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“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you? Why’d you wait until I ran into you and him?”
“It wasn’t the plan. He wasn’t supposed to be here this weekend. My mother got sick and Mandy brought Finn with her. I didn’t mean to run into you yesterday. I just haven’t been able to find the words or the nerve to tell you. And your dad. I could tell he knew instantly when he saw Finn. He must hate me, too. Your whole family is going to hate me forever.”
J.T. stood again. “Forever’s a long time. Let’s take it one day at a time.” She nodded, and he went on. “I want to get to know him. I want him to know my family. You didn’t just keep him from me. You kept him from all of us.” She nodded again as he went on. “I know he’s young, and I want to do this right. But at some point, I want him to know I’m his father.”
“Yes. All of that. Of course. We can go to court. Whatever you want.”
“Let’s not worry about court right now.”
“You can spend as much time as you want with him.”
“So, even though your father is financing this business venture, how are you feeding yourself and Finn? Is he supporting you until it gets going?”
“Yes. Which I hate. That’s why I’ve been looking for a job. Once school starts in the fall, Finn will be in kindergarten. I can work during the days and work on the house at night and on the weekends. It’s going to take a while before we’re up and running. Probably a year at least.”
J.T. stuck his hands in his pockets. “And until then, you’re at the mercy of your father?”
She looked at him. “Yeah. But I’ll work as much as I can.”
“Do you think this Bed and Breakfast will support you and Finn once it’s going?”
“Yes. We think with just the one motel in town, we will do pretty good.”
“So the sooner you get it going, the sooner you’re not dependent on your father to support you.”
“Yes.”
J.T. studied the ground for a moment. “I want you to figure out how much it will take for you and Finn to live without your father’s help. He can pay the mortgage and for the renovations. He owes you that. But food, clothes, everything else.”
She looked up at him. “Why?”
“Because the sooner you’re out from under his thumb, the better. If you don’t have to work, how soon can you get the place open for business?”
“Six months.”
“Let me take care of your living expenses so you can stay home with Finn and work on the place.”
Joey got to her feet. “J.T. I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask me. I’m going to try, for the sake of our son, to get past this with you. But your dad, I don’t want anythingto do with him. And I don’t want my son depending on him for anything.”
She took a hesitant step toward J.T. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I think for now, we’ve said enough.” He took a couple of steps back from her. “When are you moving into the house?”
“On Tuesday. My stuff is coming from Boise. We’re going to move into the parlor and the downstairs bedroom.”
“Okay. I’d like to meet Finn when you get settled in.”
“Of course. Right away.”
J.T. nodded. “I should go now.”
“I’m so sorry, J.T.”
He put up a hand. “I’ll see you soon.”
