“You don’t need to look. I know where it is.” A quiet voice came from behind me. Chase and I both swiveled to see my mom standing there wringing her hands.
“Mama?” She hobbled without her cane onto the patio. I quickly stood and helped her to her chair. She looked pale and shaky. “When did you get here? Are you all right? Let me get you a glass of water.”
She latched on to my hand. “No. I need to tell you something. I cashed that check.”
CHAPTER42
Zach
Istood in front of my open fridge, contemplating which sounded better for dinner: two-day-old Chinese food or cheese and crackers. I’d already finished all of the frozen meals Em had sent. Not that it mattered. I didn’t have an appetite anyway.
I couldn’t focus for shit today. I’d been off my game at the hospital, almost wrecked driving home today, and now, I couldn’t read up on a medical procedure I was supposed to assist with next week.
A sharp knock on the door pulled me away from the unappealing dinner options. It was probably the kid from downstairs. I’d seen him in a Scout’s uniform selling popcorn earlier. Maybe he had some cans on him I could snack on instead of finding dinner.
I opened the door, expecting to see a little blue uniform. Instead, I was met with a fist.
I stumbled back into my condo. “What the fuck?” I looked into the angry glare of Chase Allen.
“That’s for the punch I didn’t give you back when I should have.”
“Come again?”
“With pleasure.” His fist drew up again but was stopped by a small hand.
“That’s enough, Chase.”
“Raelyn?” Why wasshehere? “Is Iain with you? Emalee? Oh, shit. Are they okay? Why are you here?” I was having trouble catching my breath.
Chase seemed to care less about my breathing issues. “Do you really care?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then you shouldn’t be here being a dumbass. You should be back in Sterling Mill fixing the mess you made.”
“Imade?” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but why are you here?”
Chase pushed his way into my condo and looked around. “I’mhere to beat the shit out of you. Mama Rae has something to tell you first, though.” He collapsed on my couch with his arms spread wide across the back like he owned the place.
I wasn’t sure which sounded worse, Chase’s fist or Raelyn’s disappointed-in-me lecture I was sure I was about to receive. At least maybe Chase’s punch would lessen the pain in my heart.
Raelyn followed Chase into my living room. Instead of the mama bear glare I expected, I saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“What could you be sorry for?”
“Can we sit? Please?”
“Of course.” I should have offered sooner, but when a guy decks you as soon as you open the door, it throws you off.
Raelyn sat next to Chase. I sat in a chair across from her and waited, no clue what she had driven all this way to say.
“Emalee didn’t cash that check. I did.”
What?“I don’t understand. I saw her signature.”
“No, you saw her name. I signed it. Our handwriting isn’t that different. Emalee never had a clue. She never wanted to give your parents any ammunition to use against her.”
“I don’t understand. Why would you go against her wishes?” I thought of the accusations I made against Emalee and felt sick.
