie—”
“I’m not here to tell her about Maya.” He turns his gaze on me. Hard and decisive. “I don’t think I’ll be signing over custody of Ellie.”
I stare at him. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s nice that you’ve finally got a house for just the two of you, but what do you know about raising a little girl?”
I glance back to make sure Ellie’s still inside. And see Dad stepping out. His eyes focused on Cole like he’s a threat.
“With all due respect, Ellie’s my daughter. There’s a test proving it and I’m not so sure you’ve got much of a fight.” I don’t mean to attack. Not a kind, hurting man like Cole—but you come to my door threatening my family, and you won’t see any of the Thorne men hold back.
“Ellie’s all I have left,” he rasps.
I step closer, my voice low. “No one’s taking her away from you.”
“Oh yeah? Then why isn’t she out here?”
“I told you, I don’t want her knowing about her grandmother yet.”
His jaw tightens. Eyes dipping down to the ground again. “I’ve already spoken to Jenny. Told her I changed my mind.”
“You did what?” Dad snaps from behind me.
I hold up a hand without glancing back, my eyes trained on Cole, my back teeth clenched. My emotions in check. “Cole. I know you’re hurting, but taking Ellie away—”
“I’m not taking her away. I’m taking herback. I’m not abandoning her,” he cries out and I blow into my fist to remind myself who I’m dealing with.
I place a hand over his shoulder. “Take a walk with me. There’s no need to get loud.”
He and Dad exchange a glare before I turn him away, leaning in close. “Look, I know there’s still a few boxes we need to check, but I’m sure Jenny told you we can’t turn back now.”
Weakly, he pushes my hand off his shoulder. “You’re wrong. Jenny suggested I get a lawyer and we can take it from there. I called Glenda. She said with your record, it shouldn’t be an issue. She’ll be calling Jenny to pause the process tomorrow.”
“On what fucking grounds?”
“Everyone knows you’re still grieving your fiancé. Saw it myself when I first met you.”
I bite back a retort. One that calls him out for being guilty of the same damn thing. My voice is hoarse. “That’s really not fair.”
“That and the fact that you’re a bachelor. I’ve got my sister ready to move in. Raised three daughters and an army of granddaughters.”
I know Glenda Lost. The expensive town lawyer, PTA president, on the board ofeverything. She’s a shark. Goes for the kill every time. But it’s impossible to get her to take your case.
