Chapter 35 Rosalie
ROSALIE
“Beckett.” I’m a little breathless when I say hello. The anxiety in my body is tightening my lungs the same way exercise does.
“Rosalie.” His tone is no-nonsense. He’s calling with a purpose. “I want to run something by you.”
“Okay.” I close my bedroom door and sink down on the edge of the bed. Silence stretches through the line and for a moment I wonder if we’ve been disconnected.
“I want to discuss Edward’s education.”
“Oh, okay.” A little of the worry loosens in my chest.
“You’re doing a good job with him.” My brows lift in shock. In all the years I’ve raised our son, Beckett’s only offered one compliment—and that was after Edward was born. “I don’t know how, in that godforsaken place, but he’s intelligent and inquisitive, and his manners are impeccable.”
“Well, obviously,” I tease, only allowing a little snark to invade my tone. “Have you met his father?”
“Right.” Beckett chuckles the way he used to whenever I said anything that tickled his sense of humor. I used to live for those moments. Now, it’s just nice to know he’s still capable. “Well, I think it might have more to do with his mother.”
“He’s the best of both of us,” I say.
“Thank you for the week last month, by the way.” He clears his throat. “I know it was the first time you’ve left him for such a lengthy period of time.”
I appreciate his acknowledgment, but something in his voice sets me on edge.
“You’re welcome.”
“Anyway, we should consider boarding school. At my expense, of course. There are several programs I’d be open to. I’ll send you the details and we can work together to select one that suits him best.”
“Boarding school?” I want to laugh, because the suggestion is so absurd.
“Yes. They’ll be able to challenge him in ways he won’t get in Wilder Valley. The experience will grow him into a man.”
“Beckett, he’s seven,” I challenge.
“Obviously, but I believe he’s ready. It will be good for him to be around other boys of his age and brilliance. To have other role models who encourage him to aspire to more.”
I think back to last weekend, when Jackson took us down to the creek for lunch. I picture my baby playing in the mud. The pure joy on his face when he caught his first crawdad.
“He’s a child, Beckett. There’s more to development than structure and traditional education.”
“We don’t have to start him until next year.”
“Next year?” I repeat, my voice pitching with my shock.
“Calm down, Rosalie.”
“Do not tell me to calm down!” I seethe with frustration.
“And don’t you dare speak to me with such disrespect. You remember who pays your bills? Who provides everything for you and that precious child? The least you can do is consider my proposal.”
I have to get off this call. If I don’t, I might actually scream.
“I need to go.”
“We’ll discuss later.”
We’ll discuss this when pigs fly.
“Good-bye, Beckett.” I end the call before he can respond, but that only provides temporary satisfaction. An anxious feeling swirls in the pit of my gut.
Everything was perfect a few minutes ago. Everything. And yet here my past comes again to ruin it all. All because of one stupid phone call.
I think I’m going to be sick. I focus on breathing, but that makes it worse. I might pass out.
“Rosalie?” Jackson is with me, pulling me to his side. I didn’t even hear him come in.
“Jackson.” Tears fall and they don’t stop until I’ve recounted the entire phone conversation.
“Call him back.” The expression on his face is lethal, but his voice is calm. “Let me talk to him.”
“Jackson, this isn’t your battle.”
“You’re right, but I’m on your team now. We take care of each other, and I’m not going to let this dude come in and ruin tonight. He wants to talk about Edward’s future? Fine. He and I are going to have a conversation about it, man to man.”
Worry tumbles inside my belly, swirling and growing with each anxious thought.
“He doesn’t like it when someone challenges his authority. He could retaliate.”
“Rosalie, do you trust me?” Jackson covers my hand with his.
I do. I trust him with my entire heart. I trust him with Edward too. On a long exhale, I unlock my phone screen and go to the call log, pressing Beckett’s phone number and placing the call on speaker as I hand the device to Jackson.
“Hello?” Beckett answers on the second ring.
“Hello, Beckett,” Jackson says. “I’d like a few minutes of your time.”
“Who am I speaking with?” He’s already annoyed.
“Jackson Wilder,” he states with confidence. “Rosalie filled me in on your conversation of a few minutes ago.”
“She did? I’m not sure what she told you, but you should know she’s under very strict guidelines that carry heavy legal consequences.” His threat is clear.
Jackson squeezes my hand as he continues.
“I don’t know about you, sir, but where I come from, a man’s word means something. And right now, I have a few things to say. It’s my understanding you are Edward’s closest relative on his father’s side, an uncle. Do I have that right?”
Bless him. He’s making it clear to Beckett that I haven’t broken my contract.
“That’s correct.”
“Okay, Uncle Beckett, I’m gonna need you to listen, and listen real good because I won’t be repeating myself.
” The temporary relief I felt is eradicated by the sternness in Jackson’s tone.
“The current agreement between you and Rosalie is the only agreement she’ll be following.
If you want more time with Edward, we’ll see you in family court and you can explain to a judge why exactly it is you deserve more time with a child than his own mother. You understand?”
I wait on bated breath for Beckett’s answer. This could work, or it could backfire.
“Edward deserves the best education, and I can assure you, he’s not getting it in that town of yours.”
“Edward will be attending his current school. The thing is, there’s more to an education than book smarts.
Edward needs to learn integrity. To grow in the guidance and steadfast love of his own mother.
Here, he’s gonna learn about science right in his back yard, and more than that, he’s going to learn that family isn’t only who you are bound to by blood, it’s the people you choose to surround yourself with.
There is nothing stronger than a community, and ours has it tenfold. ”
“His education is none of your concern.”
“Well, the thing is, it is. Rosalie is family, and family takes care of each other. Edward is intelligent and thriving. That’s because he has the love of his mother. I know that, because that’s how I was raised. This woman would do anything for him, and I’d do anything for her. Do you understand?”
“I only suggested she consider a higher education. That child is gifted. He could do amazing things with the right support.”
Now it’s only a suggestion. The change in Beckett’s word choice sends a wave of relief through my body.
“You’re right about that.” Jackson smiles at me. “And I can assure you that your nephew has all the support he needs here.”
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
“And Beckett? One more thing before I let you go.”
“Yes.”
“If you ever try to use manipulation and fear to intimidate Rosalie again, you and I will have a problem. She’s a wonderful mother, and you should count Edward the luckiest child in the world.
There are no issues with her competence; you and I both know that.
So, be a fucking man and treat her with more respect the next time you call. ”
The line is silent. I am, too. I cannot believe Jackson said all of that.
“Now, if there’s nothing else, I’ll let you get back to your evening.”
“That quite covers it.”
I can’t believe it, but Beckett almost sounds nervous. Or maybe intimidated. I didn’t think it was possible.
“Y’all have a good night, then.” Jackson ends the call and drops my phone onto the bed. His gaze hasn’t left mine the entire call, but it’s only now that his face shows a tenderness that’s only for me. “Was that okay?”
I nod. I can’t quite find the words to express how I feel. No one has ever stood up for me, or for my child, in this way. I’ve always felt alone in dealing with Beckett. Now, I’m not.
“You sure? I didn’t want to overstep”—Jackson runs his hands up my arms, checking my expression with concern—“But that man needed to be told.”
Jackson Wilder is one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen in real life; that’s never been debatable. But right now, I’ve never found him more appealing.
“I love you.” The words burst from my mouth, the truth behind them so powerful I couldn’t hold them back even if I tried.
“Oh, Rosalie.” He wraps me in his arms, pulling me into his strong embrace. “I love you, too.”
Maybe it’s too soon. Maybe things won’t always feel so easy between us. But I know with complete certainty that no one will ever love me the way this man does. Right here, in his steady arms, I’ve finally found my forever home.