Chapter 62 Astrid
ASTRID
I’m still fuming in the days that follow, and Seán and I are barely speaking.
He feels justified in speaking to me how he did because I’m being na?ve and someone needs to tell it to me straight.
His words, not mine. At least things have settled at work.
After the meeting with Travis and Callan yesterday morning, I got Seán to agree to drop all talk of firing GH Construction.
Riley and Dave are my on-site points of contact from now on.
It was a good solution to the situation we all find ourselves in.
My fiancé has promised he won’t do anything to my ex, but I’m not sure I believe him.
I’m seeing a side of him I don’t like.
It’s not that I don’t understand. I’d be butthurt if the tables were turned, but it still doesn’t give him the right to speak to me the way he did, and stubbornly refusing to apologize for “speaking the truth” isn’t helping either.
By Wednesday evening, I’m sick of the tension between us, and I decide to reach out the olive branch first. So, I stop by the store on my way home from work to pick up groceries for a romantic dinner.
I climb out of my new rental and grab my purse before locking the car and striding toward the entrance. After grabbing a basket, I turn around, coming face-to-face with Roni Hunt.
“Astrid. I heard you were back in town,” she says, but I scarcely hear the words because my gaze is fixed on the little girl with long black hair clinging to Roni’s hand.
A messy lump clogs my throat, and my heart is pounding like crazy.
Hazel eyes stare back at me from behind long dark lashes, and it’s like looking at her father.
Except for the hair, Darcy is the spitting image of Callan.
Guess that blows my theory out the window.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what Callan said when he dropped me home Monday night. I had wondered if the child wasn’t his and whether he only found out later. Of course, that theory raised other questions, but it was off the mark anyway. There is no doubt Darcy shares Callan’s DNA.
“Darcy, this is Astrid,” Roni says.
I snap out of my fugue state and raise my eyes, appalled I was just staring at her like that and ignoring whatever Roni was saying to me.
Compassion splays across Roni’s face. Apart from some fine lines around her eyes and a few extra pounds, she has barely changed since I last saw her. She looks good. “Astrid’s family were our neighbors,” she continues, smiling affectionately at her granddaughter. “And she knows your daddy.”
“I know, Nanny,” she says in a much quieter tone than the tone she used on the call with Callan the other night.
She presses her body against Roni, holding on to her for dear life as she looks up.
“Daddy has lots of pictures of her in his bedroom,” she whispers, but it’s loud enough for me to hear.
“I found them in his drawer, and he said she was the one who got away.” Her brow creases. “What does that mean, Nan?”
I’m rooted to the spot, staring in shock at Roni.
Her gaze flits to mine for a second before lowering to her granddaughter.
“You need to ask your daddy about that. Let him explain.” Roni hugs the little girl to her while looking at me.
Her eyes fill with tears. “It’s so good to see you again, Astrid. You look so beautiful.”
“Like a fairy princess,” Darcy whispers, glancing at me for a second before burying her face in Roni’s skirt.
“She’s a little shy meeting new people.” Roni bends down to kiss the top of her head. “But she’s such a good girl.”
I realize I haven’t spoken a single word, and I clear my throat. “She looks like Callan.”
“Yes.” Roni nods, trying to convey something with her eyes. “And her cousin Rory. Dara’s five-year-old.”
“How is Dara? And Erin and Tony?”
“They’re all good. Dara is an oncology doctor at a private hospital in Dublin.
He’s a single father too, though Rory lives with his mum most of the time, and Dara takes him on days when he’s not working or on call.
Tony was promoted again at work, and he’s a director now.
He dotes on this one.” She ruffles Darcy’s hair, and I notice she’s watching me with curiosity in her eyes.
“Erin will be entering her final year at the University of Vermont in August. She wants to be a vet.”
“Wow, everyone is doing so well. You must be proud.”
“I surely am.”
“And how about you? You’re doing okay?”
“Couldn’t be better. This one keeps me on my toes, and I have a part-time job at the bookstore in town. I work there four mornings a week while Darcy is at school. I pick her up for Callan, and we do homework and go out on our bikes and do other fun stuff, don’t we, love?”
Darcy nods, blushing a little as she continues staring at me.
“How is your mum and dad and your sisters? Are they still in Sweden?”
“Yes. They built a house on Mormor’s land, and they reopened their businesses in Ystad, but Dad is due to retire in a couple of years. Freja is a model, and Alma is in college in Stockholm. She’s studying to be an archaeologist.”
“It’s great to hear they are all doing well. Please tell your parents I was asking for them. I think of them often. You too.” Her gaze lowers to where I’m gripping my basket, centering on my engagement ring. “Callan mentioned you were engaged. I’m happy you’re happy.”
Could’ve fooled me by the sad look on her face.
“Thank you.”
“Have you set a date yet?”
“No. We’ve been busy with work, but it’ll probably be next year sometime.”
“I’m thrilled you’re living your dream. I knew you’d be successful. You were always so driven.”
“Thanks, Roni. It’s all going according to plan, and I’m hoping to set up my own design firm next year.”
“I’m sure it’ll be a huge success. You have so many followers on Instagram, and your content is always out of this world.”
“You follow me on Insta?” I’m sure the disbelief is evident on my face and in my tone. “How did you even find me?” It’s a generic page name, and there is nothing identifying it as me. Though lately, I’ve been considering adding my name. It will be necessary when I start my own business.
“Callan sent me the link years ago.”
I stare at her, dumbfounded. “Callan follows me?”
“We all do. We’re so proud of you.”
I’m stunned by the admission, and I don’t know what to do with it. “Um, look, it’s been great catching up, Roni, but I need to go. My fiancé will be home soon, and the cabinets are empty.” My laugh sounds false to my ears.
“I hope I haven’t said anything to upset you.”
“No, of course not. I’ve just got to go.”
“If you’re in need of any new books, stop by the store. I’ll pass on the staff discount.”
“I wish I had the time to read these days, but thank you for offering. It’s kind.” Gawd, this is awkward, and I just want to get away. “Bye, Roni.” I smile at Callan’s daughter. “Goodbye, Darcy.”
She wiggles her fingers and smiles before clutching Roni’s hand again.
“Don’t be a stranger, love.” Roni kisses my cheek. “Our door is always open to you,” she adds before they leave.
“Well, that looked cringey as fuck.” Another voice from the past fills my ears, and I whip my head around to the woman, surrounded by four children, standing to one side of the door.
I barely recognize her from high school in her yoga pants, oversized shirt, and sneakers. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, there isn’t a scrap of makeup on her face, it looks like she’s sporting a large ketchup stain on her top, and she has tattoos all over her arms. “Ana?”
“In the flesh.” She grins as she herds the two boys and two girls in my direction. “I heard you were back in town, and I was hoping to bump into you.”
“That seems to be the motto these days.”
“You grew up here. You know how it goes. You can’t fart in Ryemont without someone reporting it.”
“Mom, you said a rude word,” the smallest girl says.
“And look, the sky hasn’t fallen down on us.” Ana ruffles her hair.
I arch a brow.
“Look, I know you’re probably busy, but let me dump the kids at home with their dad and meet you at the coffee shop. We need to talk.”
“That’s also the town motto,” I murmur.
“I owe you a huge apology, and I’ve waited years to say my piece. The coffee and cake are on me.”
“If this is about Gwen, I already figured that out.”
“Please, Astrid. Ten, fifteen minutes of your time, and I won’t bug you again.”
Seán has already texted to say he’ll be late home, so I might as well hear what she has to say. Ana was never the type to accept “no.”
“Fine, but don’t make me regret this.”
“Go get your groceries, and I’ll meet you at Rumors Café in fifteen.”
I arrive before Ana and order a black coffee, taking a seat at a table by the window, stirring my drink as I watch the townsfolk rush around at the end of the day.
I have missed Ryemont. I loved growing up here, and I never thought I’d settle in any place but my hometown.
Being back here is surreal. In one way, it feels like I’ve never left.
In another, it feels like it’s been longer than eight years since I was last here.
I can’t stop thinking about the things Darcy and Roni said.
It’s completely puzzling. Why does Callan have pictures of me in his bedroom, and why did he say I was the one who got away?
And following my Insta page for years—what is that all about?
He said he never cheated, yet Darcy is clearly his biological child.
I’m so confused.
Nothing makes sense anymore, and I shouldn’t be preoccupied with Callan, but I can’t stop my thoughts from returning to him any time my mind wanders.
Guilt is the new demon on my shoulder, reminding me I should be focused on my fiancé and not thinking anything about my ex.
That’s the problem when questions go unanswered.
My brain will continue to torture me until I know the truth.
I think I need to speak to him, but how will I sell it to Seán without it causing another argument?