Before I fall asleep with Katie wrapped in my arms, I kiss her good night, then force myself to get up and get dressed. It’s not too late, just a little past ten, but we’re both exhausted after our weekend together and working all day.
“See you tomorrow, sweetheart,” I say.
“Mmm,” she responds with a sleepy smile. She looks comfortable and content.
“I’ll lock up,” I tell her. After her house is secure, I drive home, feeling tired but also elated. I pull into the driveway and park beside Belinda’s car.
When I walk in, they’re sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea.
“Hey, Noah!” Belinda says.
“You want some Earl Grey and cookies?” Dad asks.
“Nah. I’m probably gonna go to bed. I’ve had a long day,” I admit with a yawn.
“Night!” Belinda and Dad say at the same time.
“Good night.” I offer a smile and go upstairs.
As I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, removing my shoes, I can hear them talking. While I’m not trying to eavesdrop, the moment I hear my name, my attention zones in on their conversation.
“I’m just worried about Noah,” she tells him. Her voice lowers, so I move to the top of the staircase.
“When Loretta came to the deli right before close, she had a crazed look in her eye. I sat her at a booth, then went to my office to start closing duties. When Brittany came from the back, Loretta started screaming at her.”
“Really? It takes a lot to push Loretta to that point. She’s usually good at holding her emotions in and staying calm,” Dad says with a concerned tone, and it’s true. When I was a kid, she never raised her voice.
“I’ve never heard her so angry, and I’ve known her for over twenty years,” she says with a sigh.
“What was she saying?” Dad asks.
“She yelled about the money she had given Brittany and asked why she was still in town.”
My adrenaline spikes, and I try to recall what Loretta told Katie. I knew it wasn’t being hidden from Elliot because of his gambling issue. She flat out lied to Katie, which angers me. Thankfully, there’s a long pause before Belinda speaks up again because it gives me time to process this revelation.
“And then Loretta mentioned Gabe and said she knew her son better than Brittany ever did, and that they weren’t even together that long. Then Brittany said something in return, but I couldn’t quite make out all of her words. Something about her son, Anthony.”
Another long pause. My mind reels as I try to figure out what the hell is really going on.
“Brittany knew Gabe?” Dad asks.
“Apparently so. Loretta asked her again why she was still in Lawton Ridge. Brittany mentioned Noah and said there was a change of plans. After that, I walked out of my office into the dining area, and they got eerily quiet. Brittany’s face was beet red, and Loretta’s eyes were nearly bugging out of her head. I tried to defuse the situation and asked Loretta if she’d be ordering anything before we closed down the kitchen. Instead, she glared at Brittany like she was ready to strangle her, then got up and left.”
“This is odd,” Dad says. “Do you think–”
“Loretta and Brittany are responsible for Noah’s accident?” she asks. “I don’t have a doubt in my mind.”
“Did Brittany say anything to you once Loretta left?” Dad asks exactly what I want to know.
“No. She didn’t even try to explain herself, but there was something dangerous behind her forced smile. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I don’t trust her.”
“Best to keep an eye on her then,” Dad suggests.
“I’m not letting her out of my sight,” Belinda snaps.
Chapter Seven
KATIE
I wake up with a permanent smile on my face. Being with Noah has been a dream come true, and I love how caring and compassionate he is when it comes to Owen. Last night was incredible, and for the first time in a long-ass time, I feel complete. My son has a man in his life that he genuinely looks up to, and Noah’s more than willing to be a father figure to him. Seeing how they interact with each other makes my heart swell because I can see the special bond they share. It’s almost like this is how it was meant to be—Owen, Noah, and me. My family.
Though we’re taking it slow, I can’t help but imagine our future together.
After Owen and I finish eating breakfast, he brushes his teeth, then grabs his backpack, and I take him to school. Once I’m at work taking my first sip of coffee, my phone buzzes.
Noah: Hey, baby. Good morning.
Katie: Morning! Sleep okay? ;)
Noah: Actually no.
My face contorts as I read his message because I wasn’t expecting that response. Moments later, he calls me.
“Hey,” I answer. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know…” He hesitates. “Last night after I got home, I overheard Belinda talking to my dad. I’ve tried to ignore it, but some of the things she said…Katie, they’re working together,” he abruptly says.
“What? Who?”
“Loretta and Brittany. I want to tell you everything, but I’ll wait until later tonight when we’re alone,” he says with a lowered voice. “I don’t want anyone to overhear at the gym.”
“That’s fine. Not a problem,” I tell him.
“We can chat after dinner tonight. My treat,” he says, and I know he’s smiling by his tone.
“Owen would love that,” I admit, just as Missy enters and says my first appointment of the day is in the waiting room. I wave to her to bring them in.
“I’m sorry. Gotta go,” I say.
“No problem at all. Love you,” he tells me.
“Love you too, bye.”
Unfortunately, the day passes by at turtle speed, and I’ve looked at the clock more times than I can count. By the time I pick up Owen from my parents' and Noah comes over for dinner, I’ve thought of every possible scenario known to man. My mind has been in overdrive, wanting to know what was said.
Noah brings fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a pile of buttered biscuits. We devour the food like we haven’t eaten in a week. Owen yawns, and I notice he’s struggling to stay awake, probably because I let him stay up a little later last night.
“Time for bed,” I finally say, and he sticks out his lower lip.
“But I wanted to hang out with Noah some more.”
Noah grins wide. “I’m gonna be around a lot, bud. Get some rest, and maybe we can hang out this weekend?”
Owen’s eyes light up, and it makes me smile. “Deal,” he tells Noah and holds out his hand to shake on it. I lead him to his room, and after he changes into his pajamas and brushes his teeth, I tuck him in, then tell him good night.
On the way back to Noah, my body buzzes with the prospect of what he’ll say. I sit next to him on the couch, and he leans forward, painting his warm lips across mine. When we break apart, he meets my eyes. “Are you ready to hear this?”