Page 1 of Stables

Chapter 1

Char

“I told you, it’snone of your business.” If I prop my body against the door, maybe he’ll get the hint and leave.

His thick fingers curl around the frame. “That’s my daughter in there. I have a right to know who you’re whoring around with.” Matt’s teeth bare at the end of his snarl.

I had to leave to file registration records for a paint mare I sold, then had lunch with Libby.

But he doesn’t need to know that.

“I don’t question you on who you spend your time with. We’re divorced,Matthew. You don’t have any control over me.” If my hair wasn’t already up in a messy bun, I’d flip it over my shoulder.

He was a jerk when we were married. Now, he’s a straight up asshole.

His dark brows draw lower over his eyes as he looks down at me. “I saw you, Char. Don’t fucking lie to me. You were all dolled up driving through town with that sundress that begs men to bend you over.”

When he pulls himself closer, stuffing his foot through the crack, I catch the scent of whiskey on his breath.

Shit.

A tendril of fear starts to tug at my stomach and curl through my chest.

“You think just because the ink is barely dry on those papers, that I’m not gonna keep an eye on what’s mine?” The corner of his lip raises like a dog catching a foul odor.

“Matt. I was just running some errands.” Forcing a calmness into my voice is a practiced survival mechanism with him. “I didn’t see anyone.” I know there’s no way I can hold him out if he pushes.

I’m too damn small. He can throw me around like a rag doll.

Experience has taught me this.

While the door still blocks his view, I slip my phone out of my back pocket and send Libby the code.

She’ll know what it means. I hope like hell it’s for nothing.

He bows his head, then his shoulders rise and fall as he takes a deep breath. When he looks up, the anger is gone. “Baby, I just miss you. It’s killing me not getting to see you and Paisley.”

Ironic. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he wanted nothing to do with his daughter during the court hearings.

He even said so.

I’ve heard this shit before. He always promises he’ll do better, but he never does.

It took me too long to figure that part out.

“Maybe when things have cooled down a little, we can work out a play date?” At this point, I’ll say anything to get him to leave.

It took two police reports and a broken arm for me to finally get the divorce. He told me he’d take everything.

I guess I was lucky he got so rough. That’s the only reason I was able to keep my family farm.

“I don’t need your permission.” His features slacken, and the dead look in his eyes returns.

He drops his shoulder before I can back away and shoves the steel door against me.

The knob digs into my ribs as I’m thrown backwards to slam into the wall.

Gasping, I slump to the floor trying to regain my breath.

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