“I’m sorry. Were you scared, or did you miss your daddy?”
She shrugged her little shoulder. “I don’t know.”
I could see the topic was upsetting her and quickly dismissed it. “Okay, well, do you want to play out here a little longer?”
“Yes,” she mumbled.
I went inside, digging through my bare cupboards, trying to find something to feed her. I usually ate at the diner or grabbed something to bring home. We did get a pretty good discount, which kept my grocery bill very low.
I heard my cell phone ringing. It was Rose.
“Hello,” I answered.
“What in the hell?!” Rose’s voice came through the phone.
“You heard?”
“Yeah, I heard. I just got to work and saw you weren’t here. This is bullshit, Jenna. We can’t let them get away with this.”
“They already did. This how they do things.”
“I’m sorry. It isn’t fair.”
“Well, I guess it’s one way to get me back to school.”
“Are you going to take your mom up on the offer? I would hate to see you go, but I know it’s the right thing for you to do.”
I sighed. “I don’t know yet. I’m still thinking about it. I’ll have to think on it later. I’m watching Abby right now.”
“Again?” she asked, surprise in her voice.
“Yes, again. Actually, since I’m not working, I’m going to be watching her while he works. He says he’s going to pay me.”
“That’s weird. I’ve got all kinds of crazy stuff running through my head with that little tidbit of information. You’re the naughty nanny.”
I burst into laughter. “I am not.”
“Are you not sleeping with the little girl’s daddy? And now you are his employee as well? Oh yeah, I’m seeing a fantasy come to life.”
“You are so bad. You have to stop watching late-night television.”
She burst into laughter. “You don’t know what you’re missing out on. Seriously, don’t knock it ‘til you try it!”
“I better get going. Abby is in the backyard.”
“All right. This isn’t over. I’m going to be smashing some heads together, and if those jerks think they are going to come in here and pull that shit with me, I’m going to make them very sorry. I think I may accidentally trip and fall while carrying a pot of hot coffee to our favorite friends.”
“Thank you for your support. Really. I appreciate you a lot. Don’t go getting yourself in trouble though.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll talk to you soon.”
We hung up and I started to feel better. Losing my job may not have been the worst thing to happen. It could be the very thing I needed to get my ass into gear. I’d just been treading water for too long. I needed to make a move forward.
“Are you hungry?” I asked Abby.
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Okay, well, I’m going to see what I can put together so I’ll be ready when you are.”
It ended up being cold sandwiches and a bag of chips. Not the healthiest thing in the world, but it could be worse.
“How about we take a walk? I’ll show you the little park at the end of the street.”
Her eyes lit up. Together, we walked hand in hand to the small park that had all but been forgotten when the much bigger park was put in a couple blocks away. The only toy left in the park was a rusty old swing set. It was still solid though. I put her on it and pushed her back and forth. She was squealing with delight, her little skirt flying in the wind.
We stayed at the park for over an hour, playing tag and exploring the area.
“We should probably head back. Your daddy will be home soon.”
She grabbed my hand, skipping as we walked back to the house. It felt good to have made her so happy. She seemed to be in much better spirits than she had been when she first showed up today. I couldn’t wait for Colton to see the change in her. I knew it was probably something he had done for her a hundred times, but this was my first time getting to be the one to bring happiness into a child’s life.
I had been so worried about dating a man with a kid. They scared me. I’d never really thought about having my own kids. That seemed way down the road. I had never really been around children besides at the restaurant, and I felt completely out of my element. Or at least I thought I did. But being around Abby was easy.
Maybe Colton and I could have a relationship after all. Except, I wasn’t sure that was what he wanted.
Chapter 19
Colton
I held up one dress for Abby to inspect. She was unimpressed. I was already imagining future shopping events and wondering if I could pay Jenna to take Abby clothes shopping. I shook my head. That wasn’t fair. I kept bringing Jenna into Abby’s life, yet wanted to keep the two in different parts of mine. I was failing miserably.
Jenna was an excellent babysitter. Abby was always happy to go with her and seemed to really enjoy herself. I completely trusted her to take care of the most precious thing in my life.
“How about this one?” I asked, holding up an orange sundress with a big yellow flower.
Abby looked horrified. “No! That’s not a princess dress.”
I shook my head. I pitied the man who tried to win my little girl’s heart. He’d better be rich and have a lot of game. Hell, she wasn’t going to settle for anything less than a prince. Abby was going to require a man with style and willing to put up with her rather high-maintenance lifestyle.
She loved to be doted on, but I didn’t think she was spoiled. She was grateful for every little thing she got. She was just opinionated. I wanted her to be able to express what she liked and didn’t like. I would not let my little girl grow up to be one of those people who were steamrolled by everyone.
“Can we go to another store?” Abby asked, her arms folded over her chest as she surveyed the racks.
The shopping was limited in Beatrice. There were only a couple stores that sold children’s clothing. I had a feeling I was going to have to do some online shopping, which I loathed, or take a drive to Lincoln. My little girl was a diva and no ordinary store would do for her.
“There aren’t any more stores, sweetie. Let’s take another look. How about this one?” I pulled a pretty top with a matching skirt from the rack.
She studied it carefully before finally nodding her head in agreement. Hallelujah! I wanted to throw my hands in the air and do a little touchdown dance.
After a couple hours of searching, we did manage to find a new summer wardrobe to fit her growing body. I had been putting it off, not wanting to admit my baby girl was growing up. Keeping her in clothes that were too small wasn’t going to stop the inevitable from happening. Soon enough, she’d be graduating high school. It was all happening in the blink of an eye.
“Okay, my princess, I think we’re ready to go home. I need ice cream after that shopping marathon.”
She grinned, nodding. “Me too. I can’t wait to wear my new clothes!”
I laughed, not fully understanding the thrill, but I was glad I could put that bright smile on her face. As we were walking out of the store located in a small strip mall on the edge of town, I saw them. My day was about to take a turn for the worse.
“Son of a bitch,” I mumbled under my breath.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Abby asked.
The man I knew to be Aaron looked at me and smirked. His two friends were walking out of a shoe store next to the store we had been in. He waved them over. This was why I hated small towns. Everybody was forced to be in the same small space all the damn time.
“Look, boys. It’s our old friend. Colton, right?”
I glared at them, not responding to the use of my name. I figured they would find out who I was eventually. I pushed the button to unlock the doors to my Tahoe and quickly lifted Abby inside. I could hear footsteps and knew they were approaching.
“Stay here, okay?” I told Abby.
She nodded as I slammed her door shut.
“Back off, guys. I’ve told you before, I’m not into violence with my little girl around.”
“Oh, what a good excuse. You just know you’re going to get your ass kicked and that’s what you don’t want your little girl to see.”
I smirked, staring at the other two who had walked up and were now standing a few feet away from me. “You three really need to get lives or jobs. You harass young women and bother guys who are with their kids. You’re scumbags and not worth my time.”
“Scumbags,” the guy I knew as Bryce said, stepping forward, trying to intimidate me once again. I stepped away from my vehicle. “Who you calling a scumbag, buddy?”
“Look, you three think you run this town and that’s great. You go ahead and keep thinking that. Don’t fuck with me when I’m with my kid. For that matter, I don’t want you fucking with Jenna either. Got me?” I glared at each one of them.
They all burst into laughter, clearly feeling emboldened under the very misguided belief there was strength in numbers. I shook my head, hating what I was going to have to do if any of them laid a hand on me.
I stepped back, heading behind my SUV. If something happened, I didn’t want Abby to see it. As expected, one of them shoved me from behind.
Spinning around, I grabbed Bryce by his shirtfront and slammed him against the backend of my rig. “I’m not going to tell you again. I’ve let the three of you get by with your petty shit, but I’m over it. Come at me again and this is all going to end very differently for you. I don’t care if it’s one of you or all three, but you will not fuck with me again. Do I make myself clear?”
Bryce looked properly intimidated. I dropped my hands and stepped away from him, shooting one of my meanest looks at the two men behind me. I walked around, got in the car, and drove away without looking back. I heard a sniffle in the backseat and turned to see Abby wiping away a tear.
“Oh, baby girl, I’m sorry. Did they scare you?”
She nodded.
“How about we stop and get that ice cream before we go home?”
She sniffled again but nodded. “Okay.”
I smiled and pulled into one of the small ice cream shops close to our house. The entire time, I kept my eyes focused on the rearview mirror. I didn’t want them following me home. I knew this wasn’t over. They’d keep coming back for more.
“Chocolate?” I asked her when we got up to the register.
Abby nodded. We sat down at one of the tiny tables inside the restaurant. While she ate, I kept my gaze focused on my truck and the parking lot, looking for the guys to show up. But Abby was able to eat in peace.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. You don’t have to be scared.”
“How come they were mad at you?” she asked.
I smiled. “Sometimes, people get mad at each other for no real good reason.”
“They’re bad guys. I don’t like bad guys.”
I nodded. “Yes, they are, and I don’t like them either.”
I was beginning to reconsider my decision to move out here. A small town may not have been the best choice. It would be much easier to get lost in a big city. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure I could afford to stay off the radar in an expensive city. Shit just didn’t get any easier.
Once we were home and I got Abby settled into her room, each of her new dresses hung up on the tiny little hangers in her closet, I went into the living room to call Kevin. I need to keep myself busy. If I sat in the house, alone and bored, I would be tempted to call Jenna. I couldn’t do that.
I noticed her car was in the driveway, but all the lights were off in the house. She had probably gone out with Rose for another night of dancing. I ignored the jealousy that kept coming up every time I thought about her grinding against another man.
“Hey there!” Kevin answered on the first ring. “I was beginning to think you fell off the face of the earth.”
I chuckled. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easy. How are things going?”
“Nothing,” he answered my unasked question. “Nothing from Axel or his guys and definitely nothing from the police.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“How’s it going there? I talked with that gym guy. He seemed like a good dude.”
“I started working this week. I only have two clients right now, but there are a couple of other people interested in me as their trainer. I don’t know if I’m going to stick around though.”
“What are you talking about? You just got there.”
I filled him in on the men making my life hell.
“You want me to go down there and kick some ass?” he asked.
“No. I got it handled. I just don’t know if living in a small town was the right move. I should have changed my name.”
“You didn’t have time. I can check around and see if I can get you set up with something.”
I thought about it. “Actually, that’s a good idea. See what it would take to get me and Abby new identities. If I have to leave here, the next place I land is going to be the last place. I’m not going to keep dragging her all around the country.”
“I understand.”
I cleared my throat. “Have they said who the guy was yet?”
“Some low-level drug dealer,” Kevin said, in a low voice. “The murder was meant to send a message.”
“No one’s said anything to you?” I asked again, worried Kevin would be held guilty by association.
“Nope. I’m good man. It’s all good. I do have a couple orders if you think you’re ready to start working.”
I sucked in a deep breath. I wasn’t, but I needed to. It wasn’t just me who was depending on the money the pieces would bring in.
“I’ll get on it this week. Send me the specs and I’ll try and get some materials.”
“Will do. Take care of yourself and try to stay out of trouble.”
I chuckled. “I will.”
“Hey, wait a second. Whatever happened with the neighbor?”
I groaned. “Don’t ask.”
“Ha! I knew it! I knew you wanted her. So, how’s it going? Are you two hooking up every night after my little princess goes to bed?”
“No.”
“Bullshit. Don’t try to pretend you’re not hitting that.”
“I’m not dragging her into my very messy life. She’s got enough shit to deal with.”
“Sure, you keep telling yourself that.”
“Bye, Kevin. Watch your back and make sure you call me the second you hear anything.”
“You know I will,” he said and ended the call.
I felt a little better after talking to him. I knew Kevin could handle himself, but I knew Axel too. The guy was shady as hell and mean as a viper. If he wanted me, he was going to find me. He would systematically go after the people I loved to hurt me. Fortunately, that was a very short list.
I headed off to bed, dreading sleeping alone. One night with Jenna in my arms and I wanted it again and again. I liked how she had warmed my body, her soft breaths washing over my chest, warming me with every exhale.
It wasn’t meant to be. This was some kind of karmic retribution for killing my wife. There was no way the universe would give me another woman to love. It was probably best I didn’t. I was a dangerous man, and trouble seemed to follow me wherever I went.
Chapter 20
Jenna
I pulled open the door, actually looking forward to spending the day with the little four-year-old.
“Hi, Abby!”
“Can you come to my house?” she blurted out.
“What?” I asked, looking up at Colton.
“I want you to see my new dresses, but Daddy said I couldn’t bring them here.”
I grinned, completely understanding the need to put on a fashion show after a shopping spree. “I would love to, if it’s okay with your daddy.”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind a bit.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see what you picked out. You’ll have to model all of them for me.”
Abby grinned and looked up at her dad, giving him an I-told-you-so look. He shrugged. “I didn’t know it was something that had to be done.”
My eyes widened in exaggerated shock. “What? She didn’t get to put on a fashion show!” I asked in horror.
“All right, all right, I get it. I have to get going. You two knock yourselves out.”
“Bye, Daddy!” Abby waved.
I grabbed my phone and followed Abby back to her house. It felt a little strange to be in the house without Colton there.
My phone beeped. It was a text from Rose. She wanted to hang out. I quickly texted her back, letting her know I had Abby for the day, but she was more than welcome to come hang out with us. She promised to be over in an hour.
“Okay, let me see your new dresses!”
Abby opened her closet and pointed to every new dress and explained why she liked each of them. Then, she proceeded to put each one on, doing a little modeling for me while I properly clapped and appeared impressed.
I helped her put together some outfits using her old skirts and shirts to create new ones. She acted like I hung the moon. This led me to believe she hadn’t had another woman in her life to show her the fun of fashion, which was odd considering she was such a diva.
“Okay, my friend Rose is coming over,” I told her. “We better go back to my house.”
She grabbed a couple more dolls and we headed out. Rose arrived a few minutes later. Abby was in love from the moment she saw Rose.
“I love your name. I’m going to name my doll Rose.”
“Aww, that is very sweet. Thank you.”
I put together a quick lunch, the three of us sitting at my little table, chatting about our favorite colors and what we wanted to be when we grew up. I loved the fantasy of the game and happily played along. Rose did as well.
After lunch, Abby was content to watch television while Rose and I quietly talked in the kitchen.
“So, how’s it going with the boss?” she asked, waggling her eyebrows.
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