We rode over to a small deli not too far away. I’d never been there, but the food was delicious. As we ate, a blob of mustard plopped on my shirt. Not only did it fall, it landed square on my boob. I wiped it but only made it worse. Why had I worn a T-shirt, and a white one at that? I had dressed a bit on the sloppy side, not expecting him to be in today. He’d been gone for the week so I’d figured he’d miss today too.
His finger made a little circle. “Um, that looks kind of bad.”
“Yeah, I’m a klutz so I carry one of these.” I reached into my purse and pulled out a stain pen. “Plus, having a six-year-old, this comes in handy.” Not giving it a thought, I went to work on the stain, and it cleared up the mustard issue while creating a perfectly transparent background. My lacy bra shone through like a boob bullseye.
“Yeah, that’s, um, better,” he coughed out.
Sure it was. Good thing it would dry soon and be gone. But his eyes kept straying there as we talked. I finally snapped my fingers and said, “Hey, eyes up here,” and pointed to mine.
He made a funny face and said, “Busted.” Then he told me what was going on with his family. His mother must be a real viper, but the sister sounded like she needed a swift kick in the ass.
“Think your plan will work?”
“They don’t have a choice. I’m in control now, so it’s my way or the highway.”
“I’m sure that went over well.”
“Yeah, I’m waiting for my sister to stab me in my sleep.”
“What?”
He laughed. “I’m kidding, but it’s time she takes responsibility for herself. She hasn’t so far and I’m doing my best to teach her how. And my mother… she is beyond help, I’m afraid. But her betrayal was too much.”
“Betrayal?”
Tristian explained about the situation with the attorney and how he’d fired him.
“Wow, you really have had your hands full.”
He leaned back and was quiet for a second. “You know something? This has brought my brothers and me much closer. I was under the impression my father was angry and didn’t want me to succeed as a photographer, but I learned he felt the opposite. I wish we were still alive so I could thank him. It’s sad that his death achieved something I never saw happening.”
I automatically reached for his hand. “I’m happy you’re closer to your brothers now. I grew up in a home filled with love and happiness so I can’t imagine it any other way.”
He blinked several times and turned away. “I was shipped off to boarding school when I was ten. My mother didn’t want the responsibility of kids. Funny thing about that, she didn’t have it anyway. We each had a nanny to care for us.”
“Ten? My God, you were so young.”
His lip curled as he said, “She wanted us to go earlier but my dad wouldn’t allow it. It was awful, but I had my older brother there for support. I can’t imagine what he went through.”
“I’m sorry. Your mom missed out on so much. Kids are the best. I mean they’re bright and funny.”
“I realized that the other day at your house. Easton is quite a pistol.”
Shit. Why had he brought that up? I’d been trying to avoid that embarrassing conversation. “Yeah, sorry about that. She doesn’t have much of a filter and gets carried away sometimes. I think since it’s just the two of us, she is much more talkative because she doesn’t have to share me with anyone.”
He nodded. “Makes sense, but she’s quite a comedian.”
“Don’t tell her that. She’ll try to put on shows for you.”
“Shows?”
“Any kind of shows. She’ll dance, sing, try to act funny, just about anything. But hey, I don’t want to be that parent who always talks about their kid.”
“You’re not. I was the one who brought it up. Not to mention I love to hear about her. She’s great.”
I laughed. “The best thing she ever did was throw up on Stuart.”
“The dude who tried to strangle you?”
“Yeah.” Why had I brought that asshole up? That wasn’t very wise.
“How did that happen?”
“He met us out for lunch one Saturday. I had a momentary loss of sanity when I agreed to that.”
Tristian grabbed my hand and in a grave tone said, “Please don’t ever have anything to do with him again.”
“I don’t plan on it until we go to court.”
His compelling gaze had me staring right back.
“Is that a promise?”
I slowly tipped my head up and down.
We got back to work and, speak of the devil, my phone rang.
“English, it’s Clayton Summers. I’m calling to let you know that Stuart has been released and we have a court date. It’s set for the following month. We’ll meet beforehand to prepare everything. There is an order of protection out on Stuart. He is not to come near you or your daughter.”
“Should I be frightened?”
“No, but if he makes an appearance at your home, call the police immediately. Do not engage with him at all. And call me for anything.”
“Thank you, I will.”
I wanted to go get Easton out of school and hug her. The school had been notified that no one, absolutely no one was to get her except my parents or me. I would make a call and remind them now. After I did that, I called my mom to let her know about the situation.
“Mom, I’m really scared.”
“Don’t worry, honey. It’ll be handled and when he goes to prison for assault and battery, you won’t have to deal with him anymore.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“If you want, I’ll pick up Easton, and you can come straight home. Then you won’t have to worry about making that extra stop.”
“That’s great. Thank you, Mom.”
I left work early because I wasn’t getting anything done. I got home and tried to get something accomplished before Easton arrived, but it was useless. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to wait on the front porch. I sat down on one of the chairs and, as I flipped through the emails on my phone, I heard the voice I’d come to despise again.
“Well, look at the princess sitting on her throne.”
Chapter Nineteen
Tristian
I was on the way to pay a visit to my brothers when the phone rang.
“Mr. Baines, it’s Ryan Cooper. I’ve looked at your father’s will from every possible angle. The clause about your being married is firm. There is no feasible way around it. If you aren’t married by the end of this year, everything in the estate will go to the charity your father chose.”
My damn stomach hit the floor and I almost had to pull the car off the road. “You’re sure?”
“Positive. There is nothing that can be done or I would suggest it to you.”
“Fine,” I bit off. “Thanks for checking into it.”
Stanton was in a chair when I arrived. I was so out of it, I couldn’t speak at first.
“You’re going to wear out your shoes if you don’t stop.”