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“I’m sure we can day-drink for her too,” Austen assures me as we reach her car. “Besides, I’ve heard their margs are worth the headache.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
* * *
OWEN
I’m so overwhelmed I don’t know if I’m coming or going. Deciding to file for sole custody of Tessa has started a mountain of red tape I have to work through.
I got the court order I needed from the judge for temporary custody until Child Protective Services has finished their investigation into if I’ll be a fit guardian. The paperwork from my sister signing over her rights will help, they say.
We spent Sunday converting my bedroom into Tessa’s bedroom. I’ll be on the couch for the foreseeable future. We’ll have to share the closet and bathroom until I can find somewhere else. Finding rental houses in a small town is not as easy as you think. At least she has a room she can call her own for now.
I had to call in sick to work on Sunday. Monday, I went and threw myself at the mercy of Sheriff Rogers. He smiled, gave me the week off paid, and offered to help me start hunting for new housing. There are certainly some pluses to living in a small town too. As soon as I can find flexible childcare, I’ll be ready to work extra shifts to make up for what everyone else is doing for me.
I tried to register Tessa in school on Tuesday, but her vaccine records were incomplete. So on Wednesday, I took her to Fredericksburg for her twelve-year boosters.
We grabbed some new school clothes and supplies while we were there. She informed me that, coupled with the ice cream I bought, she guessed she’d forgive me for the shots.
Now it’s Thursday, and we’re about to make another run at the school. A million things are flying through my head as we cross town. I’m so deep in thought that it takes Tessa several times calling my name to hear her.
“Uncle Owen!”
“What? What’s up, buttercup?” She rolls her eyes but quickly grows serious again.
“Who were you with?”
“What are you talking about?” So much has happened it could be almost anyone.
“That woman? She was all muddy like you. You were in that big Jeep.”
“Oh, that was a friend.”
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“Eliot,” I say with a smile. It’s the only way I can say her name.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
Is she? I adore everything about her. Even when she’s behaving badly. That might be when I like her best. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend my time with. She’s funny in a dry-humor way. She’s smart as a whip and knows how to turn a phrase. And my heart races when I see her. It sounds like the very definition of a girlfriend.
“Yes?”
“Do you not want her to meet me? Will she not like me?” I almost slide the cruiser to a stop in the middle of the street, but I manage to keep it moving.
“No, Tess. I think she’ll love you. And I know you’ll adore her. She’s really fun. Everything has just been so crazy I haven’t had time to invite her over to meet you.” We pull up in front of the school. “Let’s see if they’ll let you in today.”
“Okay.” She nods and climbs out of the car.
That’s another thing I need to do. I need to track down Eliot. She deserves an explanation about Tessa and why I’ve turned into the ghost this time. The fact she has never responded to my brief texts says a lot. But I have to put everything except for what I have to do next out of my brain.
“Hi,” I say to the secretary when we finally make it through the security into the middle school. “I’m not sure if you remember us. We were here Tuesday?—”
“Officer Steele,” she says, cutting me off. “Have everything together this time?”
“I hope so.”
“Good. If you’ll have a seat, Ms. Scott would like to visit with you.”
