Page 4 of Hartley

“Your mom was a wonderful woman. And she was right about me not being in a relationship with Jordan if he wasn’t kind to me.” I didn’t want to lie to her, so I omitted the part about him not being nice to everyone.

“And there’s another man too, right? That you’re in a relationship with?”

“Yes, his name is Hartley.”

She nodded and turned to stare straight ahead, looking out the windshield. Fresh tears fell from her eyes as her body began to shake. Nothing I said would make her grief better. Being without a family, and having someone enter her life again after years of absence. God, I felt terrible for her.

To think I almost didn’t say yes. How could I have left her there to wait for a family member to step up while she was put in foster care?

I soothed my hand along her back. “We’ll stay out here as long as you want.”

No one was going to pressure her to go inside. She could stay here and cry or simply sit and watch the traffic drive along in front of the building. Where we were in the garage, she had a perfect view of it.

A bit after the tears stopped falling, Ava said she’d like to go inside. I opened my door, and Oleander went to the backof the SUV to collect Ava’s belongings. There was more at Celine’s apartment to pack up. The lease hadn’t run out yet.

It was another reason to hate Gil. With all the money he had, he never gave any to his sister. She worked so damn hard to take care of herself and Ava. Gil had more money than he knew what to do with. He wouldn’t hear of me bringing gifts with us when we’d visit them. Celine did the best she could, even moving to a bigger apartment in a nicer area of East Dremest when she could afford it.

Fuck, I hated Gil even more the longer I thought back to all the shit he did. How fucking selfish he was. How he truly didn’t give a shit what happened to those he was supposed to love.

The elevator waited for us when we walked to it. Oleander placed Ava’s belongings inside and held the door. She looked so tired, like her body was too heavy to keep moving forward, and she was slogging through molasses.

The higher the elevator climbed, the more alert she became. She moved closer to my side. By the time the doors opened; she gripped my hand tightly in hers.

Hartley stood waiting for us with his hand on the top of Tahoe’s head. Tahoe’s tail swished wildly on the floor where he sat.

Ava and I exited the elevator, then she peered up at me. “Can I pet the dog?” I’d neglected to tell her about Tahoe. He didn’t seem important on the ride over. Now I knew what a mistake that was. Kids loved animals.

“Go ahead. His name is Tahoe, and he’s very friendly.”

Ava moved a few steps and stopped.

“Okay,” I said, giving Tahoe the command to release him from his sit.

He darted forward with the fervor of a puppy until hecould lick Ava’s hand. A soft chuckle came from her, then she kneeled on the floor. That made Tahoe’s day. He licked her face while beating Hartley with his tail.

Behind me, Oleander moved the bags inside before clapping his hand gently on my shoulder. “If you need anything, call. Day or night. I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, hoping I conveyed just how appreciative I was of him.

Moving to Hartley’s side, I watched Ava with Tahoe and how the girl, who was in tears less than a half hour ago, now wore a small smile.

Ava had her mother’s dark hair, a few shades darker than Gil’s was. It hung long and straight down her back. Her eyes were not the same as what I remembered of Celine’s. Celine’s were golden like Gil’s, while Ava’s were a chocolate brown. She must have gotten them from her father.

When Tahoe had given Ava ample kisses, he sprawled on the floor on his side and lifted his front leg so she could pet his belly better, not at all caring that she might not want to. Ava indulged him, rubbing his fur until he rolled onto his back with his feet in the air so she had better access. The dog had no shame.

Ava lifted her eyes to mine, then moved to Hartley. I was waiting until I had her attention again to introduce her.

“Ava, this is Hartley Weathers, one of my partners.”

She got to her feet. “It’s nice to meet you.” Celine had good manners, obviously passing them on to her daughter. If only she could have rubbed off on her brother too. I still didn’t know the scope of the abuse, if any, he inflicted on others. I was sure Gil slept with more men after we split up.

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Hartley said. “I love your shirt. The color complements your skin tone perfectly.”

Ava looked down, grasping the edge of the hem. “Thank you.”

Reaching over, I squeezed Hartley’s hand, grateful he spoke of something other than the tragedy that happened. While we’d be here any time Ava wanted to speak about her mother and the life they had, it was good not to see her in tears.

The sound of shoes tapping along the marble flooring had me peering over my shoulder at Jordan. He smiled softly and stopped on my other side.

---