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Crazy woman, thinking I didn’t want her by my side.
When we broke apart, the other side of the table was empty. Thea giggled, resting her forehead against mine. “Let’s go home.”
I helped her out of her chair, and after we said our goodbyes—teary ones for Thea, William, and Ciel—we left. But not before we had to promise to come back to visit as often as possible.
We drove back to Everleigh’s, Thea chatting about the things she had to pack. It was safe to say she was fully on board with the move now. I owed William. Not only had it taken him a mere few minutes to figure Thea out, but he insisted we take his plane tomorrow.
When we pulled up to the house, there was an old—and unfortunately very familiar—rusted Ford parked in front of the house. I’d seen Thea drive this car many times when we were younger.
Her face blanched, and she curled her hands into the hem of her dress, holding it so tight her knuckles turned white. As soon as I’d parked the car, Lila Henderson emerged, dressed in skintight jeans and a barely there top.
She looked gaunt, her ribs sticking out, her arms too thin, her hair a bleached mess. But she had the same scowl on her face that she'd always worn. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her do anything but disapprove of everyone around her. Especially her daughter.
I got out, wasting no time walking her way to cut her off before she reached Thea. When she noticed me, she squinted. Then a gleam entered her eyes, and she smiled. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t little Archer. Thea never fails to surprise me.”
With a gasp, Thea stood next to me, her arm pressed along mine. “Mom. What are you doing here?”
I wondered the same thing. Because I knew Thea would never tell her mom she’d moved out of William’s house. Seemed like someone had been busy digging up information on her daughter.
“Visiting my daughter. What else would I be doing?” She eyed the big farmhouse behind her. “Are you going to invite me inside?”
“I don’t live there.”
“Not what I heard.”
Holding her ground, Thea stood up straighter, her hand finding mine and squeezing. “Then you’ve heard wrong. I live in the guesthouse.”
“So it’s true, then. William finally came to his senses and kicked you out.”
Thea flinched but didn’t back away. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we’re getting a divorce.”
She threw her head back and laughed, the cackling sound grating. “That’s gold. How the mighty have fallen. Guess you’ll have to take that job at Diamond’s now after all.”
There was only one Diamond’s I knew, and there was no way Thea would ever work there. I’d never understood how a mother could be so cruel to her own daughter. Looked like nothing had changed.
Stepping forward, I ran my thumb over Thea’s hand, my attention on her mom. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Make it worth my while and I will.”
Thea let out a humorless laugh. “Of course you’re here because you need money.”
Lila’s face turned ugly, and she directed a malicious glare at her daughter. “I told you last time that I need ten K. But you’re too selfish to give your mama anything. Always knew I raised a little brat.”
I turned to Thea, noticing her tight posture and twitching nose. She was about to break down and cry, and I knew how much she hated to show any weakness in front of her mom.
Leaning down, I made sure Lila couldn’t hear us. “Go inside and close the door behind you. I’ll get rid of her.”
“Archer, no. She’s crazy. There’s no telling what she’ll do.”
“Please, let me do this. We’re a team now. And you know she won’t let up.”
Biting her lip, Thea studied my face. “Are you sure?”
She sounded lost, and it took all I had in me not to just take her and drive away again. But this had to be dealt with or her mom would just keep coming back. “Absolutely. Trust me?”
“I trust you more than anyone. But whatever happens, promise to remember that I’m not my mom.”
“I know that.” I kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
