Ethan handed Pearl her coat, which hung on a hook by the front door and didn’t wait for her to put it on before propelling her to the porch and shutting the door behind them. The cold air hit his cheeks and made his muscles tense. “How did you know we were here?” he asked.
Pearl lifted a shoulder. “I installed that family tracking app on both our phones.” She showed him on her screen. “We’re a family, and we should be able to reach each other anytime.” Her lower lip pouted out. “I thought you’d be happy to see me. I came for Collin.”
Ethan ran his hand down his face. “Pearl, this was a date.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re datingher?” she screeched, scaring birds in the nearby tree. They screamed and took flight.
Ethan sighed. “Not dating. But a date.”
“No, I get it.” Pearl touched his forearm. “The daughter of two famous country music stars. The house. I mean, she’s the whole package, right? If she were a man, I’d be all over her.”
Collin yanked his arm away. “It’s not like that. I didn’t know who she was.”
“You didn’t. Are you blind?”
“It doesn’t matter to me who her parents were. Or how much money she does or doesn't have.” What caught his attention that first day was that she would get down on the store floor and go under the tree with Collin–a kid she’d just met. That was a special kind of woman and one he’d like to get to know better.
“But,” Pearl cocked her head to the side. “It makes a difference–right? That’s why you came here instead of visiting your tiny house.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Explaining this would take all day, and he had neither the patience nor the inclination to make Pearl his relationship confidant. “Look. I don’t know where this will go–if anywhere, but–”
Pearl stomped her foot. “YoutoldmeI couldn't introduce Collin to anyone until I had a ring on my finger. And now I find out you’re bringing strange women into his life behind my back.”
Heaven help him! She switched tactics faster than a hacker intent on getting his credit card number. “You go through men like elves go through wrapping paper,” he fired back.
She gasped.
He instantly regretted being so crass. “Sorry. Listen. I don’t normally date. Today was the first date I’ve been on in years. I appreciate you being here for Collin, but this isn’t the right time. We should work out a schedule–one that works for you.” He’d bend over backward for her schedule if it meant keeping her away from Valerie. He couldn’t believe how she’d treated her–like she was a photo opportunity. And all this talk about her supposed money. The woman made dog treats that sold for $6.99 in a small shop in a tourist town. The light in Valerie’s eyes as she talked about her ideas showed she had substance that Pearl could never aspire to.
“You should go.” He pointed down the long driveway. “I’ll call you as soon as I get back.”
Pearl shook her head. “I came to spend time with Collin, and I’m not leaving without him. The high school concert is tonight. Let’s go–as a family.” She lifted her chin. “Bring Valerie. She’s into music. I’m sure she’ll love it.” She paused, and her face brightened. “Won’t we look so sophisticated–me, my ex-husband, his girlfriend, and our child all getting along together?”
He shuddered at the wordfamilydropping from her lips while, at the same time, she plotted ways to use Valerie’s celebrity status to enrich her own life. Why had he ever wanted to be a family with this woman?
Collin. That’s why.
He bit his lip. He couldn’t walk away from Pearl. She was the mother of his child, and that connection would never go away. Working with her was in Collin’s best interest–no matter how difficult it was for him. But that didn’t mean he had to drag Valerie into the middle of it all.
“Let’s go to the concert.” He motioned toward the door. “I’ll get Collin, and we’ll meet you out here. Please don’t come back inside, and don’t plan on Valerie coming.”
“Why not?” she whined.
“Because she’s not someone you can flash on your social media.” He cut his hand through the air.
“People like her are used to the spotlight. She doesn’t care.” Pearl flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Ethan let silence fall over them until Pearl shifted uncomfortably. Then he said, “It matters to me.”
Pearl stepped back and ducked her head. “Whatever. Hurry up–it’s cold.”
He pushed back into the house, which had gone quiet. He headed for the kitchen. Another door opened and closed, and Collin’s voice filled the house. “He’s so strong. But he didn’t pull me over.”
“You did well. I think he’d like you to walk him again. Tanya and I like to move slower,” Valerie replied.
Collin laughed. “That’s because she sniffs everything.”
The dogs shook out their ears, the flapping making Collin laugh louder. Ethan smiled at the picture he came upon. Valerie took off her scarf while Ethan worked the leash off of Tucker. Tucker licked Collin’s cheek, and he groaned, swiping his hand over the same spot to remove the slobber. Valerie laughed and wiped his cheek with a baby wipe. The package was stored on the shelf, along with other items used to clean up after the dogs.
