Follow Your Bliss (Bliss Series Book 2)

by Marji Spicer

  “As a matter of fact, I do have one,” she smiled.

  Denver smiled back. “But then I’d be stuck with you forever. I’m not one for the heat. I’ll leave hell for you, sweetheart. You’re the cold one. You can handle it.”

  Pearl decided to intervene before things got more heated. “What can I get you, honey?” she asked.

  “I’ll take a hot fudge sundae.”

  “Is that for you or the baby?” he asked.

  She turned to him. “It’s for my big fat ass. Do you have a problem with that?”

  Damn, she was touchy. Joy seemed to despise him now more than ever. What had he done to get so much hate from her? He’s the one that had the right to be angry.

  Denver watched her eat the sundae. She was enjoying it. The sounds coming out of her mouth sounded like she was going to have an orgasm soon.

  “Sounds like you need to get laid.”

  “What’s the matter? Have you been in town too long? Is your dick getting lonely?”

  “My dick hasn’t been anywhere but inside you, and it’s been months, so yeah—it’s getting lonely.”

  “Too bad you’re not into fat women. You have no problem fattening them up, though, do you?”

  What in the hell is she talking about?

  Joy went home, changed into her pajamas, and crawled into bed. “I’m sorry,” she said as she rubbed her belly. “I ruined it for you too. He would have been a great daddy to you. But he hates me too much to accept you.” She cried herself to sleep.

  An hour later, Joy woke up. She’d come to a decision. She called Krista. Mark answered and handed the phone to Krista. “I’m putting my house up for sale.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not strong enough to go through this anymore. Why should I stay here? Denver knows everything now. He wants nothing to do with his baby,” she said.

  “I want you to stay, but I understand. I went through the same situation. I’m shocked that Denver doesn’t want anything to do with his baby,” Krista said.

  “He hasn’t even acknowledged the fact he’s going to be a dad. He doesn’t care. I can’t watch him date Susan. They might get married someday. At least if I’m not here, I won’t see it,” Joy said. “What if our baby looks like him? If he has other kids later, they will go to the same school. I love it here, but I have to move.”

  “I’m going to miss you, but I understand. I know how hard it is,” Krista said.

  “I’m going to miss everyone here so much, but I have to do this. I can’t move on while I’m living here. I’m calling the realtor today. I’m going to stay with Emma for a while. I’ll look at some houses while I’m there. Can you keep an eye on my place and water my plants?”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “The realtor will probably stop by and put up a sign.”

  “Ok.”

  “I hope it sells fast so I can get settled in somewhere else before the baby is born,” she said. “I’ll come to visit you. I need to be a little stronger.”

  “I’m having a hard time understanding Denver,” Krista said. “This is not like him at all.”

  “Yeah, I’m shocked myself, to be honest,” Joy said. “I’ve got to move on, though. I’ll call you before I leave.”

  Krista hung up the phone.

  “What’s going on?” Mark asked.

  “Joy’s moving now. She said Denver and Susan are together. He doesn’t want anything to do with the baby. She doesn’t think she’s strong enough to deal with it all.”

  “Denver isn’t involved with Susan. They’re just friends. He loves Joy.”

  “He has a weird way of showing it,” she said. “I’m kind of shocked about it all. Joy’s calling her realtor now to put her house up for sale. Then she’s going to visit her friend Emma for a while.”

  Chapter Fifty Five

  The next day, Joy made arrangements with the realtor to put her house up for sale. She packed her bags, called Krista, and left for Emma’s.

  Joy lay awake in Emma’s spare bedroom. She wondered if Susan had moved into Denver’s yet. She missed her home. She looked at houses with Emma, but until hers sold, she couldn’t afford one. Joy cried herself to sleep at night.

  In the morning, she tried to put on a happy face, but Emma knew she was miserable. At least now, she didn’t have to worry about running into Denver or Susan.

  A couple of times she almost called Denver to see if he’d changed his mind about the baby. She couldn’t do it. He wasn’t going to claim his kid anyway, especially if he was in a new relationship. At least now she could say she’d accomplished every goal she’d set.

  Denver took a beer out of the fridge as soon as they got back to his apartment. It was early, but he needed a drink, especially with Susan being around. The woman never shut up. He wasn’t paying attention to what she was talking about anyway. He kept thinking about Joy and her rounded belly. He wanted Susan to go home, but he didn’t know how to tell her to leave.

  Susan knew he was thinking about Joy. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said. Denver finished his beer. “I didn’t think she’d go through with it, though.” Now he’d have to see her raising some stranger’s baby. Why couldn’t she have had his baby? “I need some time alone.”

  “Are you kicking me out?” she laughed. Denver winced. “It’s ok; I need to get back to my son. I miss him.” Susan leaned towards him, but he took a step back. Damn, he had been right about her. She just tried to kiss him.

  “I’m not over her yet.”

  “I know you still love her, but she’s moved on,” she said. “Joy could have had a life with you, but she chose a stranger and being alone instead. Just remember that.”

  “I know,” he said.

  As soon as Susan left, he grabbed another beer. He was going to turn into a drunk. That was the only way he would be able to handle seeing Joy. When he woke up the next morning, her car was gone. There was a for sale sign in her yard.

  Susan called him later. “How are you doing?”

  “I miss her.”

  “You deserve so much more. Just remember Joy didn’t think you were good enough to be the father of her baby. She had her fun and then picked a stranger over you. I think deep down; she must be a very unfeeling woman,” she said. “My son lost a loving father. She’s not even giving her baby a chance to have one. That’s cruel. Be strong. You’ll get past this.”

  “She’s moving,” he said.

  Susan had a hard time keeping the excitement out of her voice. “I’m sorry, but that might be for the best.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Out of sight, out of mind.”

  Chapter Fifty Six

  Joy and Emma went out for dinner that night.

  “If you could have anything happen, what would it be?” Emma asked.

  “Anything? I’d marry Denver, and we’d raise our baby together at my house. Maybe we’d even have more kids. That’s not going to happen though, so there’s no sense in thinking about it,” she said. “My dream was to be a single mother, and that wish came true. So even though in the end it’s not what I want—it’s what I got. I’ll have to live with it.”

  “Something just doesn’t add up,” Emma said.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, for one thing, Denver joked around about getting you pregnant. Then he asks you to marry him. So, it’s odd that when he found out you were pregnant, he decides he wants nothing to do with the baby. It would make more sense if he were happy about it. That would give you more incentive to marry him. I mean, your lives would be intertwined this way.”

  “Maybe he just likes Susan more.”

  “How much do you know about this woman?”

  “Well, they’ve been friends for years. Her husband and Denver were friends and worked together. He passed away from cancer three years ago. Denver helped her out. They might have bonded and grown closer over the experience.”

  Joy looked at her empty plate. “I nee
d to stop eating so much. I’m going to be as big as a house soon.”

  “You’re eating for two. Enjoy it. Now, what’s for dessert?” Emma asked.

  Emma thought it might be a good idea to take a trip to Bliss to check this woman out. There was something very wrong with this picture. Joy was too emotional to see it. She was hurt. And when she was hurt, she tended to push people away. Emma had a feeling this Susan woman was playing both Joy and Denver.

  Susan entered the diner and saw Krista and Melanie sitting at a table. She walked towards them and took a seat at their table. “How are you both doing today?”

  “Fine, how about you?” Krista asked.

  “I’m kind of bored,” she laughed. “There’s nothing to do at Denver’s while I wait for him to come home. I figured I’d get some iced tea and visit with Pearl. I’m glad you’re both here to hang out with.”

  Melanie glanced at Krista. They hadn’t invited her to sit with them, and they certainly didn’t want to hang out with her. Joy would be hurt if she saw them sitting with Susan. Luckily, there wasn’t a chance of her coming in. She was visiting her friend Emma for a couple of weeks.

  “How long have you known Denver?” Krista asked.

  “Oh, for years now.”

  “How did you meet?” Melanie asked.

  “My husband John used to work for Denver. He passed away three years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” they both said.

  “Thank you. Denver was there for us after his passing. He promised John he would look after us.”

  “Who is us?” Melanie asked.

  “My son and I. Tyler was just a baby when I lost John. Denver was so sweet. He would come to watch the baby so that I could sleep.”

  Krista and Melanie both thought the same thing. What an asshole! Joy was going to have a lot of sleepless nights, and Denver wasn’t going to be there so that she could sleep.

  “I thought Denver didn’t want kids,” Melanie said. “It sounds like he does if he was willing to watch an infant. Most men don’t want to watch a baby.”

  Susan realized she had slipped up. “Well, if he wants them, he must be lying to me. He specifically told me he didn’t want any of his own. Maybe he meant right now. Who knows in a few years he might change his mind? I couldn’t have done it without him. I moved back home to be closer to my family after John died. I’m thinking of moving here if things go as planned.”

  Melanie was beginning to catch on to the fact that Susan had plans for Denver. She wanted him for herself. Thankfully Joy didn’t have to hear that Denver had watched Susan’s son for her. It would hurt her knowing he would take care of someone else’s kid but not his own.

  Krista wondered if John had meant for Denver to take care of Susan’s personal needs. She had a good idea, that’s what Susan was after. Poor Joy. Denver should be taking care of her. Krista still couldn’t believe how much of an ass Denver was about the whole situation. If she didn’t see it for herself, she wouldn’t believe how unfeeling and cold he acted. Denver was good with Maddie. She thought he would make a great father. Maybe she had been wrong.

  Krista and Melanie were both onto Susan now.

  “I’ve always wanted more kids, but it would be an oops if it happened,” Susan laughed.

  Uh oh, Krista thought. Denver might find himself in some major trouble if he was sleeping with Susan. She had a feeling Susan was trying and get pregnant to hold onto Denver. But why would it work for her? It was obvious Denver was still madly in love with Joy, and he wasn’t willing to claim their baby. Krista and Melanie looked at each other. They had to do something fast, or Denver might end up with another baby on the way.

  Susan’s phone rang. “I’ll be right back. I need to take this call. I’m going to take it outside where it’s quieter.”

  They watched as Susan walked outside. It was an off-hour at the diner, and only a few other people were there. It wasn’t loud inside at all.

  Eunice wandered over to their table. “She’s a sly one, isn’t she? But I’m on to her.”

  “We are now too,” Krista said.

  “She’s after Denver,” Melanie said.

  They looked at each other and nodded their heads.

  “She’s after him. It’s as plain as the nose on my face. I bet she’s feeding them both lies to keep them apart. A page right out of Naomi’s book,” Eunice said.

  “I think Susan is trying to keep them apart, so they don’t catch onto her lies. We need to get Joy and Denver together to talk.

  “Where’s Pearl?” Melanie asked.

  “She went outside to take a cigarette break. I’ve been trying to get her to quit for years. We’ll brainstorm when she gets back,” Eunice said.

  Pearl was putting out her cigarette when she heard Susan’s voice.

  “Be a little more patient. I’m trying my best.”

  Pearl should go back into the diner. The phone call was private because Susan took it outside. Instead, she lit another cigarette. She didn’t trust Susan, and well, knowledge was power. And, what better way to gain power then to eavesdrop?

  “There’s another woman in the picture, but they broke up,” she said. “Don’t worry; I’ll get him to marry me.”

  I knew it. The little schemer is after Denver.

  “There’s a little problem, though. The woman is pregnant. I’ve managed to keep them apart, and anyway he thinks she went to a sperm bank,” she said. “No, it’s not weird because she planned on doing that. So, he believes it. Our problems are going to be over soon. He’s loaded now. I need to stay here a little longer. I’m going to ask him if I can stay at his place. It won’t be long, and I’ll have him in bed. He’s a man, after all,” she laughed. “He’ll cave soon. I’m going to have to spend a little money. I’m going to go buy some sexy underwear to tempt him tonight.”

  What a two-faced little liar. Wait until the girls and Eunice heard about this. This snake is worse than Naomi.

  “If I could get pregnant I would but thanks to the hysterectomy that option’s out. Don’t worry; we’ll be a married couple before the end of the summer,” she said. “Trust me; there’s no competition. I’m far more attractive. I win hands down. Start looking for a bigger house. We’re about to hit it big time. Give Tyler my love. I’ll see you next weekend.”

  Susan turned off her phone, smiled, and headed back into the diner. She never saw the older woman crush out her third cigarette.

  Pearl had a nicotine buzz and a pissed-off attitude. Time to spring into action and save the day. Denver was going to marry Joy and take care of his baby. Susan would have to slither out of town like Naomi had.

  Susan stood by their table, saying goodbye when Pearl entered the diner.

  “Sorry, I have to run. I decided I’m going to do a little shopping. It was nice chatting with you both. Tell Joy I said hi when she gets back, and I’m sorry I missed her.”

  “Bullshit,” Pearl said as Susan left the diner.

  “Eunice grab a seat,” she said. Pearl sat down with Krista and Melanie. “We’ve got to distract Denver. Susan is going to buy underwear.”

  “What?” they asked in unison.

  “She’s going to buy sexy underwear to try to seduce Denver tonight. At least she can’t get pregnant.”

  “How do you know that?” Krista asked.

  “She’s had a hysterectomy.”

  “How on earth do you know that?” Eunice asked.

  “I have my ways. Now, are you girls going to help me keep her out of Denver’s bed or not?”

  “I’m in,” Krista said.

  “Me too,” Melanie agreed.

  “Count me in,” Eunice said. “I was right. I know a snake when I see one. Now, what are we going to do?”

  “We need to get Joy back in town fast. Denver doesn’t even know she’s having his baby. Susan told him she went to a sperm bank, and well, they haven’t exactly been on friendly terms. I’m betting that she told Joy that Denver doesn’t want anything to do with his b
aby. You know Joy. She’s stubborn. If she believes Susan, she’ll never mention anything to Denver about his responsibilities. She was hell-bent on doing this all alone, to begin with,” Pearl said.

  “We have to tell Denver the truth,” Krista said.

  “He’s working right now,” Melanie said. “Susan said she was waiting for him to get out of work.”

  “We have to catch him first,” Krista said. “I know, I’ll have Mark call him and meet him for a beer tonight. I’ll fill him in on what’s going on.”

  “Then all hell will break loose,” Pearl said.

  “Why is that?” Melanie asked. The three women looked at her oddly. “Oh, I get it,” she said. “When he finds out he’s going to be a daddy.”

  Chapter Fifty Seven

  Denver’s phone rang while he was on his way home. Please don’t be Susan.

  “What’s up?” he answered. “Sure, a beer sounds great. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

  Denver wondered if he’d run into Joy. He still missed her like crazy. He couldn’t seem to get over her. He pulled into the bar and parked next to Mark’s truck. Denver walked into the bar and looked around. Joy wasn’t there. Mark waved him over to the bar.

  Denver sat down and ordered a beer. “So, what’s new?”

  “Joy put her house up for sale.”

  “I know,” he said. “I saw the sign.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you that she’s moving?”

  Denver shrugged. “I can’t make her stay. Anyway, maybe it’s for the best that she is leaving.”

  Mark shook his head. “I can’t believe you said that.”

  Denver took a long drink of his beer before speaking. “I still love her, but do you think I want to see her raising a kid. Hell, she’ll start dating after the baby’s born. I don’t think I can handle seeing her with another man. We could have gotten married and then had kids.”

  “So, she got pregnant first. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal. It’s not like that doesn’t happen all the time.”

  Denver scowled at him. “Who the hell even knows who the father is? I mean that stuffs supposed to be kept confidential, but what if the dad finds out and tracks her down? Once he sees her, he’ll want her too,” he said. “I’m not dealing with that bullshit. Just the thought of it makes me glad she’s going to move.”