“You didn’t know?” My voice rose until I was almost shouting. My patience had developed a short fuse around her. A couple walking a dog stared in our direction and slowed their pace. I lowered my voice, not wanting to alarm them enough they intervened or called the police. “How could you not know?”

“It’s complicated.” She wrung her hands over and over. “When you left me, I didn’t know I was pregnant. My former boyfriend was there to pick up the pieces, and I slept with him, trying to ease the pain. I assumed they were his. When I found out I was pregnant, he insisted on marrying me.”

“I see.” I didn’t see. Regardless, some other man had raised my children as his. They had to be six years old by my calculations.

“I’m sorry. I would’ve told you sooner if I’d known.”

“You’re sorry? That’s all you can say is you’re sorry? You don’t think a father has the right to know his children? You don’t think I have a say in their lives? Fuck you.” Anger rolled through me, blotting out the pain and giving me strength to get through this. I embraced my fury, wallowing in it, welcoming the way it wiped out all rational thinking. I didn’t want to be rational right now. I wanted to shout about the injustice. I wanted to blame her, make her feel the guilt of denying me the right to what was mine. My children. Two of them. My blood. A boy and a girl.

She stood. “I understand why you’re upset, but getting mad at me isn’t going to fix the situation. You have my number. I’ll be in town for a few more days. Call me when you’re ready to talk.”

“I’m ready now.” I stood, too, and stalked after her as she walked purposefully to her car. “We’re not done yet,” I growled, knowing I sounded threatening but not caring.

“Miss? Are you okay?” The older couple walking the dog had circled back around and stood near her car.

“I’m fine. Thank you.” She offered them a sweet smile. I stopped in my tracks as they stepped in front of me, preventing me from following her.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears flowed down Caro’s face. Her eyes pleaded with me to forgive her. My feet were anchored to the sidewalk. Before I regained my composure, she got in her car and tore out of the parking lot.

This was the second time she’d run out on me.

Chapter Eight

Tattered Courage

~~Caroline~~

I was shaking so badly I could barely drive. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I didn’t see any cars behind me. I pulled down a side street and into an alley. After shutting off the car, I lay my head on the steering wheel and gulped in great lungfuls of air.

I had to stay strong. I had to get ahold of myself.

I didn’t know what kind of reception I’d expected from Easton, but I’d hoped for a better one than what I’d gotten. He was justifiably angry, and he’d gotten angrier and angrier, much like his daughter had a tendency to do.