Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
Chloe stood on her veranda as Oscar walked back to Owen and Harper’s house with them. Oscar was clutching his favorite dinosaur toy, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Chloe. When he turned and waved at her, she forced a smile and waved back. Once her neighbor’s front door closed, her smile faded, replaced by a mask of worry she couldn’t shake off.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself. The text from her ex-husband had thrown her off balance.
“We should talk. I need to see Oscar. It’s been too long.”
The words looped in her mind, each repetition tightening the knot in her stomach. She knew this day might come, but she’d hoped it wouldn’t be so soon—or ever.
Pulling her jacket tighter around herself, Chloe headed down the street to The Lakeview Café. She needed to talk to someone who knew about her past. Someone who’d rebuilt her own life after her world had collapsed.
Kathleen would understand how she was feeling and know what she should do next. She’d been married for more than thirty years to a man she adored. When he’d passed away unexpectedly, Kathleen had rebuilt her life and found a new kind of normal—a lot like Chloe and Oscar had done.
The cool air nipped at her cheeks, and the vibrant leaves crunching underfoot reminded Chloe of the changes in her life—some welcome, others not.
By the time she arrived at the café, she’d almost talked herself out of going inside. Even though it was nearly closing time, Kathleen had a lot of things to do. It wasn’t fair taking up her time and expecting her to have the answers to Chloe’s problems.
The bell above the café door jingled as Kathleen opened the door. “I thought I saw you on the sidewalk, Chloe. Is everything okay?”
“Not really, but I’ll be all right.”
Kathleen frowned. “You wouldn’t be standing here if everything was all right. Come in.”
Chloe let go of the breath she was holding and followed her friend inside. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee tickled her nose and reminded her of her mom’s kitchen.
Kathleen took some menus off an empty table and sent Chloe a searching look. “Is Oscar okay?”
“He’s fine.” She attempted a smile, but it faltered. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Of course, I do. Our last customers aren’t in a hurry to leave. While I’m grabbing us some coffee, find a seat and I’ll be there soon.”
Chloe wove through the tables to a corner booth, away from the other people in the café.
When Kathleen joined her, she sat opposite Chloe. “What’s going on?” she asked gently.
Chloe’s fingers nervously traced the rim of the coffee mug Kathleen had placed in front of her. “Paul sent me a text today.”
Kathleen’s eyes widened. “What did it say?”
“He wants to see Oscar,” Chloe replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “He says it’s been too long and that we need to talk.”
Kathleen reached across the table and placed a reassuring hand over Chloe’s. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m scared,” she admitted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “What if he tries to take Oscar away from me? Legally, he has rights as his father, but after everything that’s happened... I don’t trust him.”
Kathleen squeezed her hand. “Did you talk to your lawyer about what to do if this happened?”
Chloe nodded. “When we first separated, I did. She said unless there’s evidence he’s an unfit parent, he’s entitled to visitation rights. But you know how unstable he was—his gambling, the affairs... I don’t want Oscar exposed to that.”
“Has he been in contact at all since you moved here?” Kathleen asked.
“No,” Chloe said, shaking her head. “This is the first time. I thought maybe he’d moved on.”
Kathleen looked thoughtful. “People can change, but I don’t blame you for being cautious. Do you think there’s another reason he wants to see Oscar?”
“I don’t know.” Chloe sighed. “Part of me wonders if he’s really interested in being a father now, or if there’s something else he wants. Maybe he’s trying to look good for when he takes me back to court, or perhaps he’s in some kind of trouble.”
Kathleen frowned. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. Have you told anyone else?”
“Not yet,” Chloe replied. “I don’t want to worry my parents and I haven’t figured out how to bring it up with anyone else. Pastor John would understand, but he’s so busy. The only other person I’d talk to is Liam, but I don’t want to burden him with my past.”
Kathleen gave her a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to protect everyone by keeping things to yourself. Your friends are here for you—including Liam. He cares about you.”
“I know,” Chloe said softly. “But this is so personal, and I don’t want to drag him into my mess.”
“You’re not dragging anyone anywhere,” Kathleen insisted. “Sharing what’s going on isn’t a burden. It’s how we help each other.”
Chloe looked down at her mug, watching the steam swirl upward. “Maybe you’re right. I just feel so overwhelmed.”
“I understand how you’re feeling,” Kathleen said. “But let’s take it one step at a time. I really think you should talk to your lawyer again, just to know where you stand. Depending on what she says, respond to Paul carefully. Maybe suggest a phone call to see what he’s after.”
Chloe nodded slowly. “You’re right. I need to be prepared.”
“Just remember that whatever happens, you’re a wonderful mom. Anyone can see how happy Oscar is because of you.”
A small smile tugged at Chloe’s lips. “Thanks, Kathleen. That means a lot.”
Kathleen leaned back in her seat. “How about we make a plan after you’ve talked to your lawyer? And if you decide to meet with Paul, you don’t have to do it alone.”
“I just wish this wasn’t happening now,” Chloe told her friend. “Things have been going so well. Oscar is settled, and... well, Liam and I...”
Kathleen’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “How are things going with him?”
Chloe felt her cheeks warm. “It’s been nice. He’s kind and Oscar adores him, but he isn’t staying in Sapphire Bay. I don’t want to be more than friends if he isn’t here for the long haul. And now with Paul… I don’t know what to do.”
“Don’t let your ex-husband disrupt what you’ve found here,” Kathleen advised gently. “You deserve to be happy.”
“I’ll try.” Chloe took a deep breath. “I guess I have a lot to think about.”
Kathleen stood and pulled her into a comforting hug. “You don’t have to figure it all out today. Just know that you’re not alone.”
“Thank you,” Chloe whispered, hugging her back tightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Good thing you don’t have to find out,” Kathleen teased as they pulled apart. “Now, how about a slice of that chocolate cake you love?”
Chloe smiled. “You always know how to make me feel better.”
“Perks of being your friend,” Kathleen said with a wink. “I’ll be right back.”
As Kathleen headed toward the kitchen, Chloe settled back into the booth. Sharing her fears hadn’t solved the problem, but it made the burden feel a little lighter.
Her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it, half expecting another message from Paul. But this text was from Liam.
Hey, just wanted to see how you’re doing. Thought maybe we could take Trixie and Oscar for a walk after dinner if you’re free?
A warmth spread through her chest. Typing back, she wrote, Hi Liam, that sounds nice. Let me get back to you in a few minutes?
No rush, he replied . Take your time Just thinking of you.
Chloe smiled at his thoughtfulness. Maybe Kathleen was right—she didn’t have to face this alone.
Liam and Chloe strolled along the path surrounding Flathead Lake. Oscar was ahead of them, throwing a stick for Trixie to fetch. Normally, Chloe would enjoy the excited laughter coming from her son, but today it looked as though her mind was somewhere else.
“It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” Liam asked her.
Chloe sent him a small smile. “Sapphire Bay is gorgeous in the fall.”
He studied her face, hoping he hadn’t put the distant look in her eyes. “You seem a little preoccupied. Is everything okay?”
She hesitated, then sighed. “I guess I haven’t been very good at hiding it, have I?”
“Not really,” he said gently. “Is it about the messages you got earlier?”
Chloe watched Oscar and Trixie play along the shore. “The texts were from Paul—my ex-husband. He wants to see Oscar.”
Liam frowned. “Was that unexpected?”
She nodded. “I haven’t heard from him since our divorce was finalized. Now, out of the blue, he wants to spend time with Oscar.”
“How do you feel about that?” he asked carefully.
Chloe took a deep breath. “Anxious. Worried. There’s a lot about Paul that you don’t know.”
“Would it help if you told me?”
Chloe nodded and bit her bottom lip. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. “When I first met Paul, he was charming, ambitious, and full of life. We got married and, for a while, things were good. But then he changed. He’d come home late and he became secretive. After a while, I realized money was disappearing from our bank accounts. When I asked him where it had gone, he always had a convoluted story that made enough sense for me not to worry.”
Chloe buried her hands in her jacket and looked away from him. When her gaze returned to Liam’s, there was a deep sadness in her eyes that he’d never seen before.
“I discovered Paul had a gambling addiction,” she continued quietly. “He was spending all our savings, accumulating debts. I tried to help him. I found a community support group and a counselor, but he refused to admit he had a problem.” She swallowed hard. “And then I found out he was having affairs. Multiple ones. It felt like my entire world was falling apart.”
Liam’s heart sank. “I’m so sorry. That must have been terrible.”
“It was,” she admitted, her voice tinged with lingering hurt. “Paul and I were constantly arguing. I asked him to get help, but he didn’t want to. In the end, I left and moved to Sapphire Bay. I’ve worked hard to build a stable, happy life for Oscar. But now, with Paul reaching out, I’m scared he’ll try to take Oscar away from me.”
“Have you spoken to a lawyer?” Liam asked.
“Not yet,” she replied. “I spoke to my friend Kathleen, and she asked the same thing.”
He nodded. “Knowing your legal standing might make your next steps easier.”
“I think so, too.” Chloe sighed. “Thanks for listening. My life has become a lot more complicated, and I didn’t want to burden you with any of this.”
“It’s not a burden,” he assured her. “I care about you and Oscar.”
Her eyes softened. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you, but I’m glad I did.”
He smiled gently. “I’m glad you realized you can trust me.”
Just then, Oscar ran up to them, Trixie trotting happily beside him. “Mom! Liam! Look at this rock I found!”
Chloe kneeled in front of her son, admiring the small, bright blue rock in his hand. “It’s so pretty.”
“Can I keep it?”
“Of course you can,” Chloe told him. “It can be your lucky charm.”
Oscar beamed and stuffed the rock into his pocket before dashing back to the shoreline with Trixie.
As they resumed their walk, Liam glanced at Chloe. “Do you think Paul has changed?”
“I honestly don’t know. Part of me wants to believe he can change. But after everything that happened, I’m not sure he’s capable of being a better person.”
“Whatever happens, a lot of people are here to support you, including me.”
Chloe’s smile was good to see. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
As they continued along the path, the sun dipped closer to the tops of the trees around the lake. Liam felt a deepening sense of connection—not just to Sapphire Bay, but to the woman walking beside him.
“I’m glad you asked if Oscar and I wanted to come for a walk,” Chloe said. “I feel better knowing I can talk to you.”
He reached out and held her hand in his. “Even when I’m not here, I’ll only be a phone call away.”
Chloe’s smile disappeared. “I’ll miss you when you leave.”
Liam felt a pang in his chest. He cared about Chloe more than anyone he’d met in a long time. “Maybe I don’t have to leave so soon,” he said softly, searching her eyes.
Chloe looked up at him, surprise and hope flickering across her face. “What do you mean?”
He took a slow breath. “I’d like to spend more time with you and Oscar, and be here for the Christmas events everyone’s planning.”
“Are you sure you can stay?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “It wouldn’t be for forever, but it’d give us a chance to spend more time together.”
She smiled, the worry in her eyes giving way to something brighter. “I’d like that.”
Liam brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin. “Since I met you, Sapphire Bay has felt like home.”
Chloe’s eyes glistened as she met his gaze. “Does that scare you?”
“More than I thought,” he admitted. “After my last relationship ended, it was easier to keep moving. That way, I didn’t have to risk getting hurt again. But I don’t want to live like that anymore.”
Chloe’s hands tightened around his. “I felt the same way after my divorce. I didn’t think I’d be able to trust anyone ever again. But then I met you, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Liam’s heart pounded. “Chloe,” he murmured, taking a small step closer.
She didn’t move away. Instead, she tilted her head, her eyes reflecting the same mix of emotions he felt—hope, affection, and a hint of vulnerability.
Summoning his courage, Liam leaned closer, giving her every chance to pull away. When she didn’t, he closed the remaining distance and pressed his lips gently against hers. The kiss was soft and tender, a quiet promise shared between them.
After a moment, they parted, both of them smiling shyly.
Liam tightened his hold on Chloe’s hand. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with you.”
She leaned forward and kissed him again. “So am I.”
“Mom! Liam! Come look at this!” Oscar’s excited voice rang out from ahead.
They turned to see Oscar waving energetically, Trixie wagging her tail beside him.
Liam grinned. “We’d better see what treasure he’s found this time.”
Chloe nodded, her eyes still holding that newfound sparkle. “It’ll be another colored pebble. He finds at least three each time we come to the lake.”
As they walked hand-in-hand toward Oscar, a sense of rightness filled Liam’s chest. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they could face them together.