Page 3 of No Love Lost

Because she’d missed the first two timers, she rushed through her shower, grateful for the new hot water heater. She chose actual clothes instead of the flannel pajamas she’d been wearing. She’d have to switch out the polar bear slippers for socks and boots. Not nearly as comfortable but actually acceptable for going out in public. Never her favorite thing.

She was very lucky her love of words had turned into an actual talent that paid for the roof over their heads and all the other bills. That hadn’t always been the case, and there’d been far too many years when they’d only survived because of the kindness of others.

With her blog and her books, she had even started a small savings account alongside Nina’s college fund. A dream she’d often thought outside the realm of possibility. She was going to make sure that Nina had every opportunity she wanted. The girl deserved the moon and then some. No matter what college she chose to attend, Addison would make it work.

And she wouldn’t even panic because she knew she had the skills to support them. And friends. True friends who would always be there for her and Nina. Friends who wouldn’t turn their backs on them.

Unlike Nina’s father.

How could anyone not want that girl? She was magic. Curious and smart. Interested in everything. Kind and loving. With enough boldness, sarcasm, and grit inside to keep things interesting. Nina wouldn’t be the type to hide in shadows.

Despite the tough times, Addison wouldn’t change a single thing about her past. All of those events, all of those choices, had brought her Nina.

Even the soul-shattering pain of Heath walking away from her without so much as a goodbye was worth it because their daughter was an incredible human being.

And if Addison didn’t hurry, she was going to be late. There wasn’t enough time to dry her hair properly, but she aimed the blow dryer at it with one hand while she pulled on leggings and an oversized sweater. In deference to the temperature, she pulled on fuzzy socks, too.

With her asthma, keeping the cold air outside of her body was a priority. She wouldn’t take chances with Nina, and that meant protecting herself. So she tucked her wet hair into the polka-dot fuzzy hat Nina had made during her knitting phase. Then she wrapped the matching scarf around her neck, pulled on her jacket, and slipped on her boots. At the last second, she remembered her inhaler and mittens. At least the keys were where she always hung them. She still had no idea where the other set had gone.

Of course, she hadn’t remembered to start the car in her rush. There wasn’t any fresh snow to brush off, so she hopped in and hoped for some semblance of hot air to come from the heater. One day, she’d need to break down and get a newer vehicle, but Wabi had served them well. This was the first year the heater had given them problems, but she’d need to get it repaired soon.

She patted the dash with her mittens. “Okay, Wabi. Let’s go get Nina.” When they’d bought the well-used Camry, Nina had been learning her Ojibwe color words and hadn’t been able to say waabishkaa, the word for the color white. The car had been Wabi ever since.

Addison pulled out of their drive, happy that she hadn’t had to shovel. That would have definitely made her late. It was still weeks until Christmas, but Vermont never minded letting her people know that winter was always around the corner.

Their tiny house wasn’t in Phail itself, but on the northern outskirts, out in farm country. At some point, her property had been part of the Adamson farm. That family had sold off several smaller sections for homes. Jonas Adamson still lived in the large farmhouse on the main property. After his mother’s death, he was the only family member left.

Real estate in Phail itself wasn’t expensive but her home had been about half the going rate because it hadn’t been in the town proper. The day she’d been able to afford it and move out of the home her friend Nimii shared with her wife, Ginny, had been the second proudest day of her life. The proudest had been when she’d given birth to Nina.

Addison was a lucky woman, and she knew it.

The drive into Phail was only a few minutes, but it was full of hills and pretty views. By the time they crested the final hill, a tiny bit of heat had trickled out of the vents. “Good job, Wabi. We’re even going to be early. The diner is closed, but I might pop into Phail Phoods to grab some things while I’m in town.”

Her frugal habits meant only coming to town when necessary. She wanted to buy an electric car to reduce emissions and fuel costs, but that required more in the savings account. Her grin was automatic because she had savings, even if the amount would currently buy her a couple of tires on that dream car.

Addison parked in the lot nearest Phail General and Phail Phoods. There were new spots over by Phail Way Park, but that was a longer walk. With the wind chill below zero, she took the smarter option.

The park was another thing that made her smile. Over the spring and summer, the town of Phail had come together to demolish some old buildings and create the park. There were more plans in the works, but the gazebo was up, along with a wooden climbing wall that doubled as a screen for outdoor movie nights in good weather. In the summer, they were going to install a splash pad, which Nina would love.

Addison pulled her scarf over her mouth and took a breath of the almost warm air before getting out and locking up Wabi. Another car pulled into the lot at the same time. Phail was a small town, and she expected to recognize the vehicle, but it was a shiny electric SUV she’d never seen before.

And then she saw the driver and her heart nearly stopped. She gaped as she checked to make sure she wasn’t imagining things.

Why was he here?

What did he want after all this time?

Why would he search her out now?

Was he going to try to take Nina?

Fury and fear roared through her in equal measure. How dare he show up as if he had every right?

Heath Wilcox opened his car door and stood, then looked over the roof to find her staring at him. She watched as recognition showed in his eyes. “Addy? Addy Syrette? Is that really you?”

“Why are you here, Heath?”

Confusion and hurt ran over his face. She almost felt bad for her tone. But protecting Nina came first.

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