Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Charles

During the ride to Melody’s doll shop, she was quiet. I was unsettled. There were so many things I’d planned to tell her this morning. There was something else that I had retrieved from my grandmother that I wanted to give her, if she would have it.

She stared at the quilt, drinking in every picture. I wanted to do the same thing. I hadn’t realized that Grandmother had kept a quilt like that for her. What did that mean? Had my grandmother ever cared for Sheila like that? I didn’t think so. I’d been over Sheila a long time.

As we pulled up to the doll shop, Melody gasped.

“What’s wrong?” I looked ahead at the blue Toyota Camry with Colorado plates parked out front. “Is that your son?” Hope rose inside me. It would be perfect to meet her son and have him here for the thing I wanted to do.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s my ex-husband.”

We walked into the doll shop, where he sat slumped on the couch. As he noticed us, he stood. “Melody.” He rushed toward her, and even though our hands were linked together, he pulled her into a hug. Then he pulled back, seeming like he didn’t notice me. “I’ve been getting calls from the police here. There have been break-ins?”

She took a step away from him, anger flashing in her eyes. “What? Why would you be getting calls?”

Peter shrugged. “I got a message on the landline when this place was broken into. I think you had that set up for your mother.”

She glared at him.

I remained silent, observing. The guy looked worse than the day he’d married her. How could I forget the face of the man who’d stolen everything I’d wanted? I still remembered him yelling at me and pointing at the church door while telling me to go away.

Peter turned to face me. “It’s you,” he sputtered. “Why am I not surprised?”

If I were a younger man, I would have slammed my fist into his face. It took every scrap of maturity I’d learned in the military to control myself. “Peter,” I acknowledged. I was happy that Melody’s hand was still in mine.

He glanced down, noticing our joined hands. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. “So that’s it, then. We get divorced and you’re back with your boyfriend?”

Melody yanked her hand away and crossed her arms. “What are you talking about? You divorced me . You gave me the papers on Christmas Eve. So, whoever I am with is none of your business.”

Peter pointed at me. “I think it is. You claim I had all these affairs, yet I show up here to check on you, because I was worried, and you’re here with the guy that you always pined after?”

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it made me feel good to think she’d pined over me.

“Really?” Melody rolled her eyes. “You found one picture that I kept in that shoebox, and you rubbed it in my face for years. Newsflash—I found emails and proof and … Well, Peter, you brought home divorce papers. And I know you broke up with your flavor of the month and you’re dating that lady from my book club.” Understanding dawned on her face. “That’s why you’re here. You broke up with her too, didn’t you?”

I looked back and forth between them. This was like being in the middle of one of my grandmother’s soap operas.

“No, I wanted to check on you, and I actually brought this.” Peter tugged an envelope from his pocket and shoved it toward her.

She opened it, and her eyes widened. “This is a third of what you owe me.”

Peter shrugged. “On the advice of my attorney, we are going to file a motion that your mother’s house should be included in the assets.”

Melody gritted her teeth. She looked like she was two seconds from blowing up. “Get out, Peter. Just get out.”

Peter reached to grab her other hand.

She yanked it away from him. “Melody, if you don’t think it’s fair, we can talk about it. That’s why I’m here.”

“I’m not doing this with you anymore. I will figure out a different way. I’m not going to argue with you. Please just leave.”

Peter glanced at me, frowned, and swung his gaze back to her. “I need to talk to you privately about Will.”

That got her attention.

Okay, enough was enough. I finally spoke up. “This is just a negotiation tactic. He’s using your relationship with your son for a chance to talk to you alone.”

“I know.” Melody hesitated. “But I want to hear about my son. I’m sorry. Can I call you later?”

Anger shot through me. It was like I was being rejected all over again, though maybe it wasn’t as bad as being kicked out of a church.

Melody grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”

My anger evaporated. Even though I knew he was lying, I started walking to the door. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

Peter gave me a smug look. “See you later, rich guy .”

The irony that he was teasing me about being rich wasn’t lost on me. It was the same way her mother had always pitted her against me.

I stalked outside and got into my truck, not wanting to leave but knowing I had to. This whole ‘falling in love with her’ thing was fragile.

What if she decided to get back together with Peter? What if she left? The idea was worse than the bullet I’d taken in the shoulder right before getting discharged as a SEAL.

I got in my truck and drove off, unsure where to go. I couldn’t go back to my grandmother’s. I couldn’t face all the questions.