I slumped back in my chair, feeling numb. Tim wasn’t a ghost. He was the freaking devil.
“I’m concerned for your safety, Jill. From what you’ve told me he’s a volatile man, and I have a feeling I don’t have the whole story either.”
That was the damn truth.
“Is there someone you can stay with for a while? Until we can track him down?”
I winced, hating the idea of losing the bit of independence I’d fought to reclaim. “I’ll think about it. I would never risk Mason’s safety, but we’ve been in Hawthorne for a while now. He hasn’t tried to make contact.”
“I felt better about that when we could contact him in Texas or when his employer confirmed he was out of state.”
Tim used to travel constantly for work. It was one of the few reasons we’d lasted as long as we had.
I bit my lip. “I’ll think it over.”
He nodded, his gaze dropping to my arm. “You got your cast off.”
I offered him a small smile despite my tumultuous mood. “Yes, finally. I should be able to get back to work soon.”
“That’s great.” He nodded, rising as I shook his hand. “Apologies for the late meeting tonight and not having better news, but I wanted to talk to you about this in person. I’m sure you’re eager to pick up Mason. I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”
“Okay,” I replied, suddenly exhausted. I’d skipped dinner but my appetite had disappeared as suddenly as my ex. “Talk to you soon.”
“Drive safe.” He nodded.
****
I didn’t sleep. Not one wink.
My exhausted thoughts swung toward Tim anytime a car drove by, any time a creak sounded somewhere in the building, and my heart rate would accelerate.
I was afraid, and that pissed me right the hell off.
I swore when I left him after that last time, Tim would never make me feel afraid again. And yet here I was, terrified, and he didn’t even have to be near me to cause it.
I was at my wits’ end by daybreak.
I’ll leave my house in 20. That work?
The text from Sophie came through early that morning. I’d already showered and had enough coffee to fuel a jet. We’d made plans for her to come by for breakfast with Maddox. I hadn’t seen her since my trip to New Mexico.
Sounds great.
I set to work making muffins, needing something to occupy my time while I waited. Baking had always been a love of mine and something special I’d shared with my Gran.
When Sophie arrived I was plating the muffins and flipping the omelets.
“It smells amazing in here!” Sophie moaned as I smiled, balancing Mason against my hip. “You’re going to make me fat,” she complained.
I laughed. “You’re pregnant. You need a good breakfast. And Bubs here will never turn down a good meal,” I added with a smile. “Or a good nap.” I looked at Mason as he babbled urgently, eager for breakfast.
“This I know.” She nodded with a smile, putting Maddox on the floor near the toys I had set up in the corner. “For once Mad slept like a champ.” She stood up, getting her first good look at me. “Unlike you,” she surmised.
“Unlike me,” I agreed with a sigh as I put Mason next to Maddox and moved back to the stove to finish preparing breakfast.
She sat at the bar, watching me intently. “What happened?”
I deliberated for a few moments, knowing if I shared the news about Tim she’d flip out.
