Her brow furrowed. “At Duncan’s. Ramsey’s leaving tomorrow and heading back to the States.”
“Do you want to put Piper into a sling and take a walk with me. I could use some fresh air.”
She shook her head. “No, I—Piper just got to sleep, and I don’t want to move her.”
“Come sit outside with me,” I commanded.
Barrett looked like she was about to argue.
“Get your jacket,” I urged bluntly. “Meet me on the patio.”
I didn’t give her a choice in denying me. I went outside before she could respond. The sunlight was nothing more than an illusion of warmth at this hour, so I turned on the heating lamps since the temperature had started to drop. I sat down and stretched out my legs underneath the table.
The sliding glass door opened and then shut. Barrett appeared and set the baby monitor on the table before taking a seat next to me.
She wore one of Flynn’s peacoats and it swallowed her. Her auburn braid was tucked into the collar of the jacket, and she hunched down into it as if it would offer her some protection against me.
I was instantly enraged.
I thought I knew her.
I knew nothing.
“Who is he?” I asked, my voice soft, careful.
She frowned. “He who?”
“The man you’ve been having an affair with?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not having an affair.”
“Don’t bullshit me,” I snapped. “I heard you on the phone, talking to your lover.”
She clamped her mouth shut and her lips went white with anger.
“You’re not going to tell me?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“None of my—you were having a conversation out in the open, Barrett. What if it hadn’t been me who walked in on you? What if it had been Quinn? Or your husband?”
“You don’t understand,” she whispered. She turned her face away. In that moment, she reminded me of one of those classic paintings, of a woman with mystery hidden in her eyes, and secrets buried within her lips.
“Make me understand,” I beseeched.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
“My own husband wouldn’t understand.” She looked at me, her eyes tormented. “Why would I tell you and not him?”
“I understand you in ways he can’t,” I began. “So, explain it to me.”
She pondered my statement for a moment and looked like she was about to unveil everything she was holding in when Piper’s cry echoed through the baby monitor.
Without a word, Barrett rose and went to tend to her daughter.
Chapter27
