Chapter 39

Colten and I sat down in the kitchen with a soda each and a plate of chips between us. I looked at my son from across the table, noticing the hazy gleam in his eyes and the slight furrow of his brow, and worry ratcheted my insides.

The accident itself had been minor, the damage to the truck barely noticeable. Dallas’s car was a different story altogether, but even that wouldn’t be totaled. As far as accidents went, we’d gotten lucky.

Colten dragged a chip slowly through the dip, turning it over before bringing it to his mouth and biting into it as if he was in a daze. I knew this had been his first experience with a car accident and that, fender bender or no, he had to be at least a little bit traumatized, but I had a feeling that wasn’t what was bugging him.

“Okay, kiddo,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring as I fixed my gaze on his. “Let me have it. What’s going on up there?”

I tapped my temple, then leaned back, waiting for him to open up. Colt popped the rest of the chip into his mouth, but even his chewing was different. Too slow and like he was savoring the taste of the ordinary, salty snack.

Frowning, I inhaled deeply and mentally cursed Dallas for acting like such a nutjob earlier. Colt swallowed the chip before he suddenly flicked his eyes to mine. “It was an accident.”

He said it slowly, almost like he wasn’t sure if he was right. I nodded and gave him a small, encouraging smile. “Yes, it was. How are you feeling about it?”

He shrugged, those green eyes far away and thoughtful as he spoke. “I’m okay. I just don’t understand why Dallas was so angry. It’s just an accident. He didn’t hit us on purpose and we didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You’re absolutely right. He didn’t hit us on purpose and we didn’t do anything wrong, but some people get worked up a lot faster than others. Especially when they know that something was their fault.”

“But that’s just it. It was his fault. He wasn’t looking where he was going, so why was he so angry at you?”

Because you can’t fix stupid and entitled.

Instead of saying that though, I tried to explain it in a more constructive way. “He has a quick temper and I don’t think he’s used to taking responsibility for stuff. That’s why it’s so important to learn to say sorry when you’ve been in the wrong. All people usually want from you is an acknowledgment of fault and an apology that you mean. If we’re not taught about accountability as kids, then sometimes, as a grownup, it is hard to apologize. For some grownups, it’s much easier to just get angry and point fingers.”

“Like Dallas?”

I nodded. “Exactly like him. I don’t know if he was ever taught about taking responsibility and saying sorry, but even if he was, it doesn’t look like he truly knows how to do it. He might not even believe that he was in the wrong today, but we know that he was, and thankfully, there were enough people around us who saw what happened. That means that no one else blames me. It’s just him and that’s okay because what he believes is none of my business.”

Colten’s head tipped as he stared deep into my eyes. “You’re not scared of what’s going to happen next?”

“Nope.” I gave him a smile I hoped would convince him that I was being honest. “There’s evidence that we didn’t do anything wrong and enough witnesses that will say that we didn’t just stop randomly. The police will also be able to access any cameras in the vicinity of the accident and they can even look at the data from the traffic light. That’s evidence and what it means is that whatever happens next, it’s not our problem.”

“So you’re not scared he’s going to come after you?” A shudder traveled through him and I reached out, gently laying a hand over his forearm and giving it a soft squeeze.

“I doubt he’s going to come here to yell at me some more or to start a fight, if that’s what you’re worried about. By now, he would’ve calmed down and he’s not stupid. He’s not going to cause any more trouble for himself.”

“But this is his house,” he said slowly, fear shimmering in those eyes when they locked on mine. “Doesn’t that mean he can come inside whenever he wants?”

“Well, I don’t know if he has spare keys, but we do know that he can open the gates, so how about this? We’ll make sure that we put the deadbolts on the exterior doors tonight. Will that make you feel safer?”

He dropped his chin in a nod and I smiled. “Great. That’s what we’ll do then, but you don’t have to be afraid of him, buddy. He just lost his temper, is all. It’s normal for people with egos as big as his to go off on others when something happens that they don’t like, but that’s all it is. His ego was bruised. He won’t want to draw any more negative attention to himself by having another tantrum. Worst case scenario is that he tells his buddies in a bar about some guy who stopped for nothing right in front of him.”

“We don’t care about that?” he asked carefully.

I chuckled. “We don’t care about that. We have the law, the evidence, and the witnesses on our side. That’s all we care about. Besides, I don’t think he has too many buddies around here anyway who will give him the time of day. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of person who attracts too many friends. That’s the problem with people like him. His ego is so big, it doesn’t leave much room for anyone else in his life.”

Finally, Colten managed a tiny smile. “We’re going to be alright?”

“Absolutely,” I said confidently. “It’s really not anything to worry about.”

The front doors opened then and I stiffened, immediately jumping up while arching an eyebrow at Colten and telling him to stay put. To my immense relief, it was Jewel who walked through the door, smiling and carrying armfuls of grocery bags.

A wide smile spread on her lips when she saw me. “Scott dropped me off. We didn’t want you to have to come all the way back into town to pick me up after what happened earlier. You’re sure you’re okay?”

“We’re fine,” I said easily, striding over and taking some of the bags off her hands. “What’s all this? You really didn’t have to go shopping.”

“I know, but I wanted to,” she said brightly. “If I’m going to be your cook for the summer, I needed to pick up some things that I’m going to need. Plus, I didn’t want you to have to worry about what we’ll have for dinner tonight, so I’ve got it covered.”

“That was very thoughtful,” I said.

“How’s Colten?” she asked as she preceded me to the kitchen. She smiled when she saw him frozen in place at the table. “Hey, kiddo. I was just asking about you. Are you okay?”

His gaze dropped to the grocery bags in her hands and he grimaced but smoothed his features quickly to give her a smile instead. “I am now. Dallas just freaked me out a little bit, but Dad says it’s nothing to worry about.”

She chuckled and dropped the groceries on the counter before she went over to give him a hug. “Your dad is absolutely right. Dallas is our local idiot in June Lake. I’m sorry he hit you and I’m so relieved that neither of you are hurt, but don’t mind him. If I had a dollar for every time he’s yelled at people who haven’t done anything wrong, I’d be richer than him.”

Colten got up after she released him, hovering as she walked back to the counter and started unpacking the groceries. “What are you cooking tonight?”

“Lasagna,” she said excitedly, glancing at him and pumping her eyebrows. “It’s comfort food for me and I figured you could use a little comfort. It’s also not the easiest dish to make in really small portions for just one person, so it always feels like a waste to make it just for myself.”

As she separated the groceries into things she’d need tonight and other stuff to be packed away, Colten and I jumped in and helped take things to the pantry or the fridge. Those golden eyes of hers met mine as I walked back to the counter, softening as she raked them over me as if searching for injury.

“I’m so sorry he crashed into you,” she said quietly. “That man has always been an accident waiting to happen behind a steering wheel. If you ask me, his license should be revoked, but obviously, that’s not going to happen.”

“Don’t feel too bad for us,” I said. “The kicker is that he rear-ended his own truck, seeing as how it comes with the Manor for renters to use. It really is no skin off my back.”

She chuckled. “Is it bad that I’m really getting a kick out of that? Out of everyone around here whose property he could’ve damaged with his recklessness, it was his own. That’s brilliant. Karma really does have our backs.”

Colten came out of the pantry and pulled up at a stool at the island. He watched carefully when she started with the lasagna and peppered her with questions as the process continued. “Are you sure the recipe calls for that much salt? Shouldn’t the layers be a little deeper? Is it, uh, supposed to smell like that?”

She answered them all good-naturedly, but when she turned away to check the oven, I nudged him. “Let her cook. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

Thankfully, she didn’t hear me and his worry about the dish seemed to have gone over her head. When he went off to set the table and she began with a salad, my phone rang and my heart leaped when I saw Walt’s name on the screen.

“I need to take this,” I muttered, sliding my thumb across the green bar as I strode out of the kitchen. “Walter? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.”

A pit of worry formed in my stomach. “Are you sure? You sound kind of off.”

“Worrywart,” he teased, but even that lacked its usual luster. “You worry too much. I really am fine. Better than fine, actually.”

I frowned, walking to the sliding doors leading out to the balcony and peering at the lake beyond. “How do you know that?”

Walter chuckled. “Well, for starters, they keep a close eye on us here, as you know. I just got my bloodwork done today and the doctor said that I’m fit as a fiddle. For an old man anyway.”

“What’s going on then?” I asked, that worry still nagging at my gut. “I know there’s something, so spit it out.”

“There is something, but it’s not about me,” he said carefully. “I’m calling because someone showed up here today looking for you. Someone I really wasn’t expecting.”

“Who?” I asked, half distracted when I turned back to the kitchen to see Jewel pouring something into a pot on the stove while Colten scrunched up his nose.

“Kaitlin,” Walter said and I spun back to the windows instantly, my stomach going ice cold at the mention of my ex’s name.

“What the hell was she doing there?” I asked. “Why would she be trying to track me down after all this time? Unless, of course, her guilty conscience has finally caught up with her. It only took her ten years to reach out to check on her own damn son.”

“Uh, no.” He sighed heavily. “She didn’t even ask about him, son. It sounds like she knows about your inheritance. She seemed to remember that you were supposed to get it all when you turned thirty, and obviously, she knows how old you are. I think she’s sniffing around to see if she can cash in on some of it for herself. I just wanted to warn you.”

“Fuck.” I cursed under my breath, exhaling through my nostrils before I nodded. “Thanks for letting me know. I’m pretty sure you’re right about her intentions. I should’ve seen something like this coming.”

“Kaitlin always has been the gift that keeps on giving,” he said lightly. “I should be turning in soon. You have a good night, my boy. Send my love to Colt.”

“I will,” I promised before ending the call. Then I took a minute to collect myself before heading over to the table where Jewel and Colten were sitting down to eat.

Once again, the meal was atrocious but the salad was crisp and fresh. I managed a few bites of the lasagna, happy to have the salad to wash it down with. Meanwhile, Jewel’s tastebuds didn’t seem to pick up on the salt overload masquerading as pasta and she smiled at me.

“Is everything okay? You’ve been a little quiet since you took that call.”

“Yeah.” I glanced at Colten, but I knew I had to be truthful here. If Kaitlin was after some of that money, she wouldn’t stop at the senior living facility. There was every possibility she’d be waiting naked in my bed when we got back home or something equally ridiculous. “Walter warned me that Colt’s mom showed up. Apparently, she’s been looking for us.”

The color drained from his cheeks and he pushed his plate away, ashen faced as he shook his head. “I just lost my appetite.”

Clever, I mused, knowing he was using this to get out of finishing the horribly salty meal, but he couldn’t fake how pale he’d gone. He truly was worried about his mother coming out of the woodwork, and if I had to be completely honest with myself, so was I.

Kaitlin Crew was selfish, greedy, and didn’t even know the meaning of the word empathy. Jewel gave me a curious, confused look, but I glanced at Colten once more, not wanting to get into the nitty-gritty in front of him.

All he had to know was that she’d shown up and that it might happen again. He definitely didn’t need to know that I was far more worried about what she was up to than about what Dallas was going to do next. Compared to her, the local idiot—as Jewel had correctly termed him—was as tame as a newborn puppy.

Kaitlin, on the other hand, was trouble. And apparently, that trouble was headed directly for me.