by KB Winters
“You sure you’re okay?” I repeated, as we made our way to the pickup spot, and she narrowly avoided knocking over an entire display of plastic tumblers.
She licked her lips and looked up at me. “No.”
I wrapped an arm around her and tucked her against my side. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
She nodded, but her fingers wrung together as we waited.
Her restlessness continued when we took a spot at a table for two in the corner. I stroked the back of her hands to keep them still, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference in her anxiety level.
“Do you want to go?” I asked when we were still only halfway through our beverages.
She gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry, I’m not a lot of fun today.”
“Don’t apologize, Isla. I’m here for you, whatever you need.” I placed a hand on the side of her face. “You tell me what you need. I’m your man.”
Her brown eyes flashed at my statement and her lips spread into a warm smile. “I like the sound of that.”
I laughed. “Good. Come on, let’s get out of here.” I stood and reached for her hand.
I followed her in my truck, back to her parents’ house, and I parked on the street opposite the house. “Remind me of your parents’ names again,” I asked, catching up to her in the driveway.
“Robert is my dad and Angie is my mom.”
“Got it.”
Isla led the way and we walked together into the foyer of the house. I did a quick sweep, impressed by the casual elegance of the place. It was obvious her parents made a decent chunk of change for themselves. When I dropped my gaze from the vaulted ceilings and paned windows of the entry, I saw her mom and dad coming towards us from what appeared to be a formal living room. Her dad was tall, with a wiry build, black Clark Kent glasses, and salt and pepper hair. Her mom was a mix between her husband and daughter’s heights, probably five-five, and while she was larger framed than Isla, she appeared to be in good shape.
“Hello Lucas. I’m Angie, Isla’s mother,” Angie said, a bright smile on her face that was a carbon copy of Isla’s. They also shared the same, dark, auburn hair, though Angie’s was cut short in a long bob.
“Nice to meet you, Angie,” I replied, shaking her hand and then turning to her father as he reached out.
“Robert,” he said with a nod and a firm handshake.
I nodded back. “Sir. Thank you for having me.”
Isla looked between the three of us, and then past her parents as little feet scampered across the hardwood. “Ah, there she is!”
Lily—a bright eyed, mini-me of her mother and grandmother—burst between the group and launched herself into Isla’s arms with a huge smile. “Who’s he?” She asked, turning her face to Isla.
“Lily, this is Lucas, he’s a friend—” she grinned over at me, “—and he wanted to come and meet you today.”
Lily stared at me for another minute, her eyes taking me in slowly, before facing her mother again. “Is he your prince?”
After a silent beat, where we stared open mouthed at one another, we all burst into a series of laughs.
“What’s so funny?” Lily demanded, folding her arms over her little chest. She stuck out her bottom lip and looked at her grandparents. “Gram? Pop?”
“Nothing, honey bear,” Angie cooed, reaching for Lily as she squirmed out of Isla’s arms. “You are going to go with mama, and her friend, Lucas, to the park.”
Lily let out a cheer and everyone laughed again. She wiggled her way free of Angie’s arms, ran for the door, and hooked my hand in hers on the way. “Come on, Prince Lucas. Come on!”
“I guess she likes you,” Isla said, grinning over at me when she took her place behind the wheel of her car after getting Lily—who was singing a Disney song—into her booster seat. “I’m pretty sure that song she’s singing is for you.”
I laughed and hummed along as best as I could, to the unfamiliar tune.
We drove a mile and a half up the road and Isla pulled into a small parking lot. When she killed the engine, she heaved a long sigh. I reached across and set my hand on her knee. “It’s going to be okay, babe, I promise.”
She nodded and flashed a tight smile at me before turning her gaze to the rear view mirror. “Lily, honey, you need to listen to mama for a second.” The singing stopped. “We’re meeting another friend here today, and his name is Samuel.”
“Is he a prince too?” Lily queried.
“No,” Isla snorted. “He’s just a friend, honey. We’re going to be nice, but Lily—” the singing started again. “Lily! Baby, pay attention, you can play with Samuel, but don’t go anywhere with him if mama isn’t with you, okay?”
Lily babbled something that Isla took for compliance and we all got out of the car.
As I followed Isla, Lily ran between us, and took one of our hands in each of hers, forming a chain among the three of us. I looked over at Isla and caught her wipe away a tear with her free hand. I wanted to say something, to reassure her, but couldn’t find the right words without alerting Lily that her mom was upset. It struck me how odd it was to feel so comfortable as a unit. I’d only just met Lily, but if anyone from the outside saw us, they would probably assume we were a little family of three on their way to the park for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
“It’s a pretty nice day,” Isla said, glancing up at the sky. It was early December, but we’d managed to get lucky and while there was a chill in the air, the sun was peeking through the clouds and making the cold tolerable.
I briefly wondered if Isla had set the meeting in hopes of it getting rained out and cut short.
Thanks to the relatively nice afternoon, there were a handful of other families at the park. Most of them were young families, bundled up, and watching the kids burn off some energy on the playground. As I scanned the benches and ring around the bark dust covered section with the play equipment, I wondered if Samuel was already waiting among the other parents.
When we got close enough to the play structure, Lily broke free from us, and bolted across to a long, red, plastic tunnel.
Isla stopped in her tracks and I followed her gaze to where a man in a long, wool overcoat and black slacks was exiting the restroom facility. “Shit,” she breathed.
I stepped close and wrapped an arm around her waist. I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her, or Lily.
Emotionally or otherwise.
As Samuel approached, I made sure to lock my eyes on his and convey that he was not to fuck with Isla or Lily.
“Ah, so you weren’t lying,” he said, approaching with a menacing grin. “You really are engaged?”
“Lucas Sprigg,” I interjected, taking a half step forward to shield Isla from the prick’s taunting eyes.
He took my hand in a firm grasp. “Samuel Petters. What is it you do, Lucas?”
I smiled. So glad you asked. “I’m a Ranger in the Army.”
“Impressive.” His eyebrows moved a fraction of an inch higher and that was all I needed to see to know my message had been received. He was in way over his head if he didn’t tread lightly.
That’s right, fucker. I could kill you with nothing but a plastic spoon.
He turned away from us and we stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at the playground. “Ah, there she is,” he said, his voice low, as he spotted Lily.
“Remember, Samuel, you are a friend. That’s it. You say one word about being her father and you’ll never see here again,” Isla snarled.
If Samuel was taken aback by her ferocity, he didn’t show it, just kept grinning. He inclined his head slightly. His only response that he understood the deal.
He was beginning to make my blood boil.
I tightened my hold on Isla’s waist.
Samuel waited with us until Lily ran over to tell Isla about some other child on the slides. After telling her story, she looked up at Samuel, as though only just noticing him. “Who are you?”
Isla squatted down in front of
Lily and took her hands. I could almost feel the pain and mix of emotions rolling through her and my heart broke, wishing there was something more I could do to comfort her and make the afternoon easier to face. “This is Samuel, mama’s…friend.”
“Hi!” Lily said, glancing up at Samuel again. “Do you want to play on the slide too?”
Samuel smiled at Isla and me, before leaning over towards Lily. “I sure do.”
My fists clenched and I grabbed Isla to keep her—or myself—from tearing off after them as Lily led Samuel towards the slides.
“I hate everything about this,” Isla said, the words coming out as though each one were physically painful to say.
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I know.”
There were no words left to say after that. We watched Lily and Samuel play on the slides for close to twenty minutes before the sky went dark and a sprinkle started to come down. Only then did Isla smile. “Darn, I guess we’ll have to call it a day.”
I didn’t reply, but hollered for Lily. She was wearing a waterproof jacket, but the sprinkle of rain would undoubtedly turn to a downpour, and the temperature would drop further.
Samuel led Lily by the hand back to where Isla and I had stayed rooted. Isla took Lily’s hand. “Say goodbye to Samuel, Lily.”
“Bye! Thanks for playing slides with me.”
“Anytime,” he said, still smiling like he’d just stolen third.
We all started towards the parking lot as the rain came down faster and harder.
“Oh, by the way,” Samuel stopped and turned back, holding up his index finger as though something had slipped his mind. “I have something for you.” He reached into the thick coat and produced a large envelope from the inner breast pocket. He handed it to Isla. “Consider yourself served. I’m taking you to court for fifty percent custody.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lucas
By some miracle, Isla held herself together until we got back to her parents’ house. After ushering Lily inside to go tell her grandparents about the trip, she turned back to get something from the car, and instead, crumpled into my chest. “What am I going to do?” She gasped in between body-wracking sobs.
I stroked her hair and held her firmly against me. “You’re going to hire a really good lawyer who can take that guy to court and show the judge and anyone else that matters, that he isn’t fit to parent Lily.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy,” she said against my coat. “You saw him, he’s all polished and obviously has money. I live with my parents, work sixty hours a week, and I’m drowning in credit card debt.”
I pushed the loose strands of her hair behind her ears and met her wounded gaze. “It’s not all about money, babe. It’s about being a good parent, and no one can argue that you’re not a good mom.”
“Why is he doing this?”
I shook my head. “I wish I had the answer. All that matters is that you do what’s right for you and Lily.”
We stood in the garage for a few more minutes. When she pulled away, out of my arms, my heart twisted at the glossy surface, as new tears brimmed. “You probably have to go.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I don’t want to hold you up. I’ll be fine.”
I grabbed her shoulders, gently, but firmly enough to get her attention. “Isla,” I locked my eyes with hers, my stare as serious as my tone. “I’m here. For you. As long as you need me. The kids are taken care of. Stop trying to push me away.”
She was stunned to silence for a moment, unblinking, and wide eyed. For a flicker of a second, I wondered if I’d pushed too hard. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Isla.”
She dropped her eyes to the concrete floor. “I want to open up, Lucas. It’s just not that easy.”
“I understand. Trust me, this is new territory for me too.”
She looked up and smiled. “It doesn’t feel like it. You always seem so calm. I’m like this clingy, weird, basket case.”
I laughed and shook my head, smiling down at her. “Far from it.” I reached up and stroked her cheeks with my thumbs. “You’re perfect.”
Isla rolled her eyes and started to object, but I moved one thumb to cover her lips, stopping her protest. I replaced my thumb with my lips and drew her into a slow, lingering kiss.
“Do you want me to go in with you?” I asked once we broke apart.
She laid her head against my chest. “I do, but I probably should tell my parents what happened…”
I nodded. “I understand. You do what you need to do. I’m only an hour away, so call me anytime, for anything.”
“I will.” She swallowed hard and brushed the fresh tears away before they could fall. “Thanks for coming today. It was nice to not have to do that alone.”
“Of course.” I pulled her back for one more embrace, not quite ready to let her go.
A soft laugh vibrated over my chest and she looked up, propping her chin against me. “How fun was it when you told him you were a Ranger?”
I chuckled, relieved that—at least for the moment—the sparkle had returned to her eyes. “Yeah, that has a tendency to set a real firm boundary, real quick. Although, technically, the only thing I’m conquering these days is a mountain of paperwork…”
“You’re pretty badass in my book, desk job or not,” she said with a wink.
I laughed and kissed her again.
* * * *
My mind raced the whole way home. Isla hadn’t asked for help financially, and from what I’d gathered, her parents were well off, but I couldn’t help but circle back to the comment she’d made about being in a lot of debt. With the money that I’d saved over the years, combined with the money left to me from my mother’s insurance policy, I had more than enough to take care of the kids, get them all through school, and could still help Isla if she needed it. I just didn’t known how to offer it to her.
I had to keep reminding myself that our relationship was still very new. It was like we had skipped over several phases and landed in the middle of something serious. Even before Isla had turned me into her faux-fiancé, I’d been thinking about the future—with her.
And now, with a looming custody battle, those thoughts weighed on me even more.
I wanted to protect Isla and take away the stress that she carried. It would be an honor to take care of her and Lily and build a beautiful future with them.
I was surprised to walk into a quiet house. After a quick search, I realized that it was vacant. As I walked back to the kitchen, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, and saw a text from Carrie that she’d taken Spencer, Emmie, and Lottie out to the local arcade as they were getting a little stir-crazy. I texted her back that I’d run to the grocery store and get something going for dinner by the time they got home.
With a few minutes to kill, I dialed Colton’s number. Other than a couple texts, we hadn’t talked since Thanksgiving, and even then, we’d been in the middle of a big group and hadn’t really been able to talk freely with one another. Me and Colton had always been closer than me and Miles. Miles was the type of guy to call when you wanted to go out and do something. He got restless too easily to sit and have long, wandering conversations with, and he resisted any hint of relationship talk.
Colton, on the other hand, was now married, and to a woman that he’d met online and only knew in person for a couple of weeks before getting engaged. If anyone could understand what I was going through, it would be him.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey man!”
“Hey! How’s life in baby town?” I asked with a laugh, hearing the sound of baby Rose crying in the background.
Colton laughed. “It’s good man, can’t complain. Karena’s trying to get her to go down for a nap.”
“Rough life.”
“Tell me about it.” The background got quiet and I figured he moved to another room. “How’s it going over there?”
I caught him up on rec
ent events, starting with what the kids were up to since Thanksgiving, talked a little about working in the recruiting office, and finished up with telling him about Isla.
When I was done, he let out a low whistle. “Shit man, that’s one full plate you’re balancing over there.”
I raked my free hand over my hair, surprised how much it had grown out. “I know. Sometimes I look around and wonder whose life I’m running. It doesn’t feel like mine. It’s been less than a year, but it feels like it’s been a decade since the last time I was at Benning with you and Miles, running around, chasin’ skirts at the bars.” I sighed, letting it all soak in for a minute.
“Well, if you want my opinion, it’s much better on the other side. I mean, yeah, I miss the days of hanging out with you and Miles, going out, drinking, and whatever, but it’s more like a fond memory. When we were up there with you for Thanksgiving, that’s what life is really all about.”
I smiled, remembering how nice the long weekend had been with Miles, Colton, Karena, and baby Rose joining in our holiday festivities. “That was a blast.”
“So, this girl, Isla…” he let his voice trail off, prompting me to fill in the blanks.
“I’m letting her set the pace for now. She’s got a lot going on, especially now, with the custody situation. I’m not sure how that’s going to play out.”
“But if it was up to you?”
My heart raced as my answer fired into my thoughts like an explosion. “I want to be with her. Maybe it sounds crazy, but I can see a real future for us.”
“I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks.” I exhaled slowly. It was nice to have it out in the open and have some validation of the thoughts and emotions that had been bottled up inside me.
“And hey, you know Karena is a pro at planning a wedding in a hurry,” Colton teased.