Page 49 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“He bought it for Carrie,” Eliza mumbled before taking a drink.

Becky barked out a laugh. “That must mean that ten-inch bike sitting in your front yard with the Minnie Mouse basket on the front was for you.”

Eliza tilted her nose in the air, trying not to laugh. “I do like Minnie Mouse.”

“Yeah,” Juliana began, sipping her own drink. “But unless you've practiced lately, you stink at riding a bike.”

Eliza’s phone started to ring. Grateful for the exit from the conversation about her future and lack of bike riding skills, she excused herself and slipped inside Ms. Iris's house. She kept her head down as she passed the living room. Eva and Ms. Iris sat on the sofa, looking at a magazine while Addie sat in the corner, working on Ms. Iris's computer.

Eliza stepped into the empty kitchen.

The sigh of relief she almost let out stalled when she spotted the caller I.D.

Zach. He must have gotten the letter the lawyer sent last week outlining the paternity arrangement and his only, very narrow, line of recourse.

“Hello?” If she didn't answer, he'd never stop bothering her.

“What. The. Hell.” He took a breath, and she braced herself. “I always knew you screwed that guy, and you weren't just friends like you claimed. That's why you left me, isn't it? You knew, and you still let me support your brat.”

Oh. Nobody called her baby a name. “Listen here, jerk head. I did sleep with Dewey. And I didn't know then, and I really don't know now why that could possibly bother you since you slept with God knows how many women during our marriage. And I didn't know Carrie was his or I would have left your ass before she was even born.” Because Dewey would have come and gotten her.

The rumble of Zach’s motorcycle in the background brought a sour taste to her mouth. Every time she heard one, it reminded her of the day she left Statem, flying out of the small town and holding onto Zach. She’d been stupid. Young and stupid.

“I'm fighting this, Eliza. You can't just walk out. You'll deal with me much sooner than you think.”

Her back straightened with the threat. Empty threats. But her gut reaction still put her on edge. “What can you possibly fight? He's the father. We had a paternity test run twice, and both times were conclusive.”

The line beeped. She stared at her phone as it disconnected and returned to the screen saver of Carrie and Dewey. She'd snapped it when they weren't looking. They'd been so absorbed in whatever story he told her, that she'd pulled her camera out, the nice digital one, and took about thirty shots of them, facing each other, identical profiles.

“What's wrong?” Juliana walked into the kitchen. “Something happened.”

“Zach. I think he's going to try and cause trouble.” Sooner than she thought? What had that meant?

Juliana shrugged, but concern laced her expression. “You knew that might happen. But what can he do other than make a fool of himself? He has no claim to Carrie. No claim on you.” She walked across the kitchen, setting both hands on Eliza’s shoulders and squeezed. “Relax. Think positive thoughts. Ms. Iris told me your photograph was chosen as a finalist in the contest, and it is obvious things are moving a good direction with you and Dewey. Focus on your future.”

Future. The word gave her a second jolt of jitters.

Addie scooted past them to open the fridge. “Sorry to interrupt sister time.”

“You're not.” Eliza welcomed the distraction away from thinking about Dewey in her future.

Because she wanted one. She couldn't lie to herself. But how to make it happen and not have a panic attack at the thought of losing her independence still eluded her. Dewey was so old fashioned. He’d never do what Lexi and Nash did, live together indefinitely without any expectation of marriage. Or more children.

Juliana crossed her arms. “Why is it you can wear what looks like pajamas and still look like a model on the cover of a magazine?”

Addie glanced down at her pink socks and black yoga pants. “Oh. I've perfected what I call 'hacker-glam.’“ She tugged her long, blond hair down from her ponytail and whipped it right back up. “For some reason, Cameron seems to like this better than all my other expensive clothes.”

“I can imagine why, but I'd rather not.” Juliana nudged Eliza. “Unless you want the details of our cousin’s love life?”

Eliza stuck her fingers in her ears. At least the distraction might keep her from figuring out what to do about Dewey. Zach was a lost cause. He'd pester her until he found some other poor soul.

Lexi walked in, carrying a big, pink gift bag with black tissue paper. “I wasn't sure what to get Ms. Iris.” She lowered her voice. “I mean, it's a bridal shower. Was lingerie a bad idea?”

It was Juliana's turn to stick her fingers in her ears. “Yes. Yes. Very bad.”

Grimacing, Lexi turned around. “Then, I'll go ahead and give her this without you in the room.”

Eliza and Juliana looked at each other, both shaking their heads. Eliza broke down and started to laugh first. “Our dad. Sex.” She shivered with fake disgust. “Uh! That will not be a topic of conversation tonight.”

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