For The Love of Easton : A Single Parent Romance and Sequel to For The Love of English

by A. M. Hargrove

  “Six. And we’ll need to run that by English.”

  “What about riding? Does she like horses?” Landry loved to ride and was an expert at it. It might be something Easton would be interested in doing.

  “I don’t know but we can ask. How’s Mother doing?”

  Stanton huffed. “The same. She comes up here every afternoon to complain about money. It’s a good thing you aren’t around much. Then Ravina comes in and laments how she can’t find a job.”

  “If she stopped thinking everyone was beneath her, maybe she could.”

  “Tris, she hasn’t even looked,” Landry told me.

  “Not a surprise. I’m going to have to kickstart her search.”

  Stanton scratched his chin. “How?”

  “I’ll look myself and send some things to her. Maybe she can work in one of the attorneys’ offices.”

  The two of them chuckled. “The other women would strangle her,” Stanton said.

  “Maybe it’s what she needs.” Something had to give. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life locked up in this mansion doing nothing.

  “What she needs is a swift kick in the ass,” Stanton said.

  He was exactly right about that.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  English

  After going through the security protocol at the hospital, we rode the elevator up to the floor Geepa was on. When we entered his room, I ran to his side and hugged him. “Geepa, I’m so sorry this happened. It’s my fault you’re here.”

  “English, that’s nonsense and I’m fine. You are not to blame for the terrible actions of that man and his son. Now dry those eyes of yours and stop thinking like that.”

  “I love you. Are you sure you’re okay?” My heart ached and soared at the same time. I was ecstatic to see him acting like his normal self, but I still bore the burden of responsibility on my shoulders for bringing this down on my family.

  “Other than a slight headache from the concussion, I’m fine. I tried to get them to allow me to go home last night, but they took extra precautions.”

  Banana patted his cheek. “I’m glad they did too.”

  “Of course you are. You got to boss me around,” he said, winking at her.

  Mom asked, “Has the doctor been in yet?”

  “No, but they took me down for the MRI on my shoulder. I guess he was waiting to get those results.”

  “Geepa, how does it feel?”

  “Sore, but I think it’ll be fine. This has taught me to respect my age.” Geepa was in his sixties, but didn’t look it at all. He was handsome, like my dad, with dark hair that was beginning to turn gray around his hairline. His tall frame still showed signs of him being physically fit as he worked out all the time.

  “Geepa, you’re still young. What are you talking about?”

  “That’s what I thought until that jerk nailed me. I hadn’t been expecting it.”

  “Why would you? Only crazy people go around doing things like that,” I said. And the McLures were definitely that.

  We made small talk until the doctor arrived. He explained that Geepa had sustained a small tear in his rotator cuff when he fell, which was causing the soreness. “You can wear a sling for the next few days, but these tears don’t heal, so I’m afraid you’ll have to have surgery to have it repaired.”

  I slumped in the chair. “Is it a bad surgery?” I asked.

  “Not at all. This tear is small so they can do it by arthroscopy.”

  While it relieved me some, guilt still cocooned me for it happening in the first place.

  Geepa aimed a finger at me. “Young lady, wipe that look off your face. This is not your fault. If you had been home alone with Easton, I shudder to think what that man would’ve done to you or your daughter. I’m glad it turned out this way.”

  He always had a way of making lemonade out of lemons. “Thanks, Geepa. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

  “And speaking of, where’s that new husband of yours?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “He’s probably catching up on things at work. I left him at home when Mom picked me up.”

  “You need to get back to him. You’re supposed to be celebrating your wedding.”

  The doctor glanced at me and wished me a congratulations, then continued with the paperwork. He finished and told Geepa they would be bringing everything in for him to sign in a few minutes and then we could leave.

  After the doctor was gone, Geepa said, “Now that I have you feeling guilty, English, for God’s sake will you let me get Easton a puppy?”

  “Geepa! I can’t believe you!”

  “What? I’m only taking advantage of the perfect opportunity.”

  “I never realized you were such an opportunist. I’m too busy for a puppy.”

  “You have a husband now and I’ll pay to have it trained.”

  “Yeah, like you did Boonior? Do you have any idea how many ballet slippers of mine that dog ate?”

  “I do, because he chewed up even more of my house slippers. But he was the best friend you ever had, wasn’t he?”

  There was no denying it.

  Geepa knew I was caving when I didn’t answer. “Then how can you deprive your daughter of the same?”

  “Because I don’t want her heart to get broken when he dies, like mine did when we lost Boonior.”

  Geepa held out his arms. “Oh, sweetie, come here.” I ran into his arms again. “That’s a part of growing up. Learning to love and learning to let go. We’re all going to lose those we love and you can’t protect Easton from everything. But you can give her joy and teach her to love and take care of things. A dog is an excellent way to do that.”

  “You win.” I sniffed. My watery eyes were full of tears I refused to shed. Even after all these years, I missed Boonior. “But I don’t want a big dog. And not too small either. I don’t want to step on the poor thing when he’s a baby.”

  We rode home with Geepa more excited about puppy-hunting than anything else. He’d found several already but he wanted to take Easton with him to pick the final one out.

  “She may try to tell you she only wants one if it’s pink.”

  “I’m not too concerned about that. When she sees these little things, she’ll want more than one.”

  “Oh, hell no. One is my hard limit.”

  “I know. I promise on that.”

  We dropped Geepa and Banana off and he was going to pick up Easton the following day to puppy-hunt. I had to remember to tell Tristian. We hadn’t even discussed where we’d live. Gah, I needed to figure all this out.

  Mom drove me home next and as I was getting out of the car, she said, “Honey, you look happy. Are you?”

  I grinned. “When I think of Tristian I am.”

  “Good. That makes me happy too.”

  “I’ll pick up Easton later.”

  “No, you don’t. I’m keeping her until Tristian leaves for Vietnam.”

  “Damn, I forgot about that too. Even after we talked about it last night. My brain is on vacation.”

  Mom gave me a knowing look. “I wonder why.”

  “Mom!”

  She laughed and backed out of the driveway. Tristian’s car was there so I walked in grinning.

  “How’d it go?” he asked from the kitchen.

  “I caved in to the puppy. My grandfather took advantage of me in my weakened state. I felt guilty over what happened and he used that opportunity against me.”

  “Smart man.”

  “Do you mind? I should’ve asked you first.”

  “No, I don’t mind a bit. It’ll be great for Easton.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So he’s okay?”

  I explained about the tear in his shoulder. “Other than that, all is good.”

  Tristian told me he called the attorney and that another order of protection would be taken out for Mom and Dad, and Geepa and Banana.

  “Great idea. Maybe that’ll keep them away. Do you think Bill will get
fired?”

  “Who knows? The governor’s office hasn’t issued any statements yet. It’s all over the news though. I’m surprised they haven’t called you.”

  “Maybe they have and no one was here.”

  I spoke too soon. The doorbell rang and I opened the door without thinking. Several reporters and cameramen stood on the porch.

  “Ms. Bridges, we’d like to ask you a few questions.” Then a microphone was jammed into my face.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Tristian

  The door slammed with a thump, punctuated by an expletive. I’d heard English curse before, but not often and not like this.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Reporters on the porch.” She aimed her thumb over her shoulder as she leaned against the door.

  “Christ. I was hoping we’d avoid this.”

  “Same. What do we do?” Her eyes darted around the room.

  “Sit tight and see if they go away.”

  “They have one of those antenna trucks with some cameras too.”

  Bad news. They were here for the duration. I took her hands in mine. “Come here, starshine.”

  “I can’t. What if they break the door down?”

  “Babe, they’d be breaking the law if they did that.”

  “Right. Right. Okay.” She gingerly stepped away from the door, as though she anticipated an army would crash through it.

  “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. We’ll grab something to eat and if they don’t go away, I’ll call the attorney and have him handle it. He can come up with some kind of statement.”

  She slumped against me. “Thank you. That’s a great idea.”

  We stayed in the kitchen and made sandwiches and soup. Afterward I peeked outside and, sure enough, they were camped out there.

  “Time to call Ryan.” When he answered, I explained the situation.

  “Figures. Let me work up something and I’ll be over. Is there a back way in?”

  I asked English.

  “He’d have to cut through the neighbor’s property and someone would be sure to see him,” she said.

  After I relayed that piece of information, Ryan said he’d come over and march through the front door.

  “Is he sure?”

  “I suppose he’s done this before for other clients. He knows what he’s doing.”

  A little while later, he showed up with a police escort. They pushed through the crowd that was gathered out front and I opened the door. People shouted, but English stayed in the kitchen out of sight.

  “Where’s English?” Ryan asked after the door closed.

  “I’m right here, hiding.” She peeked around the corner.

  “I don’t blame you. The vultures are out. Apparently, the governor did a press release claiming he had no knowledge of what happened and is not aware of the situation between you and the McLures. Bill is claiming his innocence, although I’m not sure how his attorneys plan to proceed with that, given your grandfather had to be hospitalized from his injuries. He was charged with forcible entry, aggravated assault and battery. It runs in the family.”

  English sighed. “Knowing them, they’ll figure a way out of this.”

  Ryan shook his head. “I doubt he’ll be getting any help from the governor. From the tone of the press release, Bill McLure may find himself unemployed. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the governor’s office. His hands are full right now with all the charges he’s facing. He doesn’t need any more at the present.”

  English nodded, “Maybe you’re right. But I won’t breathe easy until this is over.”

  “Ryan, I need to fill you in on something. English and I went to Vegas and got married. We came home early because of this situation. My attorney is working on the adoption of Easton.”

  A megawatt grin broke out on his face. “Congratulations to you both, and that will positively work in our favor. Not that that’s why you did it, but it certainly helps the cause. One question for the two of you. When I address the throng out there, should I refer to you as English Bridges or English Baines?”

  That was not for me to decide, so my questioning glance turned to my wife. Oddly enough, it did not seem strange to think of her as that.

  Her back was ramrod straight as she answered, “My name is English Baines, so that’s what you should call me.” There wasn’t a flicker of hesitation in her response and I’d never been more proud of anyone.

  “My wife has spoken, Ryan. You have your answer.”

  “Excellent. That will also set their gossip networks on fire. I have an idea that when the McLures hear of this, they may reconsider everything they want to do.”

  “No, they won’t,” English said. “They’re crazy like that. If Bill punched my grandfather, I wouldn’t put anything past them.”

  “True, but with the world against them, I’m not so sure.”

  Ryan phoned one of his clerks and they modified the statement with English’s new surname. He read it to us and we were in agreement with everything.

  “Okay, I’m ready to face the hungry mob.”

  He opened the door as we stood behind it and walked onto the porch. We listened with our ears up against the door. English giggled. “I feel like a spy.”

  “Or a child listening in on their parents.”

  “Yeah! I remember doing that when I was little. BB2 and I wanted pancakes and we’d wait outside Mom and Dad’s bedroom for them to get up.” She chuckled at the memory.

  I put a finger to my lips. “Shh, he’s talking now.”

  “Mrs. English Baines was attacked in her home by Stuart McLure, the son of William McLure, several weeks ago. Had it not been for the intervention of her husband, she very well might not be alive today. Mr. McLure was arrested and an order of protection was served on him, which he later violated. He was arrested again and is awaiting trial for forcible entry, assault and aggravated battery with intent to kill.

  “A few days ago, William McLure was arrested at the home of Mrs. Baines’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Beckley Bridges. He was charged with forcible entry and assault with aggravated battery against Mr. Mark Bridges, who was hospitalized for his injuries. A trial date for Mr. McLure has not yet been set. Thank you.”

  A barrage of questions from the reporters erupted, but Ryan ignored them and came back inside.

  “That should get the gossipy press onto the McLures and away from you two. The police will not be happy with me, but that’s not my problem.” Then a laugh broke out of him. “I wonder what the governor’s office will think when they hear this.”

  “Who cares?” I asked.

  “Not me,” he answered. “You two need anything else from me?”

  “No, but you can’t leave until the vultures do,” English said as she looked out the peephole. “Hey, they’re scattering.”

  “I expected they would. They’re probably rushing to the police department to find out the details of the information I gave them.”

  “I hope the cops don’t hate me. I need them on my side.” English bit her lip.

  “This is part of their job and now all they’ll do is make a statement like I did.”

  Ryan checked the front yard. “Looks like the coast is clear. Call me if anything else pops up.”

  He went outside and let the police officer go since he didn’t need him anymore. Then he drove off.

  “Hey, I was very proud of you.” I took my wife in my arms.

  “Me? Why?”

  “Because you didn’t shrink away from anything, and I have to tell you, I’m proud to be your husband.” I kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I never knew you had such a gentle side to you.”

  “I have lots of things you don’t know about.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Um-hum. Wanna see?”

  “I thought you showed me all your magical gifts.” She quirked a brow.

  “I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve that you can’t begin to imagine. Just wait.”

&nbs
p; “Up your sleeve or in your pants?”

  “I’ll let you decide the answer to that.”

  I was kissing my wife, preparing to take her to bed, when the front door swung open and we heard, “Mommy! Mimi said you’re home and I wanted to kiss you and Daddy.”

  The joys of being a new father. No one had warned me about these little interruptions.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  English

  As much as I adored my daughter, her timing was terrible. “Easton!”

  “Did Daddy give you a pretty ring?” The word Daddy rolled off her tongue with so much ease, it was as though she’d been saying it her entire life.

  “He sure did. Look.” I held out my hand to show her.

  Her tiny mouth formed an O as she said, “Ooh. It’s sparkly like the stars at night.” Then she broke into her rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

  When she finished the song, I asked, “Do you like it?”

  “Uh-huh.” Her head vigorously went up and down. If I did that, I’d have a migraine. “Can I wear it?”

  “Afraid not, lollipop. It’s way too big and I wouldn’t want you to lose it. But one day, your Prince Charming will give you a fancy ring.” With any luck, I added under my breath.

  “Is that what Daddy is? Prince Charming?”

  It was only an expression, but her eyes had widened and the toothless grin she wore had me saying, “He sure is.” Wait! Toothless grin? “Easton, where is your other front tooth?”

  “The tooth fairy took it from under my pillow.”

  “When did you lose it? I can’t believe I missed it!”

  “I lost it in the dirt when I fell down.”

  “Say what?”

  “Uh-huh. Rey was showing me how to kick the soccer ball when I ran and I fell down. It got stuck in the dirt when it came out. See?” She lifted up her lip and there were traces of an old cut. Good thing kids healed so fast.

  “You hurt yourself?”

  With a lift of a shoulder, she said, “Not so much. Rey said I was a superstar cuz I only cried a little.”