Page 51 of Drive To Survive

All of my clients were more concerned about my health than the work I’d promised to deliver, and not one of them took me up on my offer of a discount. Tears pricked the back of my eyes at their understanding and generosity of spirit. Finally things were starting to look up for me. The last couple of years had been such a struggle. If I was honest with myself, they were just as difficult when Paul had been around, although for different reasons. We hadn’t struggled for money back then, though neither were we rolling in cash, but with the benefit of hindsight, Paul hadn’t been the easiest person to live with. His temperament had dictated whether we could live freely and happily or whether we needed to walk on eggshells until he’d shaken off whatever bad mood he’d woken up in that morning.

Nico hadn’t exactly been a barrel of laughs when we’d first met, but even with his broody and abrupt attitude during those first few meetings, I’d seen the good in him. Anyone who could treat Rhett with such kindness and understanding and bring joy into his life got top marks with me. Whatever the future held for me and Nico, I’d always be grateful to him for what he’d done for Rhett. And even if our relationship faltered, Nico would do right by my boy. Thanks to him, Rhett had a chance at a future I’d never even dared to dream of for him.

I stood to stretch out my back. My kitchen table wasn’t exactly comfortable to work at for hours at a time, but at least I’d managed to make contact with my clients, and I’d worked out my priorities for the upcoming week. I’d say that was a solid morning’s work.

My stomach growled. Forgetting I hadn’t been here in over a week, I opened the fridge door and recoiled. Ugh. Sour milk and inedible chicken. I slammed the door and rummaged in the drawer for a plastic bag. I cleaned out the fridge, holding my nose as I poured the milk into the sink.

I dropped the bag of food in the trash, then grabbed my keys. I’d drive a couple blocks over to the local deli and grab myself a sandwich for lunch. I was halfway to my car when I paused, turned around, and went next door to Dorothy’s. I should have knocked here first and at least said hello, but I’d been too fixated on work at the time.

Dorothy answered after a few seconds. “Girl, you’re back,” she said, enveloping me in a motherly hug. “Come in, come in. Are you better?”

“Much, thanks, Dorothy,” I said. “I won’t come in if that’s all right. All my food has gone off, so I’m heading to the deli to pick up a sandwich.”

She gave me one of her looks. “I got food. Come on. I want to hear everything, including all about that handsome man who whisked you off to God knows where.”

I chuckled and gave in. Dorothy probably missed us. The least I could do was spend an hour chatting with her over a glass of homemade lemonade and a sandwich.

As it turned out, I spent far longer with Dorothy than I’d anticipated, and before I knew it, the time had come to pick Rhett up from school. I’d planned on driving straight to Nico’s after fetching him, but I hadn’t finished packing everything up yet, and I couldn’t arrive late for Rhett. I’d bring him back here, he could say a quick hello to Dorothy while I put everything into the truck, and then we could head off. The delay meant I’d hit rush-hour traffic, but Nico wouldn’t be back until later anyway, so it didn’t matter all that much if we arrived later than planned.

Rhett shot out of the school gates, he and Brad looking thick as thieves. Mr. Wilson was there again, and I held up a hand in greeting, which he returned. I doubted that family and I would ever be the best of friends, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t glad we’d put all the aggravation to bed. I hated conflict, preferring a calm, peaceful life, and thanks to Nico running interference, I’d gotten my wish.

“Good day at school, honey?” I asked as I buckled him in.

“The best,” Rhett said. “Look what I painted.” He hunted in his schoolbag, producing a painting with three blobs and what looked like it was meant to be a house. “That’s you, and me, and this is Nico.”

I took it from him, giving it just the right amount of scrutiny. “Wow. It’s fabulous. You’ll have to show Nico tonight.”

“I will,” he stated proudly, taking it from me.

“We just need to swing by our house to pick up a few things before we head over to Nico’s. And I think Dorothy wants to see you to say hello, too.”

“Will she have pie?” Rhett asked, earning a scolding glance from me.

“Rhett Maxwell Lawson.” I waggled my finger. “That is not the only reason to see her.”

“No,” he agreed, nodding. “But it’s a good one.”

I hid my smile behind a pretend cough. Little imp.

Rhett chattered away on the journey back to our house—a place that didn’t feel nearly as homely as it once had. It bothered me how fast both Rhett and I had adapted to life with Nico, which made my decision to only stay for a few more days even more crucial. We had to return to our normal life at some point. While I could feel myself falling for Nico, our liaison was still very new. The separation would do us both good and would stop Rhett from becoming too attached, although I feared I’d already lost that battle.

Dorothy came to the door as I lifted Rhett out of the car, and he ran over to her. Despite my warnings, he immediately asked whether she had pie. After waving off my apologies, she led us both into her house, and waiting there was a large slice of apple and blueberry pie and a glass of milk.

“You spoil him,” I said without judgment as Rhett immediately tucked into his after-school treat.

We chatted for a while, and Rhett finished up every crumb of pie. I hated leaving her after she’d barely had a chance to see Rhett, but if we didn’t leave now, we’d hit the worst of the traffic.

Rhett gave Dorothy an enormous hug, and I promised to stop by next weekend once we’d moved back in.

Dorothy shot me a confused look and frowned. “It’s your decision,” she said with one of those shoulder shrugs that let me know she disagreed with my choice. “But if you’ve had enough already, maybe I’ll have a crack at him.” She cackled with laughter.

I grinned and kissed her cheek. “He couldn’t handle you, Dorothy.”

“Oh, I know,” she said. “But my, how much fun I’d have watching him try.”

With a final wave, Dorothy closed the door, and I opened mine. Rhett ran ahead of me, then came to a crashing halt. Not expecting him to stop so suddenly, I almost knocked him over.

“Rhett, what are you…”

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