“At first, Margot did exactly as I thought she would. She made one excuse after the other to keep me from seeing River. She wouldn’t answer the phone, wouldn’t answer the door, stayed away from home so I couldn’t find them. That only served to piss me off and her plan backfired on her. By preventing me from taking River home with me, that meant she was a round-the-clock babysitter. No breaks. No breathing room. No downtime. Being a single mom was harder than she thought, and she wasn’t cut out for it.
“I was concerned for River’s safety because Margot became even more unpredictable. Honestly, I didn’t know what she was capable of doing, and I just wanted to get my daughter away from her. Mom knew what was happening—there are so many eyes and ears in this small town—and she decided to take action on her own. She worked her magic, took Margot to court, and proved that she was an unfit mother. River was taken away from Margot and brought to me.
“Not that I didn’t appreciate it, but it was all done behind my back. Mom never said a word to me about it first. She didn’t consider how it would impact River, me, or Margot. She just elbowed her way in, took over, and made all the decisions that impacted my daughter’s life and my own life. We had a heated argument, and I ended it by telling her to stay out of my life for good. She moved to New York to work with a prestigious law firm but stayed in touch with Lily.”
“Did you really not want her in your life anymore?” I ask.
“At first, I said it out of anger. But when she moved away, River lost her grandmother and that fueled my anger all over again. Margot had already skipped town—but not before blaming me for why she was leaving. Guilt ate me alive. Apparently, I was a selfish bastard who just wanted his daughter all to himself. River didn’t have a mother or grandparents. Margot’s parents retired to Florida. My mother moved up north. So I closed my heart to everyone except River and Lily. Until you.”
“I’m surprised you gave me a chance, but I’m so thankful you did. And I’m glad you told me what happened. It helps me understand how all the pieces fit together a little better. What I don’t understand is why Marcia never told me about you. She could’ve told me when she offered me the cabin for a few months or during one of our weekly check-in calls. She wouldn’t have had to go into any details. Just a ‘Hey, my son lives next door’ would’ve sufficed,” I reply.
“Another way she manipulates and controls others. Withholding information. You’ve had weekly calls with her the whole time you’ve been here?”
“Mostly. We’ve missed a few weeks here and there. Like this week, obviously.”
“Have you told her about us dating?”
“Yes. Not intimate details, but enough information that there’s no doubt she knew it was you.”
“Lily would’ve told her, too. I’m sure Martha and Ralph called her before the wedding even started.”
“Why would they tell her?”
“They’re my aunt and uncle. Martha is my mom’s sister.”
“Oh my God. How did I not know that? Do I know you at all?”
“Of course you know me. I’m your husband. What more do you need to know than that?” He nuzzles his face into my neck, his lips press against my skin, his tongue tastes me. He turns me over on my back and uses his mouth to explore the rest of my body. I forget all about what we were talking about when I get lost in my husband, in his touch, in his love.
* * *
Ace and River are in the kitchen when I emerge from the shower. Ace is cooking breakfast and River is at the table drawing a picture. She looks up and smiles brightly at me. “Hi, Laynie.”
“Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”
“Yep. Like a rock,” she replies.
I can’t help but laugh. “A walking rock. Do you remember climbing in my lap while it was still dark outside this morning?”
She giggles but eyes me suspiciously, like she’s not sure if I’m teasing her or not. “No. I didn’t do that.”
“Yes, you sure did. Your daddy had to carry you back to bed.” I lovingly tousle her hair and walk over to Ace. The smell of bacon frying has my stomach doing somersaults—and not in a good way.
“Hungry?” His tone is casual, but his eyes give him away. He’s testing me.
“I’ll just take some toast to go. I need to go into town and take care of something.”
“Something? What is ‘something,’ Layne?”
“I’ll tell you all about it when I get back, if it turns out to be important.” I quickly kiss him before he can reply, grab some toast, and give River a kiss on my way out.
Something about Ace’s story kept nagging at me while I was getting dressed. When another conversation popped up in my mind, I decided a trip into town was necessary. As soon as possible, before Marcia comes over this afternoon. I just hope my gut instincts are right so I don’t end up making a fool out of myself.
When I reach Magnolia Way, my nerves kick up a notch or ten. The only house on the street is a magnificent, red-brick mansion. The lawn is perfectly manicured. The flower beds are beautifully kept with flowering shrubs, blooming annuals, and mounds of fresh mulch. The front door opens as I’m walking up the sidewalk and Louise steps out onto the porch.