He prayed Debbie would forgive him for the lie he was about to tell. “As it just so happens, my fiancé’s wealth is…“ He forced a laugh. “Well, let’s just say it makesconsiderable meanslook… paltry.”
Cheyenne’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Knowing he needed to sell the lie, he kept talking. “We haven’t set a date yet, but I know she’d have no problem getting married right away if she felt it was in the kids’ best interest.” That part was true anyway. Debbie would do anything for his kids. Of that, he had no doubt.
He coughed to clear the acid burning his throat and shrugged. “Legal fees won’t be a problem.”
Cheyenne laughed. “Austin Reed, the proudest man on the planet, accepting money from a wealthy woman? I’ll believe that when I see it.”
Austin sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s easy when said woman is more generous than anyone I’ve ever met.” That was true too. “And never uses her money to manipulate other people to accomplish her own agenda.” That part he was still a little unsure about, but he wanted to believe it was true of Debbie.
Tucker cleared his throat. “Perhaps the four of us could discuss the kids over dinner.”
Austin stared at the other man like he was speaking a foreign language. Tucker James had no right to suggest anything concerning Austin’s children.
He shook his head.
Cheyenne stepped away from Tucker and stood so close to Austin he could smell her expensive perfume—heavy and cloying. “I’m not trying to take the kids away from you. I’d just like to see them. Maybe spend a day or two with them.”
A crawling sensation raced across his skin, and he wished Cheyenne and Tucker would disappear to wherever they’d been for the last five years. He flexed his fingers then balled his hands. He ached to punch Tucker and curse and shout at the woman who’d hurt him and his children more than anyone ever could. He needed to get to his kids and find a way to keep them safe from the storm headed their way.
“Why?” The single word came out clipped and harsh. When she didn’t answer, he asked again, “Why now, after five years?”
He couldn’t for one second believe Cheyenne had anything other than selfish motives for wanting to see the kids.
“Discuss it with your fiancé. Let’s have dinner and talk.” Cheyenne gave him the syrupy-sweet smile she had always used on her parents to get what she wanted.
She’d used it on him too many times to count. And he’d given in to her more often than he’d like to admit.
“Call me. I haven’t changed my number,” she said before turning toward the Mercedes.
That knowledge surprised him. He’d assumed she’d changed her number the day she’d shaken off her old life and walked away from it.
“I don’t remember it. I deleted it after you walked out, and well, five years is a long time.” He gave a shrug that probably looked stiffer than he intended.
Austinhaddeleted her number, but he still remembered it.
Cheyenne smiled over her shoulder. “Good thing you haven’t changed yours then. I’ll text you.”
“You should have called and saved yourself a trip,” he said to their backs.
Austin hated to think to what lengths she’d gone to know not only where he lived but also that he hadn’t changed his number. She’d probably had some private detective following him for the past month.
He remained rooted to the spot until his unwanted guests drove out of sight.
He slumped against his truck, still fighting the urge to punch something. Turning, he propped his elbows on the side of the bed and scrubbed his hands over his face then plunged them deep into his hair.
He needed to fix this.
But how?
Still struggling to take a deep breath, he climbed back into his truck.
* * *
A thrill shotthrough Debbie when a knock sounded on her front door. She shouldn’t be so excited to see Austin again, but the thought of spending the evening with him and his kids without the chaos of the soccer fields made her happier than she’d been since Noah left.
Getting too attached to his family was dangerous. When Savannah was done with the mural and the other projects Debbie wanted her help with, she’d never be able to fill the void they’d leave.
