Separated

by Jessica Frances

  “I actually already got in contact with someone in Paxton. They’re going to look into where she might be staying. As soon as they find out, they’ll give you a call.”

  “Great. Thanks, Abby. Excellent work.” I disconnect the call, still feeling unease weighing down my shoulders.

  This basically confirms that Sophie is here. Why? What does she want? And is she behind what has been happening to Conner?

  Chapter Ten

  Seeing the caller ID on my phone the next day almost makes me want to ignore it. Nevertheless, I grab it, get out of bed where Conner is still sleeping, and tiptoe out into the hallway and down the stairs.

  “Randy,” I snap into the phone as I pick it up.

  “Hello to you, too.”

  “It’s early,” I growl, turning my coffeemaker on. I glance over at the time on the microwave to find it’s just after six.

  “Figured you would want a head start on that request you asked for.”

  “Request?”

  “Abby called me. Said your ex-wife has been spotted around Paxton. I made a few calls to some local hotels and easily found her. She’s been staying there for the past three weeks.”

  Three weeks, which is close to when this all started with Conner and the threats.

  What the hell is she playing at?

  “Which hotel is she at?”

  “That’s going to cost you.”

  “Cost me?” I growl.

  “Yep. You have your rules about not fucking anyone in Midsummer. Well, I’m no longer in Midsummer.”

  “Are you seriously asking me for sex in exchange for the whereabouts of a woman who was possibly involved in an arson yesterday where two lives were almost lost?”

  “First up, I was just reminding you of our current living situation. Secondly, I didn’t know that’s why you wanted the info. Abby just called me, and when she mentioned your ex-wife, I thought she might be causing trouble with River.”

  “You already told me how you found her. I can also pick up a phone and call around those same hotels, Randy.”

  “Geez, you’re more of a hard-ass than usual. Casual sex used to be your thing.”

  “I’m not interested in that with you, Randy. Never have been and never will be. Besides, I’m with Conner.”

  A snort flies through the call. “Typical. I finally move to a town where you’re happy to fuck whoever, and you decide to start dating someone in Midsummer.”

  I shake my head. He’s clearly not hearing me. My lack of interest in him doesn’t have anything to do with Conner and everything to do with the fact that I’m just not interested in him.

  “She’s staying at the Blue Moon Motel. She’s in room thirteen, if you feel like visiting her in person.”

  “Thank you,” I grit out before I hang up on him.

  My body is already tense, and the day hasn’t even started yet, but I instantly relax when I feel arms wrap around me from behind and Conner presses into my back.

  I turn around to face him, hugging him to my chest, feeling him lightly kiss my collarbone.

  “Morning,” he murmurs.

  “Good morning to you, too. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

  “That’s okay. Who was on the phone?”

  “Abby called Randy for that fucking favor yesterday. It makes sense since they worked together for three years, but fuck, I have a lot of contacts with the sheriff’s station. I would have rather it had been anyone but him.”

  “Does she know why he left?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know. I never told her.”

  “Then I doubt he mentioned the real reason.”

  “True. Anyway, I have a location for Sophie. I’m going to go pay her a visit. You feel like coming?”

  Conner’s eyebrows shoot upward. “You want me to come with you?”

  “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone here. I’d rather have eyes on you.”

  Conner looks like he considers this before he nods and smiles. “Okay. Not going to argue with that.”

  “Then get changed, and I’ll make up some grub before we go. I’d like to see River, as well. Might drive the girls into school since we’re heading into Paxton.”

  “Will you tell her about her mom being around?”

  “No. I’ll wait to see what Sophie’s intentions are first.”

  “Smart idea.”

  He leans into me, and I meet him, giving him a sweet kiss that doesn’t last nearly as long as I’d like before he is trudging his way upstairs.

  I grab some bread, shove a few slices into the toaster, and then give James Fuller a call to check on Love.

  He’s the early riser of the family, whereas his daughter is the night owl. On the off chance she has managed to sleep, I figure it’s best to call him.

  I pull open the sliding doors and step out onto the back porch, looking back out at my garden in the chilled morning and connect the call. I only speak to him for a few moments, enough to hear him vent out his anger over what happened, as well as letting me know Love did not sleep one wink last night.

  I suppose I should consider it good that Conner got as much sleep as he did. I could feel him restless all night, but he still got some shuteye.

  Hearing a thump from inside the house, I quickly step back inside and smell burnt toast, which I quickly grab from the toaster, dropping it on the counter when it burns my fingertips. I suck the sore digits while moving through the kitchen, wondering what that thump was.

  “Conner?” I call out, eyeing my study and wondering if I should get my gun out or if I’m overreacting.

  As I get closer to the stairs, I find Conner sprawled out over the top, his breathing erratic and his body shaking.

  “Fuck, Conner, what’s wrong?” I race up the stairs, my eyes darting around to see what has him so freaked out. I don’t see anyone else here.

  “S-smoke,” he stammers.

  I sniff the air, smelling the faint scent of the burnt bread from the kitchen. It isn’t the same as yesterday, but smoke is smoke, and it has clearly freaked Conner out.

  “I burnt the toast,” I tell him, sitting down next to him and wrapping an arm over his shoulders, hauling him against me. “It’s okay. Nothing’s wrong, just some charcoal toast.”

  “Sorry, I just … When I smelled … I …”

  “Don’t apologize, Conner. I’m sorry. I should have been paying more attention to what I was doing. I stepped out to give Love’s dad a call. I wanted to see how she was.”

  He nods, taking a few deep breaths. “How is she?”

  “Not good. She’s still upset.”

  “Maybe I should spend the day with her.”

  “James said she’s taken something to get some sleep. Adrianna forced it on her. We can see her a bit later. I’m sure she’ll like that.”

  He slowly nods but doesn’t make any move to get back to his feet.

  “You don’t have to come with me today, if you’re not up to it. I can take you to the hotel, or you can—”

  “I’d rather stay with you, if that’s all right?”

  “Of course it is.” I stand and hold out my hand for him. He takes a deep breath before he places his hand in mine.

  As we make our way downstairs, I swear that I’m going to kill whoever is behind this. Even if the person is River’s mom.

  ***

  I knock on the door labeled 13 and wait as I hear shuffling inside. Then I glance over to Conner, who is standing off to the side, watching me intently.

  I told him to wait in the car, but he wasn’t interested in that. I’ll admit that seeing Sophie’s reaction to Conner in person might be more telling than just asking her about him.

  The door is opened, and I swing back to face her, watching her carefully. I haven’t laid eyes on Sophie in years, and while she still looks beautiful, I see the ways in which she’s aged. Her skin is no longer unblemished, her hair is duller, her body plumper, and laugh lines crease her eyes.

  I’ve known I have no in
terest in Sophie, known I’d never care if I saw her again. The only pain I’ve felt was for River. Still, it surprises me that I truly do feel nothing as I gaze at her. After all our years together, the good and the bad, I feel nothing when I look at her.

  “Rocky? What are you doing here?” She sounds genuinely surprised as she opens her door and quickly steps out, shutting it behind her. She seems nervous, and I wonder over the quick way she shut the door. Apart from the hum of a TV, I can’t hear anything else coming from her room. Given how cagey she’s being, however, I assume there must be someone with her. An accomplice perhaps? Or just her latest fuck?

  “I could ask you the same question. Why are you here?”

  The ire that I used to see often from her quickly fires up. “You don’t own Midsummer and the towns around it. I was just visiting.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “Why? Are you trying to see River?”

  She looks honestly perplexed, like the idea hasn’t even occurred to her. “Is that what has you all worked up? You think I want to see River?”

  I glare at her. “Don’t you?”

  “No,” she says bluntly. Then she turns to the side and sees Conner. “You’re the man dating Rocky, right?”

  I admitted to Sophie that I was bisexual before we got married. She hadn’t seemed fazed about it then, but I wonder if she feels the same now.

  “We’re seeing each other,” Conner admits, his eyes now firmly focused on her.

  She nods, eyeing him, too. “You a good influence on River?”

  “What the hell, Soph?” I grit out between my clenched jaw.

  Her eyes shoot back to me. “What? I can’t ask if the man is good to be around for River?”

  “No, you can’t. You don’t make those calls; I do. I would never do anything to hurt River, unlike you.”

  She holds her hands up. “Okay, okay, I get it. You’re father of the year, and I’m shittiest mom of the year. Cool your jets.”

  She used to say that all the time—cool your jets. When I would ask about the money put aside to pay our bills that had disappeared, or why River hadn’t done anything all day but watch TV while Sophie slept, she’d tell me to cool my freaking jets. I haven’t heard those words together in years, and I want to smash my fist into the wall to hear it now.

  “Why are you truly here? I need to know.”

  “Fine, I’m here for a reason. I need to talk to you about something, but I’m not ready just yet.”

  Fucking Sophie! Vague and completely unhelpful.

  “I don’t care. What is it?”

  “Why this urgent rush?”

  “Have you been sending hate mail to Conner? Did you set the house he was staying at, Love’s house, on fire?”

  She shows complete shock over my accusations. “What? Of course not!”

  “Sophie, don’t lie to me. You were seen in Midsummer right around the time it happened.”

  “The only time I was in Midsummer was yesterday. I was there because I wanted to talk to you. I thought I was ready, but I couldn’t do it.”

  “What do you need to talk to me about? Are you in trouble?”

  “Sort of.” She glances toward her closed door before she looks back at me, her countenance nervous again. “Listen, I’ll tell you about it. I just … not right now.” She turns to Conner now. “I’m sorry you’re having a rough time in Midsummer, but I’m not the cause of it. I’m glad you’re with Rocky, and if you make them both happy, then I can’t ask for more.”

  Conner doesn’t respond to her, but I get the feeling he’s thinking the same thing I am—she doesn’t have anything to do with what’s been happening to him.

  I can’t sense one ounce of hate from her, and she was never good at hiding her feelings. Her hatred for Midsummer was obvious with every word that she spoke.

  “What do you want to talk to me about, Soph?” I want to get this over with. No way do I want to have to see her again in the near future.

  “It isn’t something you should be worrying about right now. You obviously have something more important to be focusing on. I’ll come see you in a week or so.”

  “You know we divorced years ago, and you gave up your rights to River. There isn’t anything left for us to discuss.”

  “I think there is, and I think you will agree, too, once you’ve heard what I need to say. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m busy.”

  I sigh, recalling that Sophie is stubborn enough to not give in.

  I step back from the door, and her shoulders immediately loosen.

  She turns to look at Conner again. “It was nice to meet you.” Then she moves back into her room, only opening the door enough to allow her small frame in, before she shuts it, and then we hear the lock clicking.

  “She was … interesting,” Conner murmurs, shoving off the wall that he was leaning against and following me back to my car.

  “She’s something, all right.”

  “Did you notice how she looked confused as to why she could possibly want to see her daughter?”

  I nod while I clench my hands into fists. “She’s a fucking terrible mother. When she gave birth to River, she didn’t even care to hold her. Couldn’t hand her off to me fast enough.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you guys even have a kid?”

  “It was an accident. We hadn’t discussed it before. I always thought we would, and she always thought we wouldn’t. To be fair, she did talk about her lack of enthusiasm in having a baby while she was pregnant. All the other pregnant parents, Bell included, were so excited about reaching each milestone and each doctor appointment. Sophie never was. She was told so many times from different people that she would feel differently when she was holding her own baby in her hands. No one took her seriously. I know I didn’t. Never took her for someone who couldn’t love her own child.”

  “I feel bad for River, but then I think she’s lucky because she has you.”

  I smile, cupping the back of his head and pulling him in for a quick kiss before we get back into my car.

  Before I place my seatbelt on, I look over at him, turning so my back is half-leaning against the door. “If we both agree that Sophie isn’t the person who’s been sending you hate mail and who set the fire, then we’re back to square one, which is not where I fucking want to be.”

  “So, what happens now?”

  “I hate to say this, but I think you …” I try to swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “I think you need to leave.” I watch Conner’s eyes widen, and I rush to continue before he gets the wrong idea. “Not forever, but for a short while until we can figure this out. I bet Love would like to get away for a short trip, have a break from seeing the mess that her house is. You guys could see more of Arkansas?” I suggest, hating that I’m sending him away.

  Conner eyes his lap so I can’t easily read his thoughts, but when he looks back up, he looks defeated.

  “I need to be here for the Sunshine Carnival. I promised Mayor Fuller that I would record some footage, but after that, I can take a break.”

  The carnival is next weekend. While it still means a week of being a target for whoever wants him, it does give us a reprieve if this is still ongoing.

  “Since we don’t know how to contact this person or persons, I would suggest making a video announcing your intentions to leave. Hopefully, they’ll see it, and it’ll settle things down from escalating too much more.”

  “I’d hate to think what is worse than what they’ve already done, but okay.”

  I clench my hands together, my nerves eating at me while my instincts scream that this isn’t the right way. That I’m missing something important.

  “You have to make a promise to me.”

  Conner clears his throat, his eyes red-rimmed when he glances up at me. “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “Promise me that you’ll come back.”

  He tilts his head, his lack of answer immediately setting me on edge. “You know we’ve not exactly defined what we are
to each other.”

  I grind my teeth at his still non-answer. “You want to have that talk now?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Fine.” I look directly into his eyes so he doesn’t mistake a single word I say. “I like you a lot, Conner. I want to spend more time with you, I want to get to know you better, and I certainly haven’t had my fill of you. I want you, and no one else. I say we’re exclusive. I say you call me every day that we’re apart. Is that enough for you?”

  By the end of my tirade, Conner has a huge shit-eating grin on his face. “Just to be clear, you’re my boyfriend then?”

  “Yes, you fucker!” I growl, unable to stay annoyed when he laughs hard.

  “Okay, not sure I’ve ever been asked to go steady like that before, but I like it. And I like you a lot, too. Plus, River is awesome. Not sure how she came from you, but whatever.”

  I roll my eyes, but I love that he likes River so much. We’re a package deal, and I could never be with someone whom she didn’t love.

  “Just to be clear, you’re making that promise to me, right?”

  He rests his hand over my still clenched one. “Yes, I promise.”

  Finally, the tension riding me begins to ease, and I move one hand so I’m holding onto Conner’s, the touch so simple and yet … not simple at all.

  “So, this video you make, I want you to post it today, stating you’re leaving. Is that going to be a problem with everything going up in flames?”

  “Actually, the only shit I didn’t lose was my phones and my laptop. It turns out having River ask you about having more kids was kismet. Because of that hilarious video of your reaction, I brought my laptop to yours to show River how I edit my videos. We made a cut of it that will make you pee yourself from laughing so hard.” Conner smiles, while I give him a mock glare. “Anyway, I left it all at your place since I’ve been spending so much time there. It had my backup chargers for my phones, as well. All I really lost was all my clothes and those boots that were worth thousands.” The last of this is said with real pain.

  “Fucking Prince. He seriously spent thousands on some boots to get into your pants?” I growl, hating him a little more than I did just before.