7. Caro

SEVEN

Caro

I head for the door, unsure what just happened with Ricky. This was the most civil conversation we’ve had since I came back here. And he seemed to be saying that he had feelings for me.

I’m not sure that I trust in that.

“Where are you going?” he asks me.

“I’ve got to get back. Granny Louise is watching Christopher and it’s probably past both of their bedtimes.”

He nods his head, his eyes unfocused. “Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I’ve probably kept you too late and you’ve got Christopher to worry about. Thank you for coming by. I’m sure that Doc wanted you to check in on me but I’m sure he didn’t expect me to keep you here so late.”

I shake my head and smile. “I wanted to talk to you. I’m good with how things have gone but I do need to get back home to Christopher. We’re going to see if we can check out Sebastian’s ranch tomorrow. Christopher is very excited to see a horse for the first time in person.”

Ricky smiles slightly, just a quirk of his well-formed lips that drives me crazy.

“Maybe you’d like to come here and I can show you around with Christopher? I’ve actually missed the little guy.”

I nod my head slightly then stop. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Ricky. I don’t want him to be confused by what’s going on here.”

“Which is?” he asks me, one dark brow lifted over his gorgeous ebony eyes sparked with gold dust and amber.

“What’s going on is…” I pause and stand, irresolute. “I’m not really sure.”

I know what I wish.

“Come over tonight and I’ll take y’all around and we’ll go for a sleigh ride. Have hot chocolate. I know Christopher likes hot chocolate.”

“Are you trying to tempt me?”

He grins at me. “Is it working?”

I shake my head but it’s not true. It really is. I want to see him tonight. “What about your arm? You might overdo it. I can’t be responsible for that.”

I’m just not sure if I should want Christopher to see him. To get his hopes up maybe and then have something else go wrong.

With freaking Angel’s disastrous relationships and the mess that she’s got us in, it could end in trouble for all of us.

And I’m trying to keep Christopher out of it, let alone Ricky.

But before I can respond, he catches ahold of my hand and my heartbeat accelerates, leaving me lightheaded and wanton.

I still want him. I’m just not sure if that’s the best idea I’ve ever had right now.

But my lady bits are sending out morse code and I just can’t say no. “You trust me to worry about my own body. Just come.

“I guess we can.”

“Great! I’ll get the gear all gathered up to take a little sleigh ride. There’s enough snow on the ground to really make it fun.”

“That sounds lovely.”

And sounds freaking dangerous as hell.

“I’ll get Christopher and come by at four? Hopefully it won’t be pitch black when we go then”

“Just come by. I’ll make sure that it’s all perfect.”

I nod my head and walk away, not sure I’ve made the right decision. Especially when my damn phone rings and I see Angel’s number come up.

“What now?”

“I need you to come pick me up. I’m sick and tired of dealing with this jerk. He’s making my life a living hell. He won’t even let me go pick up some makeup at my place.”

I huff, my eyes darting around as I step off the porch and to my car. There’s nobody here to ask me what the hell is going on but we both agreed that she can’t contact me right now!

“I would imagine that he did say that, sis. You’re not supposed to go near anyplace that you frequent. I would think that you would remember what happened the last time you went back to your place!”

Honestly, most of the time I feel like I’m the older sister, not Angel. She just acts so outrageous. Usually, it’s okay. But this time she’s really dug herself into a deep pit.

“I can’t come back there anymore. They are taking care of you until the trial, Angel.”

“Gimme a break,” she whines, her nasally tone getting on my nerves so bad that it’s like nails on a chalkboard. “I cannot stand this anymore.”

“You’re not even supposed to be up and around yet! It sounds like you’re the one driving him nuts!”

“Just come here. Bring me some makeup or something. Take me to a movie. I’ve got to get out of here.”

Rage rips through me and I slam my car door as I sit down. “I am not getting anyone involved in your problems, Angel! I found you some help from professionals. They know what’s best, so I suggest you take their advice. I’m sure as hell not risking my life or my son’s by coming back to feed into your narcissistic tendencies. Grow up and stop being such a damn baby!”

Then I slam the off button on the phone, wishing I had another door to slam. She’s driving me nuts!

And she’s so selfish that she doesn’t even seem to realize that she could get both Christopher and I hurt just being around her. If one of her pursuers finds her and decides to make an example out of us.

I love Angel. But there’s no way in hell that I’m going to let her fuck up my life any more than she already has.

She’s going to have to take somebody else’s advice right now and lay low until the preliminary trial and hearing get started.

Or she’s gonna get us all killed.