by Natalie Ann
“Right. Like you did the day you beat her.”
He growled but refrained from saying a word. Keeping his temper in check was more important than defending himself against Kari’s ridiculous accusations, especially with his daughter in his arms.
Eileen pulled back the screen, and a policeman stepped into the room, making this situation very real.
It hit Alston like a ton of bricks that the moment his daughter entered the ER, they knew something wasn’t right.
And that Kari might be the root cause.
The question scratching the back of his mind was did Jackie know and for how long? His heart sank the moment he locked gazes with her because in that instant, he knew she’d suspected Kari had been doing this for a while and she didn’t tell him.
He made his way to the rocking chair and sat down. He didn’t want to deal with anyone in the room, except Coralie. He rested his head against hers and closed his eyes, inhaling her sweet baby scent. “Daddy’s here and he’s never going to leave you again.” He kissed her temple.
A warm hand pressed against his shoulder.
He blinked open his eyes. The room was empty other than Jackie.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she said.
“I can stay here with my daughter, unsupervised?”
Jackie smiled. “Technically, you’re still being watched since there are nurses and doctors in and out, but yes. And don’t worry. She’s going to be fine. They are flushing the toxins from her system. While this can be a serious poison, we caught it early enough before any real damage was done.”
He couldn’t believe Kari was poisoning her own kid. “Are they going to arrest her?”
“As long as we can find the source, yes.”
He sucked in a sharp breath. That isn’t what he expected, nor what he wanted. “She’s sick and needs help.”
“It’s called Munchausen by proxy. It is a mental illness, but what she did is criminal,” Jackie said. “I’ve been in contact with Carol. Once the source is found, the paperwork will be filed for you to have full guardianship of Coralie and then sole custody. I know you’re not ready, but when they discharge her, probably tomorrow or the next day, she’s going home with you. For good.”
Tears burned the corners of his eyes. He wanted his little girl in his life, but not this way. How would he explain all this to her when she was older? The entire thing was horrifying. But he’d deal with it because she was his world. He cleared his throat. “When did you know?”
“That Kari was giving Coralie too much salt?”
He nodded as he held his daughter tighter.
“I didn’t know until the tox screen came back, but I knew she was giving her something this morning, and I suspected yesterday that Kari was abusing her. Actually, things bothered me a couple of weeks ago.”
“And yet, you let my daughter stay with her.”
Jackie’s mouth slacked open. “I didn’t have a choice. I had to use the system as it’s set up; otherwise, you could have lost her.”
“Could she have died from an overdose of salt?”
Jackie’s silence was enough of an answer.
“You should have told me.”
“I couldn’t tell you. It would have been unprofessional of me and—”
“But screwing me is okay?” The moment the word vomit flew from his mouth, he realized his mistake.
Damn fucking temper had a way of showing up in the form a sharp tongue. He knew he shouldn’t have said that, but it was too late. The words and the hurt were already out there.
“I didn’t tell you because I needed to be certain, and I needed to have things in place.”
“You always said you had Coralie’s best interest at heart, yet here she is in the hospital with an IV in her little arm after being poisoned by her mother, and you could have prevented it.” He pointed to the hallway. “Go. Aren’t you supposed to be leaving with the cop and Kari to find the source?”
“I’m meeting them there so I can come back here and be with you and Coralie.”
“Don’t bother coming back. You betrayed me and my child. I don’t think I want to ever see you again.”
Chapter Eight
Three Weeks Later…
Jackie poured herself a big-ass glass of wine and made herself comfortable on her chaise lounge chair and stared at Alston’s home. He’d moved in two days ago, and in that time, she’d gotten a few glimpses of him and Coralie as they played in the sandbox or ran around in the backyard.
Coralie seemed to have bounced back from her salt poisoning and had settled into her new life with her father.
Kari, on the other hand, was under suicide watch at the women’s prison.
Jackie truly felt bad for Kari and hoped she got the help she needed while she served out her debt to society.
Since that day at the hospital, she’d seen Alston only at court, and he kept a safe distance. She could understand his frustration and anger, but it pissed her off that he wouldn’t return a single text or phone call and let her explain now that everything was over and he had full custody of his beautiful little girl.
The upstairs light in Alston’s house clicked off. A minute later, the back porch light brightened up his backyard. He appeared in the sliding glass doors wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and bare feet, holding a bottle of red wine, two glasses, and a baby monitor.
She stiffened her spine, looking for someone else in the house. Could he be dating already? Her heart took a dive to her stomach, rolling around and beating erratically. She had no right to be jealous. She had no claim on him. They had one night.
That was it.
He waved before reaching over the fence and stepping into her yard. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi yourself.” What a lame response.
“I didn’t see that you had a glass.” He waved his bottle toward the other chair. “Do you mind if I sit so we can talk?”
“Not at all.” Crap. Why didn’t she just say bug off? He’d treated her poorly. Even Anna had agreed on that point. While it sucked that Coralie suffered once again, Jackie’s hands were tied, and if she hadn’t done things exactly the way she had, they could still be fighting to get Coralie away from her mother. The system worked, but it wasn’t perfect. She knew that better than anyone.
“Would you like some more wine?” He set up the video and audio monitor on the table between the two of them.
God, she missed Coralie. That girl had stolen her heart.
So had her father, but Jackie would find a way to get over him. She was a survivor, and she’d come out on top.
She always did.
“I’d love some.” She held out her glass. “Are you all settled?”
“Pretty much,” he said. “My entire family will be descending upon me in a couple of days, starting with my parents. My mom has been sending so much stuff I’ve run out of room to put things.”
“My mom has totally spoiled my niece. But that’s what grandparents are for.”
“I’ve been sending Kari pictures of Coralie. Do you think that’s a bad idea?”
Fucking wonderful. All he wanted was professional advice.
“No, but I’d have a long talk with any therapist she’s seeing in prison before having any kind of contact with her. She’s got a whole pathology that a regular person just can’t comprehend.”
“I’m learning that.”
She tried not to stare at the sleeping child, but it proved impossible. Coralie was just too stinking cute. “She’s grown,” Jackie said.
“She’s talking a little too. She can ask for a bottle, and I think she’s saying dad, but it sounds like Bada. I can’t tell.”
“That’s cute.”
“She’s cute.”
“That she is,” Jackie said. It bothered her how easily she and Alston fell back into their relaxed, comfortable conversation, as if they were old-time friends or lovers.
Or both.
Only, they were really neither.
; And he’d made that clear.
He lifted his glass and swirled the red liquid. “I owe you an apology.”
She gasped. Not what she expected. “Okay.”
“I struggled with the idea that you couldn’t just take Coralie away from Kari on a suspicion.”
“If I could have, I would have.”
“I know that,” he said. “And not just for me. You would have done it for any child who was in danger.”
“I’m glad you can see that.” She wanted to tell him to finish the apology and then to get the fuck out, only because it was killing her to be this close. In a few short weeks, she’d not only fallen in love with his kid, but with him as well.
Sigh. She’d get over it, eventually.
“I had to follow the rules, but I acted quickly. As soon as I had enough information, thanks to your PI, I didn’t hesitate.”
“Because I was in the dark and didn’t possess the same knowledge, when it all came out in that hospital room, I didn’t know who take my anger out on.”
“No offense, but Kari was the logical person.”
He chuckled. “Well, duh. But, in that moment, in my mind, you could have prevented Coralie from suffering that one last time.”
She dropped her head back and closed her eyes. “Your daughter isn’t the first child that I’ve had to step back and wait until I have enough to take to the judge and ask for a specific action. It breaks my heart. Some days my job sucks. Other days it’s the best thing in the world, like the day the judge gave you full custody, but please understand if I had done it any other way, you might not be in that house tonight with Coralie.” Jackie rolled her head and opened her eyes, catching his intense gaze.
“I’ve been an asshole these last couple of weeks.” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry, Jackie. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me, because I’ve fallen in love with you, and I don’t want to spend another day without you in my life.”
She gasped. “You what?”
“Why do you pretend you’re deaf? You heard me.” He reached under her chair and pulled her closer. “I know it’s fast, and you probably don’t love me, but give me a chance. I might surprise you.”
“Oh, you surprise me, all right.” Her stomach filled with butterflies, and her heart swelled with the promise of the future she’d always wanted. She moved from her chair to his, straddling his legs. “I did what I did because I love Coralie, and I love her father.”
“You what? I didn’t hear that. Could you say it again?”
She laughed. “Color me smart, I love you.”
The End
A Word From the Author
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Color Me Smart. I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave an HONEST review on Amazon, Bookbub, and/or Goodreads!
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Other Books by Jen Talty
BRAND NEW SERIES!
The Monroes
COLOR ME YOURS
COLOR ME SMART
It’s all in the Whiskey
JOHNNIE WALKER
GEORGIA MOON
JACK DANIELS
JIM BEAM
Search and Rescue
PROTECTING AINSLEY
PROTECTING CLOVER
NY State Trooper Series
IN TWO WEEKS
DARK WATER
DEADLY SECRETS
MURDER IN PARADISE BAY
TO PROTECT HIS OWN
DEADLY SEDUCTION
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
NY State Trooper Novella
HIS DEADLY PAST
Brand New Novella for the First Responders series
A spin off from the NY State Troopers series
PLAYING WITH FIRE
PRIVATE CONVERSATION
The Men of Thief Lake
REKINDLED
DESTINY’S DREAM
Federal Investigators
JANE DOE’S RETURN
THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS
The Aegis Network
THE LIGHTHOUSE
HER LAST HOPE
THE LAST FLIGHT
THE RETURN HOME
THE MATRIARCH
The Collective Order
THE LOST SISTER
THE LOST SOLDIER
THE LOST SOUL
Coming soon!
THE LOST CONNECTION
Special Forces Operation Alpha
BURNING DESIRE
BURNING KISS
BURNING SKIES
BURNING LIES
BURNING HEART
BURNING BED
REMEMBER ME ALWAYS
The Brotherhood Protectors
Out of the Wild
ROUGH JUSTICE
ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES
ROUGH RIDE
ROUGH EDGE
ROUGH BEAUTY
The Brotherhood Protectors
The Saving Series
SAVING LOVE
A Family Affair
Nightshade
A Christmas Getaway
Taking A Risk
Tee Time
The Twilight Crossing Series
THE BLIND DATE
SPRING FLING
SUMMER’S GONE
WINTER WEDDING
Witches and Werewolves
LADY SASS
ALL THAT SASS
Coming soon!
NEON SASS
PAINTING SASS
Boxsets
LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES
UNFORGETABLE PASSION
UNFORGETABLE CHARMERS
A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER
SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW
SWEET AND SASSY PRINCE CHARMING
PROTECT AND DESIRE
SWEET AND SASSY BABY LOVE
CHRISTMAS AT MISTLETOE LODGE
THE PLAYERS: OVERCOMING THE ODDS
CHRISTMAS SHORTS
CHRISTMAS DREAMS
All That Glitters
INVINCIBLE SECRETS
UNFORGETABLE SUSPENSE
Novellas
NIGHTSHADE
A CHRISTMAS GETAWAY
TAKING A RISK
WHISPERS
About the author
Welcome to my World! I'm a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.
I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
I'm currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.
Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6atcf7g1be) where I often give away free books before publication.
Join my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/) where I post exclusive excerpts and discuss all things murder and love!
Never miss a new release. Follow me on Amazon:amazon.com/author/jentalty
And on Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty
SUNSET BEACH
Sunset Beach
Blue Haven, Book 2
Jacquie Biggar
USA Today Bestselling Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Jacquie Biggar
All rights reserved.
Book Description
An explosive secret threatens the peace and tranquility of Sweetheart Cove
Single father Trace Michaels has his hands full coping with a rebellious teenage daughter, troublesome ex-wife, and campaigning for the mayor's election. He doesn't have time to get distracted by an old flame from his past-- one he's never forgotten.
When an unknown source leaks surprising news that could damage his career, Trace turns to the one person he trusts for the truth.
Single mother Mona Samuels knows how difficult it can be to raise a daughter. She empathizes with Trace, but when he comes to her for advice, she's conflicted. They say the truth will set you free but unburying the past could destroy everything she's worked so hard to build.
Praise and Awards
USA Today Bestselling Author
2015 JABBIC Winner
The Player by Jacquie Biggar
“I’ve read work by Jacquie Biggar before and I love her writing style, I am easily transported into her story and the lives of her characters. This story definitely had me laughing my way through it! The banter between Roy and Patience certainly kept me entertained from beginning to end; they definitely knew how to rub each other up the wrong way!!”~ Katie Matthews
“Jacquie Biggar’s story the Player took the cherry! I love sports stories (especially hockey ones) and Jacquie gives us Roy who gets sidelined from NHL thanks to his stalker ex so he ends up needing some little help from a PA Patience … so you can imagine the good laughs and antics and aww moments she mixed up for us and to be frank, I think the story would have deserved to be longer! I for sure will keep my eyes open for more by Jacquie!” ~ Jana T.
