Page 141 of Could Have Been Us
This morning I called Samuel. I didn’t know how it would go, but he was doing well and said that he would be open to my coming down to talk to him. I have one thing I have to do before I hit the road tomorrow though.
Three days ago, we signed the contract with Odette’s company. She already sent us the proposals and the information for the crew. However, I think I have an idea that will help everyone.
I knock on Odette’s office door, and a second later, she opens it, a warm smile on her face. “Hi, Jack, please come in.”
“Thank you.”
I enter her office, it’s warm and inviting. There isn’t much furniture other than a large desk and a couch that acts as the only seating in the room. Odette motions for me to sit and she leans against her desk. “What brings you here? Your email was very vague.”
“I wanted to talk specifically about my section of the build.”
“Of course. I know we covered it in the initial meeting and the follow-up, but I’m happy to discuss any concerns. Although, when we signed the contract, everything seemed to be in order.”
“It was.”
She smooths her skirt and then smiles again. “Okay, that’s good to know.”
I nod. “First, I need this meeting to stay between us. Stella has enough going on, and I don’t want her aware of this talk. Is that a problem?”
Odette seems to pause at that, but it’s the only real contingency I care about. “I’m . . . I’m slightly hesitant.”
“I understand, but it’s imperative.”
She pushes off the desk and heads to the other side of the couch. “Why?”
“Because it’s for her.”
“Oh,” Odette squeaks and then her entire demeanor shifts. “Well, that’s okay then. What do you need?”
“In four days, I am going to propose to Stella. It’s all exciting, but Stella and I have a very complicated past. I’m only telling you this because I want you to understand why this request is extremely important to me.”
She shifts a little and then clears her throat. “Okay.”
I launch into a bit of our history, telling her the story of how we met, the relationship we had, and then about Kinsley. To Odette’s credit, she doesn’t say anything, just allows me to explain the way I need to. After I’m done and have told her about the current position we’re in, her hand is covering her lips.
“Wow.”
“Yes, but the thing is that I want to make this right for Stella. All I’ve ever wanted is to do whatever she needs. And what she needs right now is our daughter. I can’t do that without your help.”
Odette’s eyes widen. “How in the heck am I going to help?”
And then I fill her in on my plan and pray that she says yes.
Chapter 43
Stella
One would think that I would be done crying, but I’m not. It’s not the torrent of tears that it had been the first three days, but they still come.
Sometimes it’s brought on by a song, but right now, it’s this stupid show about a woman who lost her daughter.
It’s been over a week, and we haven’t heard a word from Samuel or Kinsley. I’ve dialed the number, written out a dozen texts, and I even wrote a letter I’ll never send. I am desperate to talk to her, but we told them before we left that we were here, so it’s up to them whether or not they take the hand offered.
The door is kicked open, and I jump, turning quickly to see Jack struggling to get in the house with groceries.
I get up and laugh. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“A little help would be nice.”
