He hugs the bear tightly before settling down. A siren blares in my ear as another fire truck races by. I close the boys’ door and climb into the front seat, ready to escape the chaos and settle my thundering heart rate.
“I cannot believe this is my life right now,” I grumble.
I navigate to the first person I can think to call and tap on her name. I put it on speakerphone and pull away from the curb.
She answers on the third ring.
“Hey, pretty lady! What’s up?” Rosie’s voice is upbeat.
“Um, well, it’s been better.”
“Oh no. Is it Saruman? What did he do this time?”
Saruman is the nickname we use to talk about Matt because we always have little listening ears. It’s the evil wizard from theLord of the Ringsmovies, one of my favorite series.
“Actually, not him this time, but?—”
My phone starts buzzing with another incoming call. I pull it away from my face to see that my ex is calling me.
Fuck my life.
“Wow, his ears must be ringing because he’s calling me. But no! Not about him. Um, my apartment complex caught on fire, and we had to evacuate.”
I rush the last words out, taking a left turn toward Redford Ranch. Rosie has offered her guest room up to mecountless times. I struggle with accepting help, big time, but the circumstances I’m in are leaving me with no other options.
I’d rather sleep in my car than stay under the same roof as my ex-husband.
“Oh my gosh! Girl, are you okay? Did anyone get hurt? If you need a place to stay, we have plenty of beds here!”
I exhale a sigh of relief. “Yes, we’re okay. It was a little scary when the fire alarm went off in the middle of dinner, but we made it out. I didn’t know how bad it was, so I wasn’t able to grab much stuff. I really hope it doesn’t destroy all my belongings.”
Oh shit. I never got around to applying for rental insurance …
With the stress of split custody and working so many hours, it completely slipped my mind.
“Oh wow, I am so relieved y’all are okay. Come over right now! My mom is staying with us, but the main house has plenty of room, or you can sleep in the bunkhouse with Eden.”
My phone starts buzzing again. I don’t have to look to know that it’s Matt. I grind my molars together and take another left turn.
“I’d prefer to stay in the bunkhouse, if that’s okay. I don’t want to be in your way. Hopefully, it’s just for a few days, and we’ll be able to go back.”
I can’t fathom sleeping under the same roof as Duke Redford.
That scenario would make my entire bodygo up in flames.
“It’s fine. I have a million younger siblings and nieces and nephews. I love kids.” Eden smiles warmly at me as she towel-dries Dutton’s hair.
Dawson is still in the bathtub, making fire truck noises that are giving me anxiety.
I sigh, leaning against the doorframe. I don’t know Sterling’s wife well, but she seems like a complete doll, the kind of girl who makes me wish I knew when to keep my mouth shut and act like a sweetheart.
Everyone loves a sweetheart like Eden. She’s easygoing, helpful, and soft-spoken.
She looks like Rapunzel, the cartoon version with big eyes. She has long, golden hair and a cute little baby bump. I looked like a whale when I was pregnant—a pregnant whale.
“I really appreciate you. Sorry we invaded your space and barged in here with no warning.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t do well with the silence. Little feet running around is just what I needed.”
