Page 51 of The Life We Left Behind

There was something about the look on Trace’s face yesterday that had seemed so angry, and I knew it was because he’d seen Cade.

Had Booker already told him? Is that why he’d turned up to see with his own eyes?

But what the hell did he have to be angry about? That I’d kept the baby?

Cade was the one thing in my life that I’d never regret.

Booker clearly had no idea what had happened, so maybe he was angry that it was all about to come out?

Regardless, if there was one thing it proved, it was that the night we spent together had been a mistake.

Cade was still barely talking to me, but I knew he was curious about his father. If he decided he wanted to meet him, then I wanted him to have that option.

I still planned to ask him if he wanted to be involved in Cade’s life. Even if it was just to have confirmation that he didn’t. I wouldn’t be the person who didn’t make the effort. When Cade was older and there came a time when we had to talk about everything that happened here, I wanted to be able to tell him that I’d tried. I’d always fight for him, even if it meant doing something I knew would be painful.

Blake had taken Cade out for the morning. He was going to show her the bakery, and they were going to stay for a drink. That left me alone at the house, waiting for Trace and the surveyor to turn up.

I’d told Cade this morning that for now, we were going to keep exploring the option of selling the land. But once we got through the funeral, we’d sit down and talk it through. He seemed happier with that idea, but honestly, I didn’t see myself wanting to return to this place where we’d be living in the Farrington shadow.

I stood on the front porch, cradling my coffee cup in the morning sun while I watched for a sign of any approaching vehicles. The best thing to do was to get through this quickly and then set a time when Trace and I could sit down and properly talk things through, like adults, in a place where there wasn’t an option to “screw like monkeys” as Blake had so delicately put it.

Although I was pretty pissed with him at the minute. It would take more than staring into his stormy blue eyes and a few pretty words to make me forget the past right about now.

A dark sedan turned into the driveway and started heading toward the house. He didn’t stop part way down to watch this time, and instead, Trace pulled up alongside my rental car.

I frowned in confusion when I realized he was alone. Maybe the surveyor was meeting him here. That wouldn’t be awkward at all.

I waited at the bottom of the steps, not wanting to seem like some love-struck teenager. Then I started shuffling on the spot, wondering how to hold my coffee mug, and what I was supposed to do with my arms.

Why the hell was I nervous?

Get it together, Delaney! This is ridiculous. You’re a strong, independent woman. You raised a son alone. You’re a goddamn adult. Stop acting like you’re about to fall at his feet just because he’s pretty, and remember the shit he’s put you through.

Trace scowled as he climbed out of the car, holding a stack of papers as he strode the short distance across the gravel toward me.

“I need you to sign these papers to allow the surveyor access to the property. He doesn’t need you present to do his job,” Trace said, thrusting the papers and pen in my direction.

“Good morning to you, too,” I snapped, wanting to shake myself.

Clearly, whatever had upset him yesterday was still in full swing, but I shouldn’t be lowering myself to his level.

I hadn’t done anything wrong. I needed to remind myself of that.

“Just sign the papers, Delaney, and let’s get this process underway.” Trace sighed in exasperation, and I resisted the urge to dump the cold remains of my coffee over his head.

Instead, I snatched the papers and pen off him and turned back to the porch. I wasn’t going to let another Farrington bully me into signing anything until I’d at least read them first.

I heard his second sigh as I strode up the steps and sat down on one of the seats to read over the paperwork.

Let him sigh all he wants. I was still reading this entire thing before I signed it. And he could damn well wait while I did it.

“It’s just a deed granting temporary access, Delaney. I’m not trying to steal your soul.”

I scoffed at that.

His family would know all about stealing people’s souls. I couldn’t believe I’d fallen back into bed with this guy. As soon as we got back into the city, I was going back into therapy. Clearly, I hadn’t worked through as many of my issues as I’d thought I had.

“What did you say?” Trace demanded, his foot landing on the bottom step.

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