“Any particular reason why?”
“I might send a gift to her,” Tabitha responded. “It all depends on if I think she deserves it.”
“I understand that sentiment,” Johnnie grumbled, pulled out his phone, and fired off the text.
Kendall had a job to do. Somehow. It didn’t matter if she felt as if she’d been living outside of her body for the past day. Nor did it matter that she hadn’t wanted to come and pretend all was well between her and Johnnie. It wasn’t. Just knowing she would be subjected to his brand of torture so she wouldn’t lose her children broke her heart. No, it brokeher. Her marriage was over andherJohnnie was forever lost to her. Perhaps, he’d never existed, and the charmer he’d been was just an illusion.
If she would’ve confessed where she’d gone, she would’ve given up all hope of her grand plan to get away. Deep down, though, she knewescaping would be impossible. She needed to confess, withdraw her bid for the house, and tell her attorney she’d changed her mind.
It was no longer about Rory. He hated her anyway and believed her to be nothing more than a selfish mental case. Her son wouldn’t care how she saw him.
Besides, her decision concerned all four of her kids. She couldn’t risk one of them, so she was doomed to a lifetime of misery.
Holding herself together took effort. She wasn’t even sure if she’d tell Meggie or Roxy. What could they do anyway? If Johnnie didn’t kill her, and that was a bigif, she was sure he’d disappear with her kids.
Then, she wouldn’t want to live anyway.
Removing her glasses, she swiped at the tears sneaking down her cheeks. She was so unhappy and backed into a corner. If she wouldn’t play right into Johnnie’s hands, shewouldgo to Mortician. As she’d told Johnnie, she didn’t care that he’d never leave Bailey. She just wanted kindness and gentleness. Understanding.
Mort would give her that. The brief kiss they’d shared was everything Johnnie had stopped being. That she was hurt to the depths of her soul reminded Kendall that Johnnie had once been the man of her dreams.
She bowed her head, ashamed. Since she’d returned from Nampa, she hadn’t checked on Harley and she’d barely talked to Mattie. Firstbecause of Charlotte and then because of Johnnie, and his treatment of her.
Rapewas too far and just another reason for her self-pity, but it was definitely manipulation and humiliation. And pain. He’d hurt her. His rough treatment actually made her bleed.
Pressing her lips together, she absently rubbed her stomach.
“Kendall?”
Bash didn’t give her a chance to invite him into the small office before he opened the door. She hurried and slid her glasses back on before turning to the small credenza behind the desk and snatching a sheet of paper. She didn’t see whatever was written on it. She just needed to busy herself.
A hand touched her shoulder and she almost jumped two feet into the air. Shrugging off Bash’s touch, she stood and stumbled away.
“Turn around, Kendall,” Bash ordered.
“I’m fine,” she blurted, her head pounding.
She and Johnnie had sex early this morning and he’d already told her what he expected of her when they returned home.
She walked to a table, overflowing with mushroom shaped vases, and a Mad Hatter decorative planter right in the center.
“Kendall,” Bash called again, stalking her in the small space.
Two Alice in Wonderland prints hung on the wall, blurring in front of her because of her unshed tears.
“I’m waiting for the rest of the results,” she blurted.
“Did one of the results upset you?”
His close proximity left her with two options. She either had to leave or return to the uncomfortable little desk chair, obviously bought for aesthetics rather than comfort.
“Did you confirm Jana is Johnnie’s daughter?”
Kendall escaped Bash again and returned to the chair. “I-I’m still waiting.”
He started to walk around the desk, but she tensed and he stopped.
“Do you want me to leave you alone?”
