AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart fills every time she says it, and today is no different. But when Aspen leans forward to kiss my forehead, I suddenly feel dizzy.
“Bye, Papa Pike,” she teases lightly.
They’re gone, leaving only me and Zoe alone in the kitchen.
“I like her,” Zoe announces, unsolicited.
“That’s good,” I say absently.
“She’s a good fit here.”
My head swivels toward her, and I peer at her speculatively, but I say nothing, and she pretends I’m not watching her.
What does that mean? Better than before?
I tell myself I’m reading too much into her words, just like I overthink everything else. There’s finally a calm in this house, and I won’t disrupt it. Zoe is right; Aspen is the glue that holds us all together.
“I’m going to work,” I inform Zoe. “Please don’t disturb me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Noted, Pike.”
I head through the hallway, but as I turn to take the east stairs up, a movement catches my eye through the frosted glass of the front doors. Before I can pivot to look, the doorbell rings. My brow furrows.
“Zoe? Are we expecting a package?”
“Oh, I’ve got it, Pike. It’s a delivery.” Her voice gets nearer, but I’m already at the door.
“It’s fine, Zoe, I’m already here.”
I open the door and take a step back, my neck stiffening to see Matthew, Raya’s partner, standing in front of me.
“Zoe, call the sheriff!” I call out.
“No need,” he says, thrusting an envelope at me. “Just give that to Mr. Hoity-Toity when you see him.”
He spins around and takes off down the cul-de-sac, leaving me standing with my heart pounding.
“Pike?!”
“Cancel the sheriff,” I rasp.
“Was that Raya’s boyfriend?” Zoe asks, worry flooding her voice. I close the door and lock it, but my eyes are on the envelope in front of me.
It’s addressed to Mr. Flint Sterling at our address, but the return is from a law firm I’ve never heard of in Peachtree City.
“What is that, Pike?” Zoe whispers. I shake my head, unable to answer as that familiar knot of dread forms in my gut. “Should I put that in Flint’s office?”
“No.” I open it, not caring what Flint will say. This clearly has nothing to do with his business, the service being delivered by Matthew. It could only pertain to Lily.
I read, my eyes growing wider with each unbelievable word.
They can’t do this! They can’t stop the adoption from going through!
And yet in black and white, I’m reading the injunction, pending a hearing to protest the adoption of Lily Ann Marie Parker to Flint Sterling.
“No. NO. NO!” I shout, crumpling the page in my hand.
“Pike!” I push past Zoe and storm up the stairs, rage consuming me.
