Scarlett wrapped her in a hug. “Promise.” She kissed her daughter’s silky hair and then walked her to the waiting car. “See you later.”
“Love you, Momma!”
“Love you,” she replied as Cora buckled her seatbelt. Closing the door, she stepped back and waved as the car pulled away.
At least that was one detail handled. If only handling Cooper would be so easy.
She’d barely returned to her desk with Cora’s backpack before Cooper loomed in the doorway. His gaze scanned the small space, brow furrowed. “They sent me back.”
“That’s fine.”
“Is she, um, here?”
“No. I sent her home with a friend so we could speak freely.” Scarlett shut down her computer and grabbed her purse.
“You’re unbelievable,” he groused. “She’s?—”
Scarlett cut him off with a sharp look. “It’s my job to protect her. From any and all curve balls.” She came around her desk, nearly stepping on his toes. “That includes you.”
He opened his mouth and she dared him to speak. “Shall we go?”
His shrug was answer enough as he stepped back to let her lead the way.
Outside, she donned her sunglasses and walked straight out to her car. “I’ll tell you everything, but I’d prefer some privacy.”
Looking miserable, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Your place or mine?”
What a loaded question. “Mine.” If those were the only options, she wanted the home court advantage. “As long as you understand I’ll drop a restraining order on you if you abuse that knowledge.”
“I wouldn’t have to stalk my daughter if you’d told me about her,” he shot back.
He might as well have sliced her open. Thank goodness her sunglasses hid her reaction. Swallowing a scathing retort, she gave him her address. “Would you like me to wait here so you can follow me?”
“Sure.” He loped off, and she embraced the momentary reprieve.
It wasn’t enough time to find a smooth path forward. This was bound to be messy, but what else was there?The only way is through.She was really starting to detest that phrase.
Once he returned, she pulled out of the parking lot and drove the short distance to her house. Tucked into a wooded lot that backed onto the marsh, her cottage would give them plenty of privacy. With luck, she’d be able to keep him outside on theporch until they came to some sort of terms about how to move forward. It was irrational, but she didn’t want him crossing the threshold before he gave her some assurances.
She didn’t need him to be involved, but she couldn’t legally keep him away. Her only goal was to protect Cora from a broken heart. If Cooper chose not to stick around, there was no reason to turn their daughter’s world inside out.
She turned into the gravel drive and cut the engine. By the time Cooper parked behind her, she was leaning against the car door.
“How old is she?” he demanded in a gravelly voice. The emotions were storm clouds in his eyes.
Scarlett eased her white-knuckled grip on the loop of Cora’s backpack. “She’s six.”
“She’s mine.”
Although it clearly wasn’t a question, Scarlett had to bite back a sharp retort. “Yes.”
“Six years,” he repeated. “How the hell am I supposed to get any of that back? Why did you do this?”
The pain in his voice, in his eyes struck her like a physical blow.
“I’m sorry, Cooper. I didn’t make the decision to hurt you.”
“I loved you. I thought…” His jaw clenched and he spun away.
