Page 65 of The B!tch List

My thoughts were that he might be saying that, but I doubted he had anything else but his daughter on his mind.

“I know but, even so,” I replied, placing the hand that had been on Rett’s leg against my tumbling stomach.

“Take his lead, Nancy,” Carter said as he indicated to turn onto the main road out of town. “Because you know Shaw, he hates a fuss over nothing.”

The problem was Shaw losing Tia wasn’t nothing, it was huge.

* * *

“Hey, Kitty,” I said, pulling her in for a hug. “Happy birthday.”

The older woman squeezed me tight before pulling back to give me a huge smile. “Thank you, sweetheart, and I’m so glad you came.” She leaned closer. “Lily said you may not, what with Minnesota being here. I feel awful, but I just told Jefferson to invite everyone we knew.”

I shook my head. “Honestly, it’s fine, things aren’t that bad between us. I promise not to cause a scene.”

“Oh Nancy, if a man needs putting in his place, then I’m all for it, no matter what the occasion.”

“You look beautiful by the way.”

And she did. Kitty was one of those women who owned their curves and the tight cobalt blue bandage dress that she was wearing accentuated every one of her assets.

“Thank you. It was one of my many gifts from Jefferson.” Her eyes shone brightly as she looked over to the man in question. He was as usual looking handsome wearing grey dress pants and a shirt that was a shade lighter than Kitty’s dress. “He’s really spoiled me.”

I smiled knowing that she was going to be getting another even bigger surprise later.

“He loves you,” I stated.

Kitty’s eyes went dreamy as she sighed. “He really does.”

“Anyways, I’ll let you go and mingle with your guests.” I hugged her again. “Have a great evening.”

Once I’d deposited Kitty’s gift bag on the designated table, I made my way to the bar which Penny the owner of Stars & Stripes had set up on the edge of the paddock. It was the same paddock where Hunter and Ellie’s wedding had been held, but there was no marquee this time. There were tables, chairs and hay bales laid out around the edges and a wooden dancefloor had been laid in the middle. Hundreds of white lights were crisscrossed overhead and at the opposite end to the bar was a small stage. Dewey Roberts the manager of the food market was currently showing some great DJ skills, but Lily had told me that later a Huey Lewis & The News tribute band were going to be playing as a surprise for Kitty. Jefferson really had thought of everything to spoil his woman.

“Hey Nancy,” Pauly Jansen said as he wiped down the makeshift bar, “What can I get you? It’s all on the house.”

I blinked. “Really?”

He nodded. “Tate’s contribution apparently.”

God, I missed having a family who would want to do nice things for me.

I couldn’t decide between vodka or beer. Then I spotted a tall, blond guy with a cute blonde toddler on his hip and made my mind up. “I’ll have a beer please, Pauly.”

Once he’d handed it to me, I looked around and felt that pull of loneliness again. Once we’d arrived, Carter and Bronte had disappeared to deposit Rett with the babysitting club, and Hunter and Ellie were chatting with Tate along with Ellie’s parents. Alaska and Jennifer were sitting at one of the tables, with Jennifer looking about to burst seeing as she was only days away from having her baby. I could have gone over to them, but I saw Minnesota standing close by talking to his and Alaska’s parents and I didn’t want to risk it. So, as I looked around, I felt self-conscious and on the edge of everything, wondering how long I’d have to stay before it wasn’t seen as rude to call an uber and get out of there.

After a few minutes of trying to melt into the background, I felt a hand grab a hold of mine and tug on it.

“Here you are.” It was Lily. “I’ve been looking for you. I thought you’d come into the house with Bronte and Carter.”

“Hey, Lily.” We hugged and the relief of having company, if only for a few minutes was huge.

“You look pretty.” She grinned and took a step back to examine the white broderie anglaise knee length dress and ankle boots that I was wearing. “I love this. How come I’ve never seen it before?”

I shrugged deciding not to say that I’d bought it for my trip with Minnesota and then never wanted to wear it because it made me feel mad. Tonight, though I’d decided that I’d done enough crying and complaining about the card that man had dealt me, and wearing the dress was my first fuck you to him.

“Anyway,” Lily said excitedly. “Come on, we’ve got a table over there.” She nodded to a couple of tables down from Jennifer and Alaska where Carter and Bronte were now sitting and giggling with each other. As we looked over Ellie and Hunter joined them and then I felt a swarm of butterflies in the pit of my stomach as Shaw appeared. He was talking to Austen, and they were laughing as they walked along.

“Hey, guys.” Lily waved her hands at everyone. “I found her. I just need to go and speak to Jefferson about something.” She ran off leaving me at the table.

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