Page 57 of One of Six

"Oh, hell!" David. "Look, it was the polite thing to do, and you raised Beatrice to be polite. To fit in. She didn't do anything wrong, especially since she doesn't know the history between you and them."

Judge waves his finger, but quickly snaps it back when he realizes where we are. "You, son, are walking on a very thin line today!"

I rub my brows. "David didn't do anything wrong. I invited her. Not him. And like he said, I don't know what's going on. I don't want to know... Can we go?"

One hour.That is how long I have been in the house. It seems that everyone wants to talk to me, even those who have never spoken to me before. The only people I want to talk to are being kept from me. Richard thinks I don't know what he's done. A word here and there, and I'm kept busy.

Evelyn starts to walk past me as I reach out and grab the material of her dress. She stops and turns. "Help me get out of here."

A subtle nod is her only response. "Give me a minute," she mutters.

When the man in front of me finally takes a breath, I decide to hell with it. "If you'll excuse me." I turn and ignore both Richard and the Judge's attempts to draw me into their conversation. I walk straight across the house, through the kitchen and out the back door. My eyes immediately land on Essex standing with his family. He looks brooding, but the moment he sees me, his eyes light and his lips curl into a beautiful smile.

There are others outside, not just the Redd family. Some of them look like they are getting ready to talk to me. I've really had enough today, and I don't care if I'm being rude. The only people I want to talk to are the Redds. I spot Violet, who keeps casting sly glances at Ridge. I smile at my friend's antics. No doubt she's as fed up as I am.

I step off the porch and make a beeline for Violet. I put my arm around one of hers. "Can Violet stay with me tonight?" I ask her parents, who are standing with a plate of food in their hands.

"Of course she can," Mrs. Beau says, her husband nodding.

"Thank you." I'm not sure they're going to be happy with their answer as I pull Violet toward the Redd family. "Pretend we don't know them," I whisper.

"Easier said than done," Violet answers.

I move up beside Essex, who comes closer and presses his hand against mine at my side. I reach out with a finger and wrap it around one of his. "Hi," I say, clearing my throat. "Maggie, can you introduce us to your sons? It'll look better if Richard's watching."

"Of course!" She smiles and introduces us to her sons, who shake our hands. I overhear Ridge say, "Jailbait," to which Violet gives him the evil eye.

For the first time today, I begin to relax with Essex beside me. Our fingers intertwine and I take his hand. I turn and search his eyes. All I see is his concern for me. "I'm okay now."

"I'll come to you tonight."

"Violet's staying with me." I smile. "We're coming to Den Hollows."

"Yeah?"

"Hmm... I met Edwin Carter. He was the guy next to the SUV with blond hair."

"I saw him. I saw Hitchcock too." He smiles. "Want to bet the A in AJ stands for Alfred?"

I chuckle. "That's a bet I'm going to lose."

"God, I want to hold you something wicked," he breathes against the side of my head before planting a kiss there.

"Tonight. We're going to meet Edwin Carter at his hotel and sleep on your boat." I offer him a shy smile.

His grin splits his face. "We'll pick you and Violet up in town. Behind Gleeson's store. 11:00?"

I nod.

"Heads up!" Galen says.

I reluctantly release Essex's hand and make sure my "goodbye" and "thanks for coming" are audible to Richard as he approaches. I cut him off with Violet at my side. "When is everyone leaving?" I ask.

He narrows his eyes as the Redd family moves to the front of the house. "Judge and David are leading everyone out of the house. A lawyer is inside waiting for us."

My heart sinks knowing this is not going to be good.

True to his word, the house is cleared by the time I enter the foyer. Mr. AJ Hitchcock looks exactly as I had imagined. Late fifties, early sixties. A head full of white hair with a slightly rounded figure. He wears dark pants, but a light blue blazer and a boat hat. His demeanor is serious, and his eyes hold a hint of sympathy as he moves toward me.

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