Page 27 of Against The Tide

“You’re not a fool,” I tell her, taking her hand and squeezing it like my touch might fix things.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to protect Iris, and I think that I’m the one that’s done the most damage. I don’t know what to say to fix this for her or to make her understand without ruining what’s left of her innocence. I don’t know how any of this works. I’m lost and I have no idea how to find the answers I need.”

“We’re all a little bit lost, sunshine.”

Avery stills, her hand trembling in mine as she looks up at me, her glistening gaze boring into mine. I wish I could look and pull away from her, but I can’t, and it’s a maddening feeling being so caught up in someone I barely know. But there’s that light still flickering in her eyes—a hope holding on for dear life—that’s hypnotizing…enthralling even.

“Maybe.” She finally breaks the silence surrounding us. “Maybe you’re right, Doc.”

Without another word, she leaves me completely baffled and stunned at her use of the nickname that Rowan calls me by. Avery leaves me in a limbo of conscience and feelings. I don’t know which way is up or down, right or wrong. There’s just her and the tug that has me following her out of the room.

CHAPTER 9

AVERY

“Someone is about to get a generous serving of fuck you!” Callie holds up the documents I’ve just signed.

Divorce wasn’t a priority high on my list, but Alison said that for the sole-custody filing to hold more weight that it would be good to have both proceedings going through. Besides, the court would struggle to give me sole custody when Carl and I are still married.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to come at me, and I keep telling myself that I’m ready. I’ve got fight in me, and there is no way I’m letting him take Iris away from me. Not when I’m not certain he loves her. It’s not as if he’s ever shown her affection; it’s always been tolerance. And she deserves more than that, even if it’s just from me.

“Gretch said that it could take up to a month for the paperwork to be processed by the court, maybe even longer depending on how busy they are, but the good news is that you’re filing before Carl, so his little scare tactic of sending his bitch with a note from his lawyer worked in your favor.”

It might have been a scare tactic, but it got my attention, and I know that there’s plenty more in his artillery. I know he’s going to do everything he can to grind me down.

“This is going to get messy, isn’t it?” I take a sip of my coffee. “I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting Carl to show up and drag me back. It’s been two weeks since Kayla was here, and the silence is killing me.”

Looking around the small coffee shop, I try to settle back into my seat, but I just can’t relax. It’s the first time we’ve come into the Silverlark Harbor town center, and I’m aware of how exposed we are.

“I honestly think that he wouldn’t be stupid enough to come here and make demands in person. You’ve seen the media frenzy around him and the consultancy. If he knows what’s good for him…” She pauses, her face lighting up in the direction of the dinging coffee shop door.

“Don’t stop on my account.” I recognize the voice, and when I turn to look behind me, Jo smiles down at me.

She’s got her cane in one hand and the kind of smile that makes me think of my grandmother. Every time she’s been over to the house, she’s talked about her ranch. Iris keeps asking to go see the animals whenever Rowan says he’s going to see her.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Jo. We’re kicking ass,” Callie tells her, as I stand to pull a chair out for her with a lot more ease now that my body is healing. “You know, plotting jerk demise and all that…”

“Good, my favorite kind of conversation,” Jo says with a smile at me. “Looking good, sugar, much better.”

“Thank you.”

“Hey, Jo.” Scarlett comes over from the play area in the corner where she and Iris are having their milk and shortcake at one of the cute little tables.

Jo twists to let her sit on one of her legs. “Did your dad tell you that one of the chicks hatched early?”

“Nope, what color is it? Did you take pictures?”

“It’s jet-black and so fluffy. A thing of beauty. Look,” Jo tells her, taking out her phone to show her photos.

“It’s so cute. Can I keep that one?”

“No.” Callie doesn’t miss a beat.

Rolling her eyes in exactly the same expression as her mother, Scarlett takes Jo’s phone to show Iris the photo.

“Don’t you encourage her to chicknap either. Last time Rowan had a bitch fit thinking I let her get chickens.”

“Ugh, for God’s sake, it’s a chicken. You fatten it and you eat it.”