Page 5 of Echoes of a Southern Song

Langley leans forward, his elbows on the desk. “Be patient. Stay out of trouble. And be ready to testify if we go to court. Keep your head down, Miss Parker. The less drama you bring into this, the better.”

I have to bite my tongue. Jinnie is probably the least dramatic woman I’ve ever met. She avoids drama at all costs.

“What if he tries to call me?” Jinnie asks. “Or shows up at my house?”

“Are you afraid of him?” The attorney’s question is the same one I have.

We both turn to look at her.

She shakes her head. “No. But I don’t want him around.”

“If he shows up, document it. Ask him to leave. Because you are legally married, he could technically stay.”

“He doesn’t live there,” I say.

“And the police will probably make him leave, but it’s a tricky situation,” he says. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”

“Great,” Jinnie murmurs.

“I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear from his counsel.”

Jinnie stands abruptly. “Thank you.”

We leave the office in silence, the weight of Langley’s words hanging between us. The sun is too bright outside. We both put on our sunglasses as we walk to my truck. I don’t know what to say, so I keep quiet, matching her pace.

“He’s going to make this as hard as possible,” she finally says. “I don’t know why I thought he’d just let it go.”

“Because you’re a decent person,” I say. “You expect others to be decent too. But not everyone is.”

She stops walking and turns to face me. “I just want this over with, Jack. I want to move on with my life. Why does he get to have this hold over me still?”

I wish I had an answer for her. I wish I could snap my fingers and make Sam disappear from her life forever. “He doesn’t,” I say instead. “He thinks he does, but he doesn’t. You’re already moving on—he’s just too stubborn to see it.”

She sighs and shakes her head. “I hope you’re right.”

“Hey.” I catch her wrist before she can open the door. “Whatever he’s planning, we’ll handle it.”

She won’t meet my eyes. “Thanks.”

“Come on, let’s go get a burger. And a milkshake. Do you like your fries dipped in your milkshake?”

I’m trying to lighten the mood, but it’s clearly not working.

“I need to be alone for a bit,” she says. “Maybe a raincheck. Can you take me home?”

The request stings more than it should. “Yeah. Of course.”

The drive is silent. At her tiny house, she leans over and kisses my cheek before hopping out and practically running for the door. I sit there, waiting for her to turn and wave or smile. But she doesn’t. She disappears inside without looking back.

“Shit.”

I don’t know what to think.

I back out of her driveway and make the short trip to Aggie’s house. She’s not home when I get there. Just as well. I don’t feel like talking. And I can’t tell her what’s on my mind. I don’t want to lie to Aggie. Already, it doesn’t sit right with me that she doesn’t know. I’m keeping Jinnie’s secret. I just hope I don’t have to keep it for long. Secrets have a way of eating away at you.

I flop onto the bed, arm over my eyes. The ceiling fan clicks with each rotation. I stare up at it, watching it go round and round.

Why didn’t she want me to stay?