Page 93 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
Of course, I wasn’t going to quit quite yet. Ironically, now that Mitch has eased up, I actually want to help him turn the mill into a raving success like he wants before I even thinkabout leaving. I’m just happy that he’s finally listening and giving us the option. I'm especially happy for Charlie because now he can start up that garage like he wants.
And I guess this means that I have to get serious and consider that bar idea now.
But Mitch's announcement isn't even the real reason why I’m content. Most of that has to do with Patty, and the kids as well.
We told her we loved her and she said she loved us too.
I get giddy every time I think about it. Patty is going to be ours. She’s going to stay with us and start a family with us. We’ll probably adopt her daughters, and I’m not sure how that would work legally but we’ll figure it out. We’ll figure everything out because in my mind she’s ours forever and nothing can stop that.
Suddenly, a violent scream pierces through the air.
"What the fuck?" I’m out of the car and running to the door in a split second. Urgency riots through me when I realize how much the scream sounds like Patty’s.
I’m through the door by the time the second scream comes, this time in the form of words.
"What do you mean?" Patty has her hands planted on the reception desk and is screaming at the receptionist who's rearing back. "What do you mean their father picked them up? Where are my daughters?"
The receptionist swallows. "I’m sorry," she says. And then she glances at me for help, leaning back in her seat clearly afraid that Patty is going to leap across the desk and attack her.
And given the furious expression on Patty’s face, I won’t put it past her.
I immediately move forward and take Patty’s hand whichshe tries to yank out of my hold but then I take her by the shoulders. "Look at me, darling."
She obeys but the shattered expression on her face has my chest squeezing painfully.
"What’s wrong?" I ask. "Tell me."
She points an accusing finger at the receptionist, the fear in her eyes palpable. "She just said my girls got picked up by their father. But that’s not possible. He’s in jail."
"Jail?" That's a shocker. Was that what she meant by it being 'handled'?
"Yes." Her eyes meet mine, tears welling up. "He was arrested by the police for dealing weapons and a bunch of other illegal stuff."
"Weapons?"
Her gaze drops from mine. She swallows and nods tightly. "He’s so much worse than I told you."
"Jesus Patty, why didn’t you tell me any of this? Or tell Charlie or Mitch? Or fuck tell the sheriff?"
She winces, shaking her head so solemnly that I feel bad for my explosion.
"I thought it was handled," she whispers, tears falling freely now, making her voice watery. "He’d gotten caught by the FBI, they had evidence to keep him in jail and I thought it was only a matter of time before he got sent to prison for good. I thought all we had to do was lay low till then and we would be fine."
"Jesus." I drag her into my arms, unable to bear her tears anymore. "You should have told me this.’
A sob escapes into my shoulder, and then suddenly pulls back as she wipes her eyes. "No. I can’t break down now. I need to find my girls."
"What's going on here?" Suddenly, a door at the end ofthe hallway opens and Mrs. Weatherby steps out of her office. She takes one look at Patty and asks, "What's wrong?"
Patty looks at Mrs Weatherby and says, "I think Keegan took my daughters."
Mrs Weatherby's gapes. "How?"
"Ask her." She points to the receptionist again, who melts back underneath Mrs. Weatherby’s withering glare.
"I thought I made it clear that those two were only allowed to be picked up by their mother or one of the three men, Wes, Mitch, or Charlie."
"Yes, but…" she muttered. "He said he was their Dad and…"
