Chapter 3
Chapter Three
CORA
Our accommodation options were the Dusty Armadillo Hotel or the largest house I’d ever seen in my life. And because Jason was the one in charge of that, he’d chosen the house.
We’d argued, and he’d won because I had to admit staying in a place with “dusty” in the name didn’t sound appealing at all. I’m sure the owners were trying to be cute, but as far as business decisions went, it wasn’t the smartest idea.
After we’d chosen our rooms and placed our bags in them, Thomas had done his security sweep and we’d all gone to bed.
But even as tired as I was, I found myself wide awake just a little before the sun would make its appearance.
I shuffled into the opulent, granite and stainless-steel kitchen, and started the coffee-making process.
If the guys were as tired as I was, it was a two-pot day—minimum.
Once the coffee was brewing, I walked to the French doors and marveled at the enormous, immaculate backyard complete with an inground pool, a hot tub, and a small lazy river. Beyond that, there was a private airstrip.
“Unbelievable,” I whispered to myself.
At least a dozen bluebonnet-filled ceramic pots were littered all around the covered patio. To the right was a full kitchen, and to the left, a massive fireplace. A wicker and cushion patio set sat between them, and in the center, a fire pit.
Whoever designed this place didn’t skimp on the luxury even a little.
Truly gorgeous, but all I could think about was the poor housekeeper. I sure hoped the windows were sealed well. I couldn’t imagine trying to dust the place if not.
Maya would have been living in the pool.
She was such a water baby. We’d been estranged for months, so I was used to not talking to her every day.
But this was different. This was permanent.
The hollow ache in my chest reminded me that I’d never get the chance to fix things between us.
Never get the chance to tell her I loved her ever again.
We were supposed to grow old and move to Florida.
We were supposed to… not leave this earth as strangers.
My phone lit up and slowly crawled along the kitchen countertop. I quickly walked over, picked it up, and smiled.
I just got your text!
While Jason was hospitalized, I’d gotten to know his sister, Anna. The woman was a larger-than-life fashionista. Needless to say, she was always impeccably dressed and one of my best friends. I loved her, even if she was rude to me the first time we met.
To be fair, I’d later learned Jason had barked orders at her and was forcing her to get married to Ari Kalantzis. I’d have been more than just a little rude if that’d happened to me.
I had found out not long ago that she was pregnant. Talk about glowing.
I know you’ve been dealing with morning sickness… it was late…
My phone immediately began ringing, and I answered. “Hey.”
“Your sister died, and she left you her baby. I don’t care if I’m on death’s door, you call me.”
I smiled. “I’m sorry.” I hadn’t even wept for her yet. Everything happened so fast that I’d yet to let myself fall apart. She was all the family I had left in the world.
“When’s your sister’s funeral?”
“This afternoon at the Lost City Bar and Grill.” A Grave Sons hangout, naturally. “My sister always said she wanted something small with just friends.”
I wasn’t sure how Colter planned to pull that off, given what kind of man he was, but I’d be there.
Someone needed to remember her for the joy she brought to the world, not the nightmare she’d been trapped in.
Showing up might not help my custody case, but I needed Colter to see that I wasn’t backing down. I was here, and I was ready to fight.
“What time?”
“There is no way Ari, your brother, or I would allow you to come to a funeral at a bar.” Especially Ari. That man was protective of her before she got pregnant. He’d become militant the last time I saw them.
“Fine,” she said with a groan. “How’s your nephew? Is he okay?”
“I haven’t met him yet. Ms. Chen is supposed to send me an email with all the information. All I know so far is that I have a court hearing tomorrow at nine in the morning.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Anna said, her voice full of hope. “What’s his name?”
“Elias.”
Anna sucked in a soft breath. “Oh, it’s beautiful. I love it.” I felt a sudden shift and I could almost see her smiling. “Our kids can grow up together.”
I swallowed hard. “That sounds… nice.” But the ache in my chest reminded me how impossible everything felt.
“Call me after the funeral,” she said gently. “I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I will.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
The line clicked off just as I returned to the French doors to catch the sun beginning to peek over the fence, lighting up a baby blue sky dotted with puffy clouds.
I took a deep breath, trying to let the beauty of the morning ease the ache in my chest. Perhaps there was comfort in knowing Maya loved bluebonnets, and the patio was bursting with them.
Maybe, in some small way, she would’ve smiled seeing this.
I couldn’t change the past, but I could give her son a chance at a better future.
The thought settled something inside me, if only for a moment.
“It’s gorgeous.”
I screamed and jumped, then turned to face Jason.
“Don’t sneak up on people like that!” I squeaked.
He held his hands up. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d heard me approaching. It wasn’t like I was being stealthy.”
“It’s okay.” I palmed the spot over my heart and took a deep breath. “I was just lost in thought.”
“I smelled the coffee…” His eyes roamed over me. “And I was awake…”
It suddenly dawned on me that I’d wandered into the kitchen in a midriff T-shirt and shorts. I hooked a thumb towards the stairs. “I’ll go get on something more appropriate.”
His gaze traveled from the top of my head to my bare feet. “You look pretty great to me. I’m not complaining.”
Heat traveled up my neck, lighting my ears on fire.
“My hair is a mess. I have morning breath. I—”
He grinned. “You’re fine.”
No, he was fine. This was the first time I’d seen him in anything other than dress pants and a button-down shirt. He was delicious in his gray T-shirt and pajama pants. Even his mussed hair looked styled on purpose.
“It’s also okay if you want to change if you’re uncomfortable.” As he spoke, he drew closer until he was standing right in front of me.
He was at least five inches taller than me. I tilted my head back, taking in those impossibly blue eyes.
My gaze dipped to his lips. Gorgeous. Soft-looking. Kissable.
Move. I needed to move. I was walking into a custody battle with Satan. I didn’t need to be wishing I could lock lips with my boss.
One corner of his lips quirked up, like he could read my thoughts.
“Think the coffee’s done?”
“Coffee?”
He grinned again. “Yeah, coffee. You know, the stuff you drink with more creamer than is necessary.”
I scoffed. “I enjoy creamy coffee.”
“I’ve noticed.” He chuckled.
We stood there, eyes locked a moment longer, and then he shuffled over to the coffee maker.
“Sugar, right?”
He was making me coffee?
I nodded. “Yeah. I also like a little coffee with my sugar.” I moved to one of the chairs lining the island and sat. “I don’t know how you drink it black.”
“Easy. I pour it into a cup and lift it to my mouth.” He added a wink at the end of the sentence before grabbing a cup from one of the cabinets. As he passed the fridge, he pulled out the creamer.
“You share your affinity for cream and sugar with my mother. I teased her when I was around nine or so, and she double-dog dared me to drink it black.”
I laughed. “Double-dogged, huh?”
He chuckled. “I had to pretend I loved it. From that point on, she only gave it to me black. Eventually, I got used to it. After she left, I would think of her when I drank it.” A hint of sadness coated the words.
Anna couldn’t remember their mother, but Jason was old enough at the time. He’d never spoken about her, but I knew he loved her. That was one of the reasons he’d protected Anna. Unlike his father, Jason was a good man. If not a little scary sometimes.
When he finished doctoring my coffee, he slid the cup to me, watching as I took a sip.
It was perfect. “Thank you. It’s great.”
He poured himself a cup and then settled into a chair one over from me. We sat quietly for a moment, the rich scent of coffee filling the air.
“I talked to Anna earlier,” I said, breaking the silence. “She called to check on me after I texted her last night.” I gave him a small smile. “She’s worried about me, and excited to meet the baby. It helped, talking to her.”
His expression softened. “That’s good. I’m glad you have her.”
He must’ve seen it in my eyes because his next words were gentle. “How are you feeling about the court hearing tomorrow?”
I set my mug down, the weight of everything I had to face today settling on my shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m supposed to get an email from Ms. Chen today. I’m hoping that helps.” I turned to him. “I still can’t believe Maya kept her pregnancy from me.”
“Maybe… maybe she just didn’t know how to tell you.”
I shrugged, forced back tears, and concentrated on making my voice steady. “Maybe. I just wish I’d been able to tell her I loved her one more time. I wish we’d been able to fix things.”
“Yeah, I understand that.” He took another large drink of his coffee, then set it down and leaned forward slightly.
“Speaking of tomorrow—I know you said you don’t think you need a lawyer, but I really think you should at least consult with one today.
Just to give you an idea of what the hearing might be like. It can’t hurt, right?”
It wouldn’t, but I needed to make my savings stretch as much as possible. “No, but…” I chewed my lip.
“A consultation is usually free.”
That was true. Plus, I could afford free. It couldn’t hurt to go in armed with a little knowledge.
“How do I pick a good one?”