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“You have no right to be here,” I said.
“I wanted to see you,” she said in a pleading tone, reaching for my hand. “And the kids. I miss you guys.”
I stepped back. “You get to see the kids in August. It was arranged by my attorney.”
“Holt.” She tucked the hair behind her ear, trying to look vulnerable. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“No. All communication needs to come through my attorney.”
She flinched, looking hurt. “I had to take three planes to get here. I’ve been traveling all day. And then I had to find you. Please.”
All I wanted was to catch up with Shea, but in the back of my mind, I worried that Andrea would go to my parents’ house and try to take the kids.
“What more could there be to talk about?” I demanded. “We signed the paperwork almost a year ago. Don’t you have a baby to take care of in California?”
“I left her with a friend. Listen, I made a huge mistake. I’ve known it for a while. All I want is a chance”
I cut her off. “No. We’re way past over and you gave up your parental rights to go to California. That’s it. There’s nothing more to say.”
She blinked and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Please, I miss my family.”
This was the same woman who had fucked her boyfriend in our bed while our children slept upstairs. I had no patience for her.
“Don’t come here uninvited again,” I said.
“I want to see my kids! They’re my kids, too, and I want them back!”
I was already walking away. I’d moved on from fighting with Andrea, and I was never going back to it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Shea
My flowerbeds had been weeded. I smiled as I pulled into my driveway and saw how neat my mom had made my yard look. No matter how many times I told her she didn’t have to do it, she was always coming over to take care of little things for me since I spent so much time at work.
It was rare for me to actually see my yard in daylight because I so often got home after dark. Today had been particularly rough because a refrigerated supply truck had broken down on the way to The Sleepy Moose, spoiling everything inside.
I’d had to create new menus for the next couple of days and scramble to source ingredients. I was looking forward to showering and going straight to bed.
But as soon as I opened my back door and walked inside, the savory smell of slow-cooked beef made my stomach rumble. Mom had put a roast and veggies in my slow cooker. Tears pricked my eyes as I looked through the glass lid at the food inside.
It was hard for me to eat at work, and when I did, it was usually just a few bites or a quick sandwich eaten on the go. Never while sitting down. Getting to enjoy this meal in my own home, with no one talking to me or asking for anything, was exactly what I needed.
I texted my mom to thank her and had just dished up a steaming bowl of beef stew when there was an insistent knock at my door.
I smiled wearily to myself as I imagined Caden standing there, asking why I had dared to leave work.
When I opened the door, though, I saw Hilary Newton, who worked for Georgette’s Flowers. She was holding a massive vase of red roses.
“I would have delivered this to The Moose, but the instructions specifically said to bring it here,” she said flatly. “I was about to set up a tent in your front yard and wait for you to get here.”
Flowers? I had never in my life gotten flowers. My heart raced as I imagined Holt writing out a note of apology over his ex-wife showing up last night. Not necessary at all, but incredibly sweet.
“Let me grab my purse,” I said.
“No, I was tipped with the order,” Hilary said, passing me the vase. “Have a good night.”
“Thanks.”
