19. Heath
CHAPTER 19
heath
I had a crisis at the resort, so I was late getting to the farmer’s market, where Juno was waiting for me.
Alexa was to drop her off, and I would pick her up. When I texted Juno that I was running late, she sent me back a thumbs-up emoji.
Now that summer was in full swing, so was the market, bustling with a vibrant, chaotic energy. Booths lined the street, filled with fresh produce, handmade jewelry, and overpriced artisanal candles that tourists bought by the dozen. Locals mingled with out-of-towners, chatting about the weather, the trails, and everything in between. It was the kind of scene I’d come to appreciate since moving here—a blend of community and energy that reminded me that maybe a small town wasn’t all bad.
I was walking through the stalls, looking for Juno, when I spotted Sable first. She was standing near a booth selling wildflower honey, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and her shoulders rigid. I frowned, slowing my steps.
That’s when I saw Alexa. She was facing Sable, her chin lifted in that haughty way she always got when she was spoiling for a fight. Juno was standing off to the side, her arms wrapped around herself like she wanted to disappear into the crowd.
“I guess it would’ve been too much to ask for you to be a decent person. You’re sabotaging my business, and now this,” Sable snapped at my ex.
I’d never seen Sable like this. Sharp, biting, unmistakably rude. Alexa’s smile vanished, and I saw fury in her eyes.
“How dare you say that?” Alexa almost screeched.
Sable was about to speak when Juno put a hand on her shoulder. “Sable, please.”
“No, Juno, it isn’t right.” Sable shrugged Juno’s hand away, and my daughter looked crushed.
I saw red .
What the hell was Sable doing?
People were staring, their whispers buzzing like angry bees around us. I didn’t give a shit. No one, but no one was rude to my daughter, not especially a woman who I was about to dump.
I grabbed Sable by the arm, ignoring her startled expression.
“We’re walking away now ,” I said through gritted teeth, pulling her from the crowd.
She stumbled slightly, but I didn’t let go until we were far enough from Alexa and Juno to avoid more of a scene. But not far enough to escape the eyes of Aspen.
“What the hell was that?” I hissed, my voice low but furious.
Sable yanked her arm out of my grip, her eyes blazing. “That was me?—”
“Actually, I don’t give a shit. Juno was standing right there, Sable. My daughter. And you thought antagonizing her mother in public was a good idea? And when she tried to stop you, you?—”
“Heath, listen?—”
“No,” I growled. “I’m sick and tired of you blaming Alexa and the town and how they fucking treat you for the Wildflower failing.”
Sable stopped struggling against my grip, so I let my hand drop away from her. Her eyes went wide and then blank. Guilt tried to raise its head inside me, but I was furious at Sable for letting her insecurities hurt my daughter.
“This isn’t about Alexa.” I couldn’t stop myself from going nose-to-nose with her. “This is about you. You put on a nice act, babe, but it’s obvious that you deserved all that you got in high school and even now.”
She went pale and took a step away from me.
I wasn’t done.
“You know what, Sable,” I said, my voice loud enough that the crowd could hear, but I didn’t give a flying fuck. “Your tavern is struggling because you’re inexperienced. You don’t know what you’re doing, and instead of fixing that, you’re blaming everyone else. Do you think this is Alexa’s fault? No, Sable. This is on you.”
I could feel the crowd’s attention, the sharp sting of their judgment. I was making a scene, and I should shut up and take this to a private place. But it was too late now. And the hell with it. Sable started this by confronting Alexa in front of Juno.
Sable’s face crumpled for half a second before she pulled herself together, straightening her spine.
“In case you’re wondering, we’re finished,” I threw at her.
Her lips trembled, and tears brimmed in her eyes. “Well, you certainly put me in my place.”
“Don’t talk to my kid ever fucking again,” I thundered.
She turned and walked away, her shoulders stiff, her head high.
I stood there, my chest heaving, my fists still clenched. For a moment, I felt justified. She’d hurt Juno. I’d done what I had to do.
I turned and saw Juno.
She was standing next to Alexa, her arms still wrapped around herself, her face pale. But it wasn’t Alexa’s usual smugness that caught my attention—it was how Juno looked at me.
With disgust.
My stomach dropped. Fuck. I’d just compounded the shit show by doing this in public.
“Juno,” I started, taking a step toward her, but she shook her head .
“Don’t,” she said quietly, her voice trembling. “Just...don’t. I want to go home.” She held out her hand, and I gave her the Jeep keys.
The crowd dispersed, the volume of the conversations higher. I’d given the town a whole lot of fodder to gossip about.
Alexa stepped forward, her expression carefully neutral, but I could see the glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
“Well,” she said smoothly, “that was...messy.”
“You need to stop doing this in public and in front of our daughter.”
“Well, control your slut, Heath. She started it.”
I wanted to tell her not to call Sable that, but I didn’t. I was still angry as hell with Sable.
I didn’t want to argue with Alexa. The way I felt right now, I would regret what I said. So, I went to the Jeep and drove Juno home.
Throughout the drive, no matter how much I coaxed her, my daughter refused to speak to me.
Finally, when we got home, and before she locked herself in her room, Juno spoke softly, “Today, I lost respect for you, Daddy.”