My weekend passes quietly enough. I spend most of it curled up with Gus by the stove. We read, bake cookies, and avoid the outside world.
At least until Sunday evening, when a knock sounds at my door.
For a brief second, I wonder if it’s Eddie and Theo. Maybe he talked things out with Deirdre and we’re okay, just like he promised.
But it’s not Eddie.
Mr. Howard, a longtime friend of my family, stands on my rickety porch, shifting his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Although I’ve known him since I was four, I highly doubt this is a personal call. He’s a powerful attorney in this area, and I can only assume his visit has something to do with Drake’s case.
“Mr. Howard, aren’t you a surprise?” It’s close enough to the truth, althoughnothingreally surprises me anymore. “How have you been?”
Hey, at least he’s smiling and not scowling at me. I’ll take awin where I can get it, although I’m wholly uncertain how far down pleasantry road I need to travel.
“Busy with the grandkids. Busy with work.” He pauses. “Work is actually why I’m here.”
At least he’s getting right to the point.
“Would you like some coffee or a glass of wine?” I ask, motioning toward the kitchen.
He holds up a hand. “No, thank you. This isn’t a social visit.”
Of course it’s not. Could have told you that, Mr. Howard, when I opened the door.
“I have a client you may know.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and pull in a fortifying breath. “Let me guess. Drake or somebody mixed up in his mess.”
Mr. Howard shakes his head. “No, but Drake is a part of this, unfortunately. Deirdre Landry.”
For a second, I can’t feel the floor beneath my feet. “What about her?”
On the surface, I’m calm. But internally, my brain fires on all synapses.
She can’t sue me for existing. I wasn’t trespassing on her property. I wasn’t?—
“Why don’t we have a seat?” Mr. Howard asks.
I shake my head and pour myself a glass of wine. “I’d rather not, although judging by your expression, it seems a bit of alcohol is in order.”
He leans against the doorframe with a sigh. “Deirdre called me this weekend, and she’s very upset about the situation involving you and her ex-husband, namely as it concerns their son, Theo.”
I worry my lower lip so hard I taste blood. “Eddie plans to speak to Deirdre and clear everything up. Until then, I’veagreed to put distance between me and Theo. That should be enough for her, right?”
When Mr. Howard grimaces, I have my answer.
The reality lands like a stone. “Dear God, does she want to take Theo away from Eddie?”
He winces. “She mentioned it, yes. Fighting for sole custody with limited visitation. Under normal circumstances, I’d tell Deirdre to sort this out privately. But this trial has people angry, Kiki, and not just at Drake. They believe you had something to do with it, even though I know that isn’t the case.”
I pace my living room floor, Gus whimpering from his bed in the corner. “Can’t you explain to Deirdre that I had nothing to do with what Drake did?”
Mr. Howard raises his hands in surrender. “It’s not that simple. Deirdre comes from a powerful family—two judges on one side alone. If she decides to head to court over custody, it will get ugly. Drag everyone through hell.”
I’m standing so close to the stove I could easily catch fire, yet I’m colder than a block of ice.
“What are you saying, Mr. Howard?”
He removes his hat, shifting it from one hand to the other. “Step back, Kiki. End things with Eddie, at least until after the trial.”
