Page 88 of Just My Luck

Petitioner Plaintiff Father JARED HANSEN is currently employed, can provide the minor children a more suitable home, better schooling and education, better financial support and stability, and better supervision and guidance over the minor children if custody was modified to provide the Petitioner with physical custody over the minor children.

Plaintiff father is requesting that this matter be referred to the Friend of the Court for investigation and recommendation.

He was coming after my children.

My knees buckled and I began to tumble.

THIRTY-ONE

ABEL

I couldn’t imaginelife getting much better. Hell, it was already giving me more than I ever deserved.

Once JP and I finalized the paperwork, it was official. Abel’s Brewery was mine.

Well, technically Sloane was a silent partner with the majority ownership, but I had paid my debt to King Equities. I couldn’t have done it without Sloane, and I fully planned to do everything in my power to make that up to her—financially and otherwise.

I owed Russell King nothing.

I was free.

After leaving JP’s office, I took a detour down Main Street. Birds chirped happy songs as my long strides pounded on the sidewalk. A trio of women stood outside of a clothing boutique. One looked up at me with wide eyes, and instead of turning inward, I simply touched my fingers to the brim of my ball cap. “Ma’am.”

Behind me, giggles and whispers erupted. I clenched my jaw to fight a smile. For years, it felt as though I carried my past around like a brand. Everyone knew what I had done, and they feared me.

Judged me.

For the longest time, I felt as though I deserved their skeptical whispers and wary glances, but slowly, I was feeling the shift. A tiny spark of hope bloomed in my chest that perhaps I wasn’t as shunned as I once thought. Maybe if I wasn’t quite so closed off, the people of my town would see me differently.

I glanced up to see the fearful eyes of an elderly woman track my movements.

Well, maybe not.

Undeterred, I wound my way around tourists and townies as I enjoyed my walk through downtown. As I passed King Tattoo, I peered in the large storefront window to see Royal behind the counter and my little sister MJ sitting on top of it with her legs dangling as she talked his ear off. I turned and entered the tattoo parlor.

Their heads rose in unison, and I offered a smile in greeting.

“What’s wrong with your face?” Royal immediately asked.

The back of MJ’s hand landed on his chest with a thwack. “Shut up. He’s smiling, you idiot.”

“Oh, yeah.” Royal grinned and nodded. “Nice.”

I cleared my throat and fixed my face. “Hi.”

MJ laughed. “Hello, brother. You look like you’re having a good day.”

I nodded and spread my hands. “It’s official. Abel’s Brewery is no longer controlled by King Equities.”

MJ threw a fist in the air and whooped as she hopped off the counter. Royal rounded the front desk and stuck a hand out. “Congrats, man.”

“Thank you.” I shook his hand, and an uncomfortable warmth settled in my chest.

MJ squinted at me. “Oh my god, I know that look.” She pointed a finger toward my face. “It’s not just the brewery. You’re in love!” She squealed as I rolled my eyes, dodging heraccusation. “I knew it! Does Sylvie know? I cannot wait to tell her!”

I brushed off my little sister as she danced around me. “Don’t you work?”

MJ beamed up at me with a smile and then stuck out her tongue, which reminded me how young and innocent she really was. “As a matter of fact, I do and I’m late. I want to check in on Red Sullivan before my shift.”

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