Page 6 of Broken Halo
Missing her is selfish. She fought tooth and nail, suffering more than anyone should. The poison ate away at her slowly, efficiently, and the doctors couldn’t get ahead of it. She suffered in life and she suffered all the way to her death.
I move to my car parked at the edge of the dirt road. When I touch the handle, it unlocks on contact.
Even though he works for my family’s company now, I don’t plan on seeing Trig again. I don’t know what Jen was thinking when she offered him a job at Montgomery Industries. She obviously wants to torture me and make sure I’ll never step foot in that building again. Still, I can’t help myself—I peek over my shoulder for one last look.
The pastor might be talking to him, but Trig’s focus is on me. Over the moss covered and crumbling gravestones, our eyes lock.
And my stone heart cracks.
I had no idea it could break twice in one lifetime. And for the first time in forever, my mind wanders to the life I had wanted.
It’s not lost on me that the first time I see him in ten years happens to be in the middle of a cemetery.
Fitting.
I open my door and climb inside. I need to get the hell out of here.
* * *
“There’s my little man.”
Griffin grins when he sees me, and despite the ear infection that’s been nagging him for the last two days, he crawls to me across the kitchen floor at the speed of light.
He’s got my eyes, my light hair, and my fair skin, but he’s built like his father—sturdy and solid. That will be the only thing he gets from the sperm donor if I have anything to do with it. I’ve decided to do everything in my power to make sure Griffin knows as little as possible about Robert.
I pick him up as my babysitter starts tossing the mess of toys into a basket in the family room. Chloe is almost twenty-six, considerably older than my last sitter. I found her through an agency when my last one refused to come back after the police showed up at the house to check on Griffin the night Robert tried to kill Jen and me.
I kick off my heels, talking to her but my focus is on Griffin’s tired eyes. He hasn’t been sleeping well. I’ve been home with him all week and he’s even on antibiotics, but I couldn’t miss Faye’s funeral. I’d never forgive myself. “Please don’t worry about the mess. He’s just going to drag it out again. I’ll pick it up tonight.”
She peeks over her shoulder and smiles as she tosses the last of the blocks into their bin. “I don’t mind, Mrs. Ketteman. I don’t want to leave you with a mess.”
Griffin snuggles into my neck as I sigh. If it weren’t for him, I’d change my name back to Montgomery but I can’t tell my babysitter that I hate my dead husband and every reminder of him turns my stomach. “Please, call me Ellie. No need for formalities, right? You’re not that much younger than me.”
She walks into the kitchen with a soft smile on Griffin and rubs his back. “Sorry, habit. He slept for a little bit this morning but only ate about half of his lunch. Poor little guy. You can tell he doesn’t feel good. Let me know when you want to get back to a normal, daily schedule.”
I shift Griffin to my other arm as he fusses. “I need to take him back to the pediatrician for a follow-up appointment since this is his third ear infection. I have meetings with my contractors later this week and I’m getting ready to interview instructors and staff. Maybe the day after tomorrow? I can’t bear to leave him while he’s feeling like this. I just couldn’t miss the funeral today, you know?”
Chloe grabs her purse from the counter and heads to the front door as I follow. “I’ll wait to hear from you. I feel bad not working since you’re paying me full-time through the agency. You’re sure I can’t stay to help with anything?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m drained. I just need to focus on this little guy.”
“I might hit the pool since I have some free time. Maybe I’ll see you later in the week.”
I give her a smile. “Enjoy your afternoon.”
I walk back into the kitchen and plop a kiss on top of Griff’s head before I set him down and open the cabinet with the plastic bowls I let him play with. I go to the fridge, though I’m not sure why. I know for a fact there’s only homemade baby food and the stuff Chloe likes that I keep here.
I should probably start cooking again. Between spending time alone in my studio, preparing lesson plans for when I open, and not having anyone to cook for, I’ve lost weight.
After I choke down two hard-boiled eggs, I grab a green juice and sit on the floor next to Griffin where he’s banging plastic lids and bowls in a way he’s made it his passion.
My precious boy looks up at me and states, “Da-da.”
I do what I always do—give him my smile while cringing internally. I take three plastic bowls, stack them high, and hope that he can’t hear the plea in my response when I correct him. “Ma-ma.”
He knocks over the bowls—one of his favorite games—before faking his surprised face that always warms my heart. “Uh-oh!”
“Again?” I ask.
