Page 18 of Just My Luck

“He won’t admit it, but I think he misses the farmhouse. I mean, how could he not? We’re in close quarters with me and the twins in that tiny cabin. Plus, he grew up there, and now it’sjust a burned-up reminder of everything we lost.” I picked at the blanket beside me.

“Still no news from the investigation?” she asked.

I shook my head. “It’s slow going, I guess.” I sighed and looked out at the tourists gathering on the beach. “They did say we could rebuild, but insurance won’t do anything until the criminal investigation is complete, and I know I don’t have the money to build a whole house. Serving tables at the brewery doesn’t pay that much.”

I chuckled a dry laugh, but beside me, Sylvie frowned. “I wish there was something I could do to help.”

I bumped my shoulder into hers and took a sip of water from my tumbler. “You did. You got me a job in the first place.”

“How is Abel treating you? I told him to lighten up a little.”

A laugh burst from my chest as I nearly choked on my water. She slid a sidelong glance in my direction, and I grunted to clear my throat. “He’s been fine. Kind, actually. The other day he helped me out when Ben had a meltdown in the middle of Wegman’s.”

She frowned. “Poor Ben.”

“I know.” My foot wiggled in an anxious jitter. “He said he saw Jared and freaked out.”

“He did?” She was as shocked and worried as I was. “Do you think it was really him?”

I lifted a shoulder. “I don’t want to believe it but... maybe?” I toyed with my lip before deciding to finally admit to my best friend the extent of what had really been going on. “Jared has also been trying to contact me. I’d blocked him from social media, but then he used my money-transfer app to send me some nasty messages.”

“Sloane, I am so sorry. That’s really scary.” Her arm wrapped around my shoulder. When she released me, she let out a frustrated growl. “God, what a prick!”

I swallowed and nodded before the truth came out in a tiny whisper. “I just want my kids to be safe. Sometimes I feel really alone and... I don’t know—exposedin the cabin.”

Sylvie frowned. “Do you need to stay at the farm for a while? It’s not a fortress like Abel’s place, but there are lots of people there, and we can all keep our eyes out for Jared.”

I leaned into her. “You’re the best, you know that? Right now I think we’re okay. But thank you.”

Our conversation shifted to Gus and how he was growing like a weed. Not long after, Tillie came running up to us with smears of orange sherbet on her face, and Ben was grinning behind her. It was a relief to see them unburdened and carefree. Granddad wouldn’t stay, of course, but I was glad to see him out and about for at least a little while.

Throughout the day, a thought kept nagging me. It stayed with me long into the night as I lay on the floor staring at the cabin’s leaky ceiling.

It’s not a fortress like Abel’s place.

What had Sylvie meant by that?

The fact that I knew very little about my boss and I still wanted to climb him like a tree didn’t sit well with me. Stress from the house; not being able to access the trust fund money; Jared’s incessant, manipulative contact despite an order of protection; and worry over how I was ever going to climb out of this hole I’d gotten myself into was overwhelming.

It felt like all my troubles would float away on the breeze if only I could access the trust. There was more money there than I even knew what to do with. With those funds, I could help rebuild the farmhouse, pay for a proper lawyer to end Jared’s harassment, give more to the kids. I couldn’t let my ex control my life with fear any longer. I needed to be strong.

We could finally start over.

Then, as if I was struck by lightning, the perfect solution came to me. It was wild and ridiculous and completelyfeasible.

With a surge of energy, I jumped off the floor and tiptoed out of the bedroom toward the kitchen table. After firing up my laptop, I reread the email from the bank trustee.

I bit back a squeal when I realized the answer was right there in front of me.

All I had to do was convince my surly boss to marry me.

EIGHT

ABEL

Meatballand I were working in the brewhouse when an intruder’s slinky movements caught my eye. I stood and my throat went dry.

Not an intruder.

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