“Sure. Go on up. Pretty clean up there.” I grinned, having heard her comment that for a single old man, the place was very clean.
Admittedly, if I had money lying around and just for the sake of it, I’d buy this place too. The sea-facing cottage was old yet sturdy. Built more than sixty years ago by Frank’s father, it remained one of the few untouched by prospective land developers changing old for the new. Nestled snugly between lush vegetation covered mountains and the deep blue ocean, it was a homely dream. The only access, a paved road running into a dead end, separated the house from the mountain. It contained two ornately furnished bedrooms, a comfortable sized lounge and a massive kitchen with an open-plan dining area. In my books it was the ideal home for newlyweds.
“Ma...ma.” The light tugging on my skirt, had me closing the file I held and looking behind me.
With a thumb in his mouth, his soft brown eyes questioning, a baby, probably around two, give or take a few months either way, stared up at me.
“Hello, sweetheart.” I knelt and touched his cheek lightly. “Are you looking for your mommy?” He reached out and fingered the pendant hanging from a silver chain around my neck. “You like that.” I cooed. “It’s a dolphin.”
“Kyle...” I heard someone call out.
“I think that’s you mommy looking for you, Kyle,” I whispered tickling his tummy. He giggled.
“There you are.”
I heard her come up behind me and got to my feet. “I think he wanted to explore...” I gagged like someone just sucker punched me in the solar plexus, my diaphragm paralyzing as my eyes met the one woman, I hoped I’d never see again.
“Well, this is a heck of a coincidence.” Ryleigh shook her head, her disbelief reflecting mine.
For one stupid moment I was right back to being the naïve teenager she’d initially met. I couldn’t find the right words and when she picked up the child, hugging him to her with a kiss to his cheek, my insides were desperate to become my outsides. I had zero chance of keeping the little lunch I had down, unless I left, like right this minute.
But she didn’t allow me that opportunity. “This is my son, Kyle.” Her expression wasn’t that of a doting mother, more a queen bitch out for revenge if I had to be petty.
They had another child!
I pulled in a breath, but it was shallow and shaky. “Glad to see.” I paused, swallowing the bile lining my throat and offered her a pleasant smile. “You and Sh...hay,” I silently kicked myself for faltering on his name when I prayed for confidence. “Had another baby. That’s nice.”
Before she could respond, the couple from the attic, reappeared. “Thank you, dear. It’s a lovely home and perfect for us. We’ll be in touch to sign the documents.” The woman patted my shoulder lightly.
I smiled, grateful for their distraction because God alone knew how I remained standing, hoping Shay wouldn’t come into this room. Ryleigh’s presence meant he was here too which begged the question, what were they doing in this town.
“Bye,” I greeted the couple. As they walked out, I noticed Ryleigh was gone. I checked the name on the schedule Paris had given me. There was no Donovan on that list. So where did they come from? Why now? Why here?
Part of me wanted to stay and see if Ryleigh would tell Shay I was there, which I doubted. No matter how desperately my heart, body and soul cried to see him, her threat stayed at the forefront. Shamelessly, the other part of me made a quick dash out the back door and down onto the beach.
The trek over the soft sand wasn’t the best in heels but when you were powerwalking with the devil at your rear, anything was possible. After a few stumbles, I removed my shoes and raced the rest of the way. Finally, I made it back to the main road, dusted my feet and slipped my shoes back on. I stood on the curb debating my options for a moment.
The good thing about living in a small town, everything was within walking distance, well, almost everything. I’d have to grab a cab back to the store, since I left my car at Frank’s place, or I could pander to the abrupt need for a drink, something I never did.
My answer came in the form of my ringing phone. Paris’ name flashed on the screen. “Hi,” I answered, my nerves now totally out of sync with my breathing.
“Babe, I don’t know what you did, but I just got a text from someone, who wasn’t even on the schedule, asking to lease the property with the option to buy.” She laughed.
A second bout of panic crested my chaotic insides. “Um, Paris, what’s the name,” I asked.
“Hang on a second.” I heard her phone beep. “He signed off as Donovan...” she trailed off for a second then added, “Didn’t you meet him at the house?” she rattled on, oblivious to my spiked blood pressure.
The shock that had held me together for the past few minutes cracked. “Paris, I can’t chat now,” I cut the call, aware I was in for a tongue lashing for being rude.
I didn’t care.
Hands on my knees, I drew in lungsful of air, coaxing my numb body to stay upright. Straightening, I paced for a bit. “Oh, God. How do I live with him in the same town, worse, a couple of houses down from me...” I came to a stop and glanced across the road. “Oh, to hell with it.” I made the detour to Shipwreck, our local hangout spot when people just wanted to chill.
“Double whiskey on the rocks,” I said to the twenty-year-old barmen behind the counter, five minutes later.
His eyes widening, he looked surprised. At my raised brow and hands crossed over my chest, he poured the drink and set it in front of me. Normal me would’ve waved the drink aside, flustered me, however, grabbed the glass and I tossed it back in one gulp. “Oh, my God,” I coughed after the liquid burned down my throat.
“Another?” the barman laughed.
