Chapter Twenty-One – Emeline #2
“It was pickup day. Parents and volunteers were everywhere, and Caden had the gate open. I couldn’t keep track of everyone who was there picking up, and I’m fairly certain no one else was paying close attention, either.
Now I need to talk to Mom about better security on pickup days.
We can’t be having just anyone drive onto the ranch. ”
“That’s scary,” Lilibeth said, taking down the towel wrapped around her hair. She began braiding it as she spoke. “Do you think you should ask if it was her?”
I nervously chewed my lip. “I could go back out there. It’s been a little while. What could they possibly be talking about?”
My sister sighed. “I’ve known Caroline since we were kids. Trust me, she always had a way of manipulating things, especially with Levi. Caden said that’s why Levi married her in the first place. If you think that pregnancy was an accident, think again.”
“I always thought she got pregnant on purpose,” Moreen added.
Kate nodded her head quickly. “Same.”
Lilibeth let out a soft sigh. “I don’t know her, so I have no input on this.”
“I know for a fact she got pregnant on purpose. I’m going to go out and confront her. If she did take the pictures, Levi needs to know.”
“That’s my sister! Let the Wilde in you come out!”
“I’m with Ensley, go confront her,” Kate said, pumping her fist in the air.
“Good luck!” Lilibeth and Moreen said at the same time.
“Thanks, guys. Love you all!”
“Text us with an update!” Moreen demanded before we said our goodbyes.
After hitting end, I set my phone down on the kitchen island, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled.
“Just go out there and ask her, Emeline,” I whispered. Another deep fortifying breath, and I marched back toward the garage and opened the door.
For half a second, I panicked. What if I saw something or heard something I didn’t want to hear? I stopped just outside the door. My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I was sure Levi and Caroline could hear it, too.
“You’re not going to sit back and let this woman take him again,” I whispered as I balled my fists and started toward the open bay door.
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but what I ultimately saw was Levi, standing with his arms crossed and a frown on his face, and Caroline pacing back and forth. I stepped back a bit, staying out of sight. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Levi, we were so good together!”
“We were not, Caroline, and you know it. You admitted to me that you got pregnant on purpose, just so we’d stay together. Plus, let’s not forget the whole cheating on me situation.”
“I had to get pregnant! I was going to lose you!”
“Are we done here? Emeline is waiting for me.”
I heard Caroline stop walking. “I always knew you had a thing for her! The way you showered her with attention and gifts made me sick. She was a baby!”
“What? She was a friend.”
“Are you saying you didn’t have feelings for her?”
“Of course I did, she was…”
My brows shot up. She was what? She was what?
The silence seemed to last forever.
“I won’t deny that if we hadn’t stayed together, something could have happened. I didn’t have all the feelings for Emeline back then that I do now…but maybe deep down, they were already there. I don’t know. We’ve always had a connection.”
“And I saw it, Levi. I saw how you looked at her and how she fawned all over you, even if no one else realized.”
I frowned. I did not fawn over Levi. Ugh, I couldn’t stand this woman.
“Are you saying Emeline was the reason you got pregnant?” he asked.
My hand flew up to my mouth as I waited for Caroline to answer.
“Not the entire reason. But yes, she was part of it. Her and Ensley both. I honestly couldn’t tell which one you liked.”
“Our entire relationship was built on lies and distrust. Can’t you see that?”
“You had a nickname for her! You never called me by any nickname. Then I find out you’re actually dating her. Sure didn’t take you long to move on with your new life, did it?”
“Says the person who cheated during our marriage, which has been over for years. I just didn’t want to admit it. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and being back in River Falls and dating Emeline are the reasons for that happiness. I’m not going to apologize for it.”
“So this is it? You’re not even going to try?”
“I did try! For a hell of a lot longer than I should have. Sign the divorce papers so we can both get on with our lives!”
I heard her heels clicking on the pavement, a car door open, then slam shut. “Here’s your precious freedom if you want it so bad!”
It sounded like she tossed papers at him. “They’re signed?”
I peeked to see Levi going through the papers.
“Yes! I signed it, okay!” Caroline shouted. “That should make you happy.”
He looked up at her. “We can arrange a meeting with a judge about visitation if you want.”
“I’m moving.”
My head started to spin. What in the hell was wrong with her?
With a humorless laugh, he asked, “Now you’re suddenly moving?”
I decided I’d done enough snooping. This woman was trying to play games, and I was tired of standing in the shadows. I pushed away from the truck and walked out of the garage.
Caroline saw me first and shot me a dirty look. When Levi spotted me, he held out his hand, and my heart tripped over itself. We laced our fingers together and both turned to look at his ex.
She sneered, then rolled her eyes. “I’m moving to Italy, so I won’t be seeking custody of Rhett. Besides, he was always closer to you than to me.”
I was positive my mouth dropped to the ground. “You’re just going to up and leave your son?” I asked. “Only minutes ago, you wanted to see him.”
“This has nothing to do with you, Em.”
“It has everything to do with her. She’s a part of my life; therefore, she’s part of Rhett’s life.”
Caroline rolled her eyes again.
This was my chance. I had to know if she was the one sending the pictures to the paper.
“Why did you send those pictures to Janet?”
Levi’s head swiveled, and he gaped at me. Before he could say anything, Caroline spoke.
“How did you know it was me?”
Now he was staring at Caroline. “Wait—you sent the pictures?”
I cleared my throat. “I didn’t know it was you until I saw your car. I remembered seeing it on two of the occasions the pictures were snapped.”
“Fucking hell, Caroline. What is wrong with you?” Levi asked.
She shrugged. “I thought if I kept you both in the papers, you’d eventually realize that being with someone so much younger than you wasn’t worth it. It would be that much easier for me to come back.”
Levi removed his hand from mine and wrapped his arm around my waist. “You need to leave now.”
She shrugged again. “I had to at least try before I left.”
A part of me felt sorry for the woman standing before me. She’d lied to get Levi to marry her, lost her daughter in an accident, and was now going to cut her only living child out of her life. And for what reason?
Moving her gaze from Levi to me, Caroline lifted her chin. “Have fun with my sloppy seconds.”
I didn’t even bother acknowledging that comment. Just smiled contentedly.
When Caroline realized I wasn’t going to engage, she started her car and drove slowly down the driveway. I’d half expected her to peel out.
I watched until I could no longer see the red taillights.
Levi turned and scrubbed both hands over his face and let out a frustrated growl. “I cannot believe she’s going to just walk away from Rhett. What the fuck is wrong with her? I thought she just needed some time to work things out in her head.”
My heart hurt for both Levi and Rhett.
Looking back down the driveway, he said, “But this is good. It’s better that she just leaves and Rhett never sees her again.”
I placed my hand on his arm and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m sorry, Levi.”
He looked at me, and his somber expression slowly eased, a soft smile appearing. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Standing by my side just now. You could have taken one look at Caroline and left, or…I don’t know. You didn’t. And I appreciate that more than you know.”
I reached up and kissed him. “I know you’re acting like you’re glad she’s gone, and I’m sure a part of you is. I also know another part of you is hurting for Rhett…and for Brooke and all that you have lost.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Thank God Rhett wasn’t here tonight.”
“I’m glad he wasn’t as well. He would have been very confused.”
Levi exhaled.
“Let’s go inside—we have ice cream sundaes to make.”
He took my hand, and we headed through the garage and into the house. He shut both doors and locked up.
He seemed a million miles away, so I quickly got to work making sundaes. We’d bought paper bowls and plastic spoons at the store, since Levi didn’t have any dishes.
“I can’t believe you figured out it was Caroline taking the photos.”
“When I saw her car, I realized I’d seen it before. I simply put two and two together. I’m just surprised she admitted it.”
He looked tired. I slid the bowl over to him, and he took it absentmindedly, starting to eat.
I set my spoon down and walked around the kitchen island, putting my finger on Levi’s chin and forcing him to look at me.
“You know what I think we should do?”
“Finish our ice cream?”
“No,” I whispered as I shook my head. “I think we should blow up that fancy mattress, take a shower, and get some sleep.”
He closed his eyes. “That sounds like heaven.”
I took his bowl, along with mine, and tossed them in the trash.
Levi stood, took my hand, and led us to his bedroom, which was on the other side of the house.
While he blew up the mattress, I unpacked some towels and soap that Levi’s mother, Sam, bought.
By the time I walked back into the bedroom—I stopped when I saw Levi passed out sleeping on the blowup.
He’d managed to get a sheet on it, and that was it.
I kicked off my sneakers, pulled off my jeans, and grabbed a blanket. Crawling onto the bed, I snuggled in next to him. He didn’t even wake up.
I covered us up and watched Levi’s chest rise and fall until my eyes slowly began to close, and I drifted off to sleep.