AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m going shopping with Scarlett Kincaid!”
I wanted to say no. That I have it covered. But the truth is, I don’t have it covered, and I’m relieved that Scarlett offered to take my daughter shopping.
I’ll happily go have my ass handed to me in gin rummy by Rick.
8
~Scarlett~
Shopping in New Hope isn’t easy. In a town this small, the best we can do is a JC Penney or Target. The alternative is to drive up to Charleston, and thanks to Tucker leaving this for the last minute, we don’t have time for that.
So, we start at JC Penney.
“This is the one I told Dad I want,” Chloe says, making a beeline for a little red dress. She holds it up against her small frame, and at a glance, I’d say it’s all the things Tucker said he doesn’t want.
Of course.
“Chloe, there are rules, remember?”
“Just let me try it on,” she pleads. “I’ll show you, it’s not that bad.”
“Okay. Let’s grab a few for you, sound good?”
“I want this one,” she whispers, but I pretend not to hear her. Chloe’s as strong-willed as her father. It’s no wonder they butt heads from time to time.
Reminds me of me with my dad. I’ll have to apologize to him later for being difficult.
“I don’t wear pink,” Chloe says when I hold up a blush-colored dress. “Ever.”
“This one’s out then.”
She nods, and I reach for a cute little black dress.
“I don’t like black.”
“Chloe, why do I get the feeling the only color you like is red?”
She grins and shrugs one shoulder. “Red is my favorite.”
“Okay, I get it. You want that dress. But you have to work with me here. It’s called compromise. If you’re not willing to budge, no one gets what they want, and everyone is just angry. And that’s no fun.”
“I bet you don’t have to compromise.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re rich and famous and can have anything you want.”
“Think again, kiddo.” I grab the black dress, making Chloe scowl, but I ignore her. “I have to compromise all the time. Because I’m a grown-up. So, if you want to be taken seriously, you need to shed some of the attitude and be more open-minded. I think you hurt your dad’s feelings today.”
Chloe frowns, the first chink in her carefully erected armor. “I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings.”
“I know. It’s tough when you think you know what’s best, and your dad’s idea of that is different from yours. I was raised by a single dad, too.”
“Oh, yeah. It’s not so bad. My dad’s really great. He’s a good person, and I usually get pretty much what I want. But, sometimes, he just doesn’t understand being a girl. You know?”
“Of course. Because he’s a boy, so it’s hard for him to understand.” I lead her to the dressing rooms and hang the dresses on the rack inside, then step out while Chloe changes. “Start with the black one. We’ll look at the red one last.”
She sighs heavily, and I smile.
“Why doesn’t your mom take you shopping?” I ask and bite my lip, hoping I didn’t cross a line with the question. But the truth is, I’m dying to know more about her mother.
“I never met her,” she says matter-of-factly. “It’s just been Dad and me since I was born. He says I look a lot like her, but he doesn’t tell me too much else. I think it makes him sad.”
“Did she die?” I ask.
“No, she didn’t want me.”
There’s no sadness in her voice. No regret. Just facts, and that breaks my heart because I know what it’s like to have your mom not want you.
How could anyone not want this wonderful little girl? I mean, I’m the least maternal person I know, and I would scoop her up in a heartbeat.
Chloe comes out of the dressing room wearing the black dress I chose.
“And don’t feel sorry for me because my dad is awesome, and we don’t need her.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more. You and your dad are doing great.”
She walks to the mirror and frowns. “This one isn’t bad, but I don’t love it.”
“Hmm.” I tug on the hemline. It hits her at mid-calf, but it makes her legs look stubby. And I don’t like where it sits on her hips. “This one is a no.”
“Told you.”
She walks back into the dressing room to change.
“Anyway,” she continues, “the only thing I know about my mom is that her name is Valerie, and she grew up here, but her family doesn’t live here anymore.”
My mind whirls, trying to think who this Valerie could be.
“So, you don’t even see her parents?”
“Nope. I have Nana and Papa, and Rick. He’s like a grandpa to me.”
“Of course.”
Valerie? Who the heck is—?
Holy shit. Could her mom be—? No. It’s not possible. Hell would freeze over before Tucker would touch her.
