He couldn’t afford late fees. He tore open the envelope and searched for the balance due and the payment due date.
Balance due: $0.00
Wait, what?
He scanned the paper, finding each of the measly payments he’d made over the last six months listed. At the bottom, he saw a payment made by an anonymous donor for the exact amount he still owed. The payment was made five days ago. Two days after he told Debbie about his difficulty in paying for Savvy’s and Cody’s medical bills.
What was she thinking?
Debbie knew he hated handouts.
And he hadn’t asked for her help. Heat rushed through his body. Hadn’t he become more to her than just another charity case?
Austin hurried to his room and threw some clothes on. Then he knocked on Savvy’s door. He opened it to find her just getting out of bed.
“I need to leave for a bit. Make sure the boys get some breakfast when they wake up.”
“But, Dad, Caleb is coming to pick me up in an hour.”
“Why?”
“Hello, today’s prom. We’re going hiking for our day date.”
Right. Prom. He’d forgotten.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in less than an hour.”
It wouldn’t take but a few minutes to give Debbie a piece of his mind. He was done with rich people and their meddling.
He was so focused on the words he planned to say to Debbie, he was lucky he didn’t get in an accident on the way there. After ringing the doorbell, he balled his fists, crumpling the statement he held. He resisted the urge to swipe away the sweat that pricked his brow. It was a chilly morning, but heat still coursed through his veins.
The door opened.
“You’re ear—“
Austin stepped inside, getting right in her face. “I told you not to make decisions for my children…for my family without consulting me first.”
She stepped back. “I didn’t.”
“Then what’s this?” He waved the statement from the hospital at her.
Her brow furrowed. “I have no idea.”
“You don’t know when to quit, do you? You think just because you’re rich you can do whatever you please. Just like Cheyenne.”
Debbie reeled back. “How can you say that? I’m nothing like Cheyenne. I care more for your children than she ever did.”
“Then why don’t you respect their father?” The volume of his voice rivaled Cody’s when he got excited. “Why do you have to strip away my dignity by going behind my back?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve tried to let go of my pride and not hold your money against you, but just when I finally thought maybe things could work between us youhaveto interfere.”
Debbie’s chin dropped as she shook her head. “Calm down.” She reached out as though she meant to put a hand on his chest, but he stepped away from her. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down! If I’d wanted your help paying my bills, I would have asked for it. A man has an obligation to protect and provide for his family. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do, and yes, my kids have had to do without a few things, but we were doing fine until you came along and made them want all kinds of things they can’t have.” Tightness seized his chest as he realized how badly he’d wanted all those things too.
I should have known it couldn’t happen with another rich woman.
