Page 44 of Tethered

“You’re beautiful, Jackie. You always were. I know for a fact you’d have a dozen suitors if you put yourself out there.”

She presses her hand to her throat, her voice dropping as she leans forward. “I got it so wrong before, I’m not sure I can trust my judgment.”

“Getting it wrong just means you learned valuable lessons. Now you won’t settle for anything but the best. But there is nothing wrong with having fun along the way. After all, how will you know which one to buy if you don’t try a few out first?”

She gasps and laughs again. It’s loud and filled with joy, and it helps another restless part of me settle into place. She grabs the package and pulls it to her chest. “Well, this will help. Your creations always did contain a little magic.” She winks. She doesn’t confirm or deny anything, but I have a feeling she knows exactly what I am. I have to question if it’s an open secret around these parts.

And then I get it—the animosity toward me. People knew about me. Maybe not me specifically, but my ancestors. And people fear what they don’t know. Holy crap, I’m so dumb not to put that together before.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I think I just had some kind of epiphany.”

She gives me a small smile. “I think you’ll end up with a few more of those before you truly settle. This town is full of secrets and revelations, and unfortunately, you’re at the heart of it. Know this, though—hearts change, just like opinions. People grow and shed the former image of themselves. None of us dies as the same person we were born. We learn, we grow, and we adapt. The best of us seeks forgiveness and redemption.”

“And the rest?” I think of my father.

“They get what’s coming to them. Karma never forgets. It has a way of circling back and tipping the scales when most people have forgotten to be wary. Now…” She gets to her feet as I finish off my lemonade. “You have a handsome man waiting for you outside. You don’t need to be wasting your day in here with me.”

I chuckle and get to my feet, feeling lighter. I have to give Austin and his big head credit, but hand-delivering these things was a really good idea.

“Thank you for the lemonade.”

“Anytime—”

“What the hell is going on here?”

We both turn and find Andrews standing in the kitchen doorway with a face of thunder. And just like that, all the light gets sucked out of the room as Jackie’s shoulders fall.

Chapter Thirteen

“Derek!” Jackie gasps at her son. “What on earth has gotten into you?”

“What’s gotten into me? What the fuck has gotten into you? Why do you have this woman in your house?”

“First of all, watch your mouth. Second, it’s none of your business who I have in my house. If you don’t like the company I keep, you should leave.”

If he could shoot fire from his eyes, I’d be a burning pile of ash.

“Do you know who she is?” he hisses.

Jackie folds her arms over her chest. “Of course, I know who Calliope is. She’s just one of the many people your father failed—arguably failed her the most.”

He splutters, shocked to hear her say that. I’ll admit, I’m really beginning to like this woman.

“She ruined his life, and now she’s ruining mine!” he roars. His anger is so palpable that I take a step in front of Jackie, partially covering her body with mine, a stance neither of them misses.

“You think I’d hurt her?”

“I don’t know you, but the encounters I’ve had make me think you don’t like women much, so it’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

“Derek? What’s she talking about?”

“She killed Dale.”

“Good.”

“Mother!” he yells in shock. I have to stop myself from cackling.