Page 54 of Luke

“What exactly did the man want that came the other day?” Cade finally spoke.

“He offered me money and drugs, but mostly drugs, for dirt on Paisley. I didn’t take any,” she reiterated. “He was mad when I told him there was none. Paisley was nothing like me, ever. There simply wasn’t anything to say even if I had wanted to.”

“Did he ask anything else?” Cade pressed.

She sighed. “He said he’d hook me up with all the drugs I wanted if I told him and the press and some other people that Paisley did drugs while she was pregnant. I refused.” She took a deep breath. “Then he told me that I could come up with any story, even just about how my closest thing to family dumped me off when a rich guy wanted her.”

“Did he say why?” Cade continued to push.

Mary shook her head. “He didn’t and I didn’t ask. If I’d had a way to tell her, I would have. I even went to her old apartment but no luck there. I knew that wasn’t what happened. I had pushed things too far with her, taking advantage of her, and I’m sorry. I also know that you weren’t around before or after she found out she was pregnant.”

Luke frowned.

“I’m happy that you two have found each other now, though. You seem happy, Paisley. I love that for you.”

“I am. I’m so happy it’s obnoxious. When you’re up for it, I’d love for you to meet my son.” She hugged her again.

“You aren’t going to ask what’s going on?” Cade wondered.

“No. I have a feeling that I don’t want to be involved in it and you all seem to have her back. I’m trusting you with not only myself but her as well. Take good care of each other.” She turned to Dr. Jones. “I’m ready to go.”

“This way,” Dr. Jones said, leading her to a black sedan.

“Thank you for this.” Paisley hugged Mr. Smith, too.

“You’re welcome, dear. You’ll see she will be in the best care.” He hugged her back lightly.

Paisley nodded and stepped back.

Everyone said their goodbyes and they watched as the car drove off.

“I’m glad that she agreed,” Luke told her.

“I just hope it works,” Paisley admitted.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Luke

“That was too easy,” Luke said when they got in the SUV.

“Yeah,” Cade agreed.

That was what Paisley had asked about before and Luke had hoped they wouldn’t need the backup plan. They had one, but this was the easiest option.

He was glad that Mary had taken their offer and had already denied helping out with tarnishing Paisley, though. That was great news for her and hopefully meant that one day they’d get to introduce her to her nephew.

“What’s next?” Paisley asked.

“First, we wait,” Ryker answered, “for the lawyer to get cut off, and for that we need to hear from Mr. Smith. I don’t imagine that will happen before he gets Mary and Dr. Jones settled.”

“You guys have a plan though? Right?”

Luke squeezed her leg where his hand was resting to help calm her. “We do,” he told her. “You said you didn’t want to be involved in the planning, but we can tell you about it if you want.”

Paisley bit her lip. “I don’t know.”

“That’s okay. When you have questions that you want answered, just let any of us know.” Luke pulled her across the seat so she was flush to him. She came willingly.

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