I don’t want that conversation to happen. Because it will make Amelia sad. And one of my goals in life, other than to figure out how to keep them here, is making them happy. Both of them.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” I say to Kenna on our way out. I squeeze her hand. “Besides, you should be thinking about all the ways we’re going to make use of the fort. Time better spent, if you ask me.”
“But she—”
“She’s four,” I interrupt. “She’s already forgotten it.”
“I promise you she hasn’t. She brings it up all the time, Carter.” Her head shakes. “And us doing things like we did last night is not helping. I don’t want to confuse her. She already…” Her eyes close.
“She already what?” I ask, glancing back at the three kids who are saying their goodbyes.
“She already loves you.”
My heart explodes at the declaration. I want to tell her that I love Amelia, too. That I loveher. But now is not the time.
I spend the entire drive back replaying those words in my head. Because the truth is, being Amelia’s dad is something I want more than anything.
~ ~ ~
After dropping off Bug, I take Christian to the shop. He’ll hang out with Mia and then go to her place for the night. He settles in behind the counter, always willing to lend a hand having long ago learned the computer system.
Back in the front lot, I’m climbing into my car when a familiar face comes into view through my windshield. My entire body tenses and I quickly get right back out. “What the fuck are you doing here, Cyrus? I want you off my property. Now.”
He laughs like the devil incarnate. “Ahhh, so I guess the jig is up.” He shrugs. “Was she cowering in the house peeking out a window?”
“Do you not speak English? I said get off my property.”
He glances around. “Well now, let’s see. It’s not entirely yours, now is it? Not based on the sizable loan coming due. And don’t even get me started on the mortgage on your meager little house. I know exactly who you are, Carter Cruz. A struggling mechanic. The single dad trying to make ends meet to give his disabled son the life he himself never had.”
I bristle and ball my hands into fists, barely holding myself back from pummeling him into the asphalt.
“Careful,” he warns. “I’m a lawyer. And believe me, the very last thing you want to do is assault an attorney.”
I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I taste blood. “She’s not here. She’s gone. You drove her out of town. So you can take your threats and get the fuck out.”
He laughs again. “Oh, I’m fairly certain she’s here. A guy like you, one who’s on the verge of losing his sorry little business to some new competition, he’s not just going to let a woman like that get away. No wonder you’ve latched on to her.” He steps closer and gets in my face. He’s close enough that I can smell alcohol on his breath. “I’m warning you—if that little bitch is anyone’s meal ticket, it’s mine.”
“Is there a problem out here?” someone says behind me.
Both of us turn to see Lincoln and Dax ten feet away. They’re standing tall, arms crossed, ready to throw down at the first hint of trouble.
“This douchebag was just leaving,” I say and turn to Cyrus with a death stare. “Aren’t you?”
“I’d like to see you make me.”
I start losing my shit and almost pin him against the car. But then I back off when I remember my impressionable son is inside and quite possibly watching this entire altercation.
Cyrus chuckles snidely. “You think you’re a tough guy with your brothers to back you up, eh?”
He’s goading me. Hewantsme to hit him. Probably so he can have me thrown in jail and out of the way.
“Go ahead and take a swing at me,” I say, not taking the bait. “I’ll show you how fucking tough I am.”
“I’m a lover, Cruz. Not a fighter. Besides, is that any way to talk to a potential customer? Who says I’m not here to have my car fixed? I hear you’re very good at that.” His eyes roll. “Well, I hear you’remarginallygood at that. Especially when it comes to cars belonging to single moms who slid off the road.”
“Leave. Now.”
He looks like he’s about to challenge me when Sheriff Niles pulls into the parking lot. He rolls down his window and looks directly at Cyrus. “What do we have here?”
