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“They’re almost all mothers,” Rachel reminds us both. “Of course, they’re not going to get wild and crazy. They’re old.”
Maeve and I blink at each other and then bust up laughing.
“Thanks,” Maeve says and pulls Rach down in a chokehold, rubbing her knuckles in Rachel’s hair. “You little jerk.”
“I meant it in a nice way!” Rachel giggles and pulls out of Maeve’s hold. “You look really good for your age and everything.”
“I’m only thirty-four, you toddler,” Maeve retaliates and starts to chase Rachel through the field.
“Of course, I don’t care if you have a little party,” I say when the two quit chasing each other and stop to catch their breath. “This is your home, too.”
Suddenly, I hear the light honk of a horn.
We all turn to see a brand-new blue MINI Cooper convertible pull into the driveway.
“Who’s that?” Rachel asks.
“No idea,” I reply. “Let’s go see.”
As we approach, the driver puts the top down and waves over the top of the windshield.
“It’s Mom,” Rachel says and picks up the pace. “This is a sweet car, Mom.”
“Well, I’m so happy to hear that you think so because I bought it for you, sweet girl.”
No.
Oh, hell fucking no.
“What? Are you kidding?” Rachel runs over and hugs Carla as her mother steps out of the car.
“I’m not kidding at all. You mentioned that you wanted a car, and I saw this one for sale. It’s adorable and fun, just like my daughter.”
“Holy crap! Dad, look! It’s my very own car!”
I don’t smile. I don’t even look at Rachel. I just glare at the woman who gave birth to her and take a long, deep breath.
“It’s cute,” Maeve says, breaking the silence.
“It’s a convertible,” Rachel gushes. “I’ve literally always wanted a convertible. This is the best, Mom. Thank you so, so much.”
“You deserve it,” Carla says. “You work hard, and you’re a good girl. Come on, let’s go for a ride. You drive.”
“No, absolutely not.” I step forward, having heard enough. “Rachel doesn’t even have a learner’s permit, and I told her yesterday that she couldn’t have a car until she went through driver’s ed.”
“That’s silly,” Carla says, waving me off. “She doesn’t need driver’s ed. She just needs someone to spend some time teaching her. I’m here, I can do it.”
“I said, no,” I repeat and earn a glare from my daughter. I don’t give a rat’s ass. “Rachel, go inside.”
“But, Dad—”
“Go. Inside.”
“Let’s go make that lunch,” Maeve says and goes in with my daughter.
“Why do you have to be such a killjoy?” Carla demands and glares at me.
“Why would you buy my kid a car without consulting me?”
“She’s my kid, too,” she replies.
“Only when it suits you. And according to the law, she’s not yours. You gave up your parental rights the day after she was born. You don’t get to make these kinds of decisions for her, Carla. I don’t know why you’re here, or what you’re trying to prove, but all you’re doing is creating chaos.”
“I’m just trying to get to know her,” Carla counters. “And spoil her a bit. I’m entitled.”
“You’re not entitled to anything. This car is inappropriate, and you know it. You just don’t give a shit.”
She smirks. “So, put it in the garage for safekeeping until you decide she can have it. What’s the harm? I won’t take her driving if it makes you that crazy.”
“Go away, Carla.” I back up toward the house. “Just…go away.”
Chapter 14
~Maeve~
He’s been gone for only five hours, and so far, everything is just fine. I know Hunter was on the fence about leaving with all of the new Carla drama going on, but after I assured him once again that we’d be fine, he finally agreed to go.
I had breakfast with Rachel this morning. She wasn’t thrilled that her dad wouldn’t change his stance on the car situation.
There’s nothing at all that I can do about that.
But I was happy to lend an ear and try to be the voice of reason. Unfortunately, I think kids are deaf to the voice of reason at her age.
I just finished showing two houses to a nice couple from Nebraska. If I had to guess, I’d say they’ll go for the first one. I need to swing by my house to see how things are progressing with my roof before going back to Hunter’s to check on Rachel.
I shouldn’t have stopped by my place. All it does is depress me. The contractors have replaced the tarps my brothers, Cam, and Hunter pieced together with a big black one to keep all moisture out, but there’s been no real progress on the actual structural repairs.
It doesn’t even feel like home anymore.
I only spend a few minutes there and then head back to Hunter’s to see what Rachel’s up to. We both have today off from the pub, which is unusual. In fact, it’s going to be just the guys at O’Callaghan’s tonight because the girls are all coming to Hunter’s for our party.
