Page 59 of Chasing Honor

“But—”

“No buts. I told you everything I’m going to.” Then I found myself repeating the last words I’d spoken to her in the delivery room. “Take care of yourself.”

I didn’t bother to wait for her response or for her to plead with me to see Carson. I walked back into the house and closed the door.

Not surprisingly, my dad was standing there waiting for me. His demeanor matching my own—furious.

“Did you hear?” I asked.

“Every word.”

“Did the girls?” I prayed my dad had shielded them from knowing who was at the door.

“No. Pancakes are on the table. We’ll talk after breakfast.”

I’d like to say that walking into the dining room and seeing Carson and Honor already at the table smiling and happy soothed my anger, but it didn’t. What had been a great source of joy for me had now changed into dread.

This was the beginning of the end. I could feel it, something was very wrong.

16

Lily was closely watching every move Ethan made. He’d barely eaten his breakfast and snapped at her when she’d asked if he was on nights this week, which earned him a warning growl from Lenox. Carson had chattered away throughout the meal but for the first time, Ethan wasn’t paying attention to her. She’d even had to call his name and repeat her questions.

That was unheard of; Ethan was present. Always. Whoever had been at the door had shaken him. I wondered if it was an ex-girlfriend. She was beautiful, maybe he was now having seconds thoughts about us. Logically I knew she couldn’t be an ex, he’d told me he hadn’t dated since Carson was born, but some women saw sex as a relationship. Then there was the possibility he’d lied. I didn’t know what the problem was, but the house felt stifling.

“He’ll be fine,” Lily whispered, rather unconvincingly.

“Who was at the door?” I asked, handing her the dish I’d washed so she could dry it and put it away.

She placed the plate in the cabinet before turning toward me, resting her hip against the counter. I should’ve known from the look that crossed her face it was going to be bad. However, I could never have guessed how bad.

“Chrissy.”

“What?” The glass I’d been washing slipped from my hand, landing in the sink with a clatter. “Chrissy Chrissy?” I whispered.

“Yes.”

This wasn’t happening. Chrissy was worse than any made up girlfriend I’d pictured in my mind. Chrissy showing up was the worst possible thing that could have happened. Did she want Carson?

“Where’s Carson?”

Before I could go in search of her, just to see with my own eyes she was in the house and fine, Lily stopped me.

“She’s out back with Lenox and Ethan.”

“Should they be outside? What if Chrissy tries to take her?”

“Chrissy may be a lot of things, what she isn’t is stupid enough to jump the fence and take on Ethan and his dad.”

I was being silly, but fear had wound around my heart and was threatening to stop it from beating.

“You’re right. I’m over reacting.”

“No, you’re reacting exactly how a mother who’s protecting her child would.”

“But I’m not her mom, Chrissy is.”

Lily sighed and grabbed my hand, abandoning the cleanup. She led me to the couch and pulled me down beside her.