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I rolled up into her driveway and slammed my truck door, making sure to take my time in the front yard, looking around, hoping to be seen by anyone who cared to see me. I checked the mail, pulled a few weeds from her small flower bed, coiled up her errant hose, and waved at a couple of cars as they passed by.
When it was all quiet on the street, I hustled around to the side gate and let myself into her backyard, keeping my eyes open. I’d already looked her house over, but I did it again without her there to distract me with her sweet scent and big amber eyes. My plan solidified in my mind as I bent to retrieve the key from under the mat.
I let myself in and steeled myself against the gut punch that I knew would come when I inhaled. The place did smell of her, but also of the remnants of a syrupy breakfast. Elizabeth’s high chair sat askew next to the dining room table, a bib hanging over the side, a few errant Cheerios left on the tray as if she was saving those for next time.
I moved farther into the living room with its bright windows, heading toward the front door so I could go grab my stuff from the truck. I stopped short at the wall of family photos. I’d seen it the first time I was there, but I hadn’t taken the time to study them. I had other things to focus on.
I took the time now.
There were a couple of full family portraits of Olivia with her parents and siblings, one older, one more recent that included Elizabeth as well as Camden’s wife. There were what looked to be professional shots of her dancing in a ballet stage production, full makeup and a sleek bun. There were a few of just her and her brothers, one of her brother in his Air Force blues, one of Camden in his NFL jersey, some other family members I didn’t recognize, a couple of her grinning with her girlfriends in different fun spots, and about a dozen of Elizabeth.
No men other than family. Nothing whatsoever to acknowledge Elizabeth’s father was ever a part of her life in any significant way. I knew I’d have to talk to her about that again soon and find out what had put that fear in her eyes. But today I could focus on making her home a safe place.
I went out the front door and unloaded my truck, making sure to take my time again so folks would see a man around the property. Then I got to work.
I was maybe an hour into setting up her new security system when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Distracted, I finagled the screwdriver to my other hand and hit accept without looking at the screen.
“Ashford,” I mumbled, still focused on the task at hand.
“Justin?”
Shit. I sighed, internally kicking myself for not checking the caller ID. I set down my tools to run a hand over my head. “Hey, Tricia.”
“You’ve been ignoring my calls.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Her breath moved over the line as she composed herself and lowered her voice. “How’ve you been?”
Nope. Wasn’t doing this today. Not with her. Not with anybody. “What do you want, Tricia? The last time I saw you was at the divorce hearing, so why are you blowing up my phone today?”
“That’s not fair... you know it’s not like that.”
“No? What’s it like, then?”
“I care about you. You know I do. It was just...” She sniffed. “It was too hard. I was all alone and you—”
“Hard for who?” I said, my voice low and deadly as I cut her off. It was all I could do to contain the rage. Now, here she was, turning up the fire to get it simmering again.
She was full-on crying now, and as angry as I was, a part of me still hated to hear her tears. Still, I wasn’t about to be used again.
“Why are you calling, Tricia?” I was more than ready to get this call over with and get back to work.
“Keith wants a divorce.”
That stopped me cold. I glanced up at the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. I strode over and pulled back the curtains to find Olivia stepping out of the driver’s door and moving to open the back, a wiggling and smiling Elizabeth looking up at her adoringly.
“Justin?” Tricia said. “Did you hear me?”
“Yeah.” I drew back and paced away from the window. “I’m just not sure why you’d call me about that.”
A long beat of silence filled the line as I pictured her splotchy cheeks and big green eyes full of tears. “He’s leaving because he says...” She sucked in a loud breath. “He thinks I’m still in love with you.”
Olivia’s key hit the front door lock.
“Well, we both know that’s not true,” I bit out. “I’ve gotta go.” I did not bother with a goodbye. I ended the call and pocketed my phone, swinging around just as the door opened.
Olivia looked at me as if she’d never seen a man in her house before, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
