Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I turned away from her and glanced around the area of the store we were in. Kelsey Roberts was looking at tomatoes. I rushed over to her. I had seen her last week, and things hadn’t been awkward at all between us. I was glad. Not that we were going to be besties, but we could at least be friends. And I needed someone I could trust at that moment.
“Kelsey.”
She turned and smiled when she saw me and Charlie. “Charlie! Palmer. It’s so good to see you.”
“Hi, Ms. Roberts!”
“Kelsey, I need to ask you a favor.”
Her smile slipped some, probably because of the panic in my voice and the alarmed look on my face. “Of course, what is it?”
“Will you watch Charlie for me for one moment? Do not let him go, or out of your sight.” I wasn’t sure if Ashley was here with someone or not. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and take Charlie from me.
Kelsey looked down at Charlie, then back at me. “Is everything okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yes, but I need to speak to someone, and I need Charlie to stay here with you while I do it.”
It only took Kelsey a moment to piece everything together when she saw Ashley. After all, Ms. Seaside had written about how Mason’s ex-wife was in town.
Bending down, I smiled at Charlie. “Will you do me a big favor and wait right here while I go talk to the strange lady?”
Charlie looked back toward Ashley and then to me. “Yes, but she’s coming this way.”
I put Charlie’s hand in Kelsey’s. I whispered, “Don’t let him hear us.” Then I spun on my heels and marched over to Ashley.
Stepping in front of her, I put my hand on her cart to stop her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
She tilted her head and regarded me for a moment. “I’m shopping for food, what does it look like?”
I felt my heart race in my chest as I attempted to remain calm. “It looks like you’re following us and trying to communicate with a child who has no idea who you are. You’re scaring him.”
Ashley’s eyes darted over to Charlie, then back to me. “I wouldn’t scare him if Mason would let me talk to him. He’s my son.”
I leaned in closer to her and lowered my voice. “I don’t want to make a scene right here in the middle of the grocery store, but if I have to, I will. Listen to me right now, and listen good. Stay away from Charlie. Stay away from Mason, and just leave. You have no rights to Charlie.”
A slow smile spread over her face. “Who says I’m here only for Charlie?”
My stomach dropped, and I prayed my reaction to her comment didn’t show on my face. With a smirk, I hissed, “You’re too late for that, sweetheart. Now, I suggest you get on your broomstick and fly back to wherever the hell you came from. And if I see you so much as look in Charlie’s direction, you’ll regret it.”
She acted shocked as she asked, “Did you just threaten me?”
“I warned you.”
“The last time I looked, this was a free country.”
With the biggest smile I could muster, I replied, “You have no idea how miserable I can make things for you here in Seaside. Don’t forget, I grew up in this town, and I know nearly everyone here—including the owner of the hotel you’re staying at. One call from me and you won’t have a place to lay your head anymore.”
Ashley’s eyes widened, and her fake smile faltered slightly. “If you think your little threats will stop me, you’re in for a surprise. I’m here for what’s rightly mine.”
I tilted my head and let my gaze slowly roam over her. When our eyes met again, I shook my head and then let out a bitter laugh. “Rightly yours? I don’t think so. You gave them both up five years ago, and guess what? They’re mine now, and I will defend and protect them with every ounce of my being. I suggest you tuck your tail between your legs and go crawl back into the hole you came out of. No one wants you here. And another thing, lady, you’re not fooling anyone. I can see right through you. You’re trying to use Charlie to get money out of Mason.”
She jerked her head up.
“Pathetic,” I said. “What happened, did Nick finally cut you off, now that he has a new girlfriend? Well, you’re not going to get a dime from Mason. Not one single cent. So stop trying to fuck with the life of a little boy for your own selfish greed.”
“You tell her, Palmer!” I heard a female voice say to my left.
Ashley’s mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes darted over to Charlie, and I stepped to the side to block her view. “I don’t think you want to test me to see how far I’ll go to protect that little boy,” I said.