Page 92 of Beat of Love
“Bullshit,” Preston called out.
“Don’t use such vulgar language, son,” he rebuked. “And I did drive six blasted hours to this godforsaken place.”
“I don’t dispute the time it took you to get here. But you certainly didn’t come here to make sure we’re okay, because you haven’taskedus if we are okay. No, you only came here because you heardRaffertywas with us.”
“Nonsense,” Richard protested.
“You were so mean to him, Daddy,” Olivia accused. “Hehelpedus.”
Richard flinched under the accusing words of his greatest fan and ally.“I do not want that man around you. Any of you,” he added, his eyes moving around the room before meeting hers. “I don’t want you on this ranch. It’s time to move back to Austin.”
“You sold Weeping Willows from under us!” Amelia called out. “What was Mom supposed to do?”
He ignored his daughter, a defiant gleam entering his eyes.
Brandy braced.
“In fact, I’m considering contacting my lawyers and filing for full custody.”
Even expecting his threat, the shock slammed into her chest, rippling through her limbs like an electric current, leaving her shaky. She grabbed hold onto the back of the couch lest her legs give way.
“Don’t you dare!” Preston shot out amidst cries from his sisters.
“Theychoseto be with me,” Brandy whispered.
“Well, Brandy, it’s time to revisit that. You clearly aren’t setting a good example for them, what with you fornicating with a drug addict, and allowing him unsupervised access to our children.”
Strength surged back, fury replacing shock. “We arenotfornicating!”
“As if living under the roof of a liar and cheater with his mistress and bastard child is a good example,” Olivia accused.
“Hold your tongue, Olivia!” Richard barked.
“Why should I?” she cried. “You’re just being mean and nasty. We were in anaccident, Dad. Mimi swerved for a dog and the Yukonrolled. And Mom was bleeding and unconscious. Rafferty dropped everything when Mimi called him. And he didn’t leave us alone, not for a second. He made us his special scramble last night when we got home from the hospital. He stayed up all night watchingBuffywith Mimi because she had bad dreams. And then he cooked breakfast for us, blueberry pancakes, before fetching Mom this morning. He even took Mimi driving before she lost her nerve about getting behind the wheel.” She sucked in a ragged breath, brushed the tears from her face, and deliveredher fatal blow. “He took care of us, Dad, in a way you’veneverdone. There’s no way I’m living with you again. And I’ll tell that to a thousand judges.”
“Truths, Twin,” Preston said, slowly clapping his hands. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Brandy wanted to applaud with her son, but at the same time she grieved for her daughter’s lost innocence, because today her Livvie-girl came face to face with the real Richard Springer.
Richard leveled a scornful look at them. “And to think I cancelled my golf and drove six hours for … forthis.” He waved his hand around.
Amelia snorted, stomped to the door, and pulled it open. She looked defiant, but Brandy could see the hurt simmering below the surface.
“I think it’s best you left, Richard,” Brandy said. “Thank you for driving here, but as you can see, we are fine.”
Not that you’ve even asked,you pompous ass.
Her body was aching; the wound an incessant throb.
Her heart breaking.
Alas, the man wasn’t finished. “Should’ve listened to Nadine when she said you’ve poisoned my kids against me.”
“Argh!” Olivia exclaimed. “Mom hasneverspoken a mean word about you to us. But you … you allow that homewrecking tart to call Mom all sorts of nasty names.” Her slim shoulders slumped, and she pointed to the open door. “Just go, Dad. We are fine.” Her laugh was short and bitter. “Actually, we arenotfine. Not anymore. But wewerefine. Until you arrived and spewed hurtful stuff,” she added.
“My twin has a point,Dad. Time to go.”
“Enough.” It distressed her to watch her kids turn on their father. Brandy called upon every ounce of strength left in her, walked to Richard, and looked at him head on. “You need to go. You’ve sown enough hurt today.”
