Jed handed me a box wrapped with a pink bow. I opened it up and found the angel Ki had sent me. I looked at Joe and back at the angel.
“Isn’t this the angel Ki sent me?” I was confused.
“Ki didn’t send you the angel. I did. I imbedded a cam with audio in it to keep an eye on you. It’s the same angel I gave your mom years before. In a way, this angel is your mom’s way of still watching over you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Tears glistened in my eyes. “You’re right. I am a lucky woman. There was a time it didn’t feel that way yet somehow deep down I never gave up hope despite those who sought to keep us apart. A lot of those wrongs have been righted, thankfully. Jesse and I are slowly mending our friendship.”
Chloe began to squirm and kick up a fuss.
“May I?”
“No problem, grandpa.”
Joe gently settled Chloe in the crook of his arm, and she quieted down. He was a natural. I loved watching the two of them together. Chloe was one lucky baby to be surrounded by so much love. I would ensure her life was filled with nothing but love.
I didn’t hear her walk in. I did recognize the clicking of those heels of her. Vivienne. What the hell was she doing here? Of course, the minute Ki left, she showed up like a grim reaper in Chanel.
“Well hello, Red.”
The grating voice made Joe and I look up at her. She was leaning against the doorframe, decked in her usual designer suit with make-up and hair on point.
“How charming, Joe Wharton returning to the scene of his crime. Kidnapping wasn’t enough for you? You need to flaunt your infidelity and the byproduct of your illicit affair with my sister too?”
“Get out before I call Ki and have you thrown out,” I growled.
“Easy there, Red. After all, Chloe is my grandchild too. Am I not entitled to a visit?”
“You’re entitled to zero. Zilch. Nada. You are a conniving bitch. You know you are in no way related to me in any way. Jesse told me about the birth certificate.”
That wiped the smug smile off Vivienne’s face. “She what?”
“That’s right, Vivienne. Or should I say Edith Rigel? I know how my mother’s parents adopted you. That little claim you had about Ki and me being cousins was a lie, and you know it. So, leave.”
I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was caught off guard, if only for a moment for she regained her composure at the drop of a hat. “Regardless of my heritage, I am still Ki’s mother. I have a legal right to see my grandchild. Now will you let me stay or shall we take this up in court?”
Joe glared. He handed Chloe back to me and stood up, positioning himself between Vivienne and me. If I had had the strength, I would have slapped the bitch silly. No creature was fiercer than a mother protecting her baby. Those primitive instincts rose up inside of me, making my hairs bristle. I didn’t want her anywhere near my daughter.
“Vivienne, haven’t you caused enough heartache?”
Joe advanced on her, got up close, and whispered something in her ear. Vivienne’s face paled. Whatever Joe had said, it was powerful enough to make the leopard back down. She glowered at me with those stone-cold eyes like the Medusa she resembled.
“Vivienne.” Joe made her stop in her tracks toward us. “If I ever see you anywhere near my family again, I will carry out my deed. You know it won’t go well for you. So, I suggest you heed my warning. I won’t be so lenient in the future. Mark my words.”
Vivienne stormed out of the room. I was flabbergasted.
“What did you tell her?”
I knew I shouldn’t ask but whatever it was, it had done the trick. She had left without a backward glance, which was fine by me.
“Zo, if I tell you, this goes no further than this room understood?”’
I nodded in agreement.
“Vivienne switched out Jed’s blood pressure pills with something else. I watched her doing it one day at the office. Even though the coroner ruled the cause of death as a hemorrhagic stroke, I believe Vivienne played a role in his death. I recall Jed complaining of severe headaches before his death. I looked up the symptoms and it confirmed my suspicions. Jed wasn’t taking his medication, and his blood pressure soared, causing a brain aneurysm. He was dead before he hit the ground.”
Silence filled the room.
“I told Vivienne I would go to the authorities if she ever showed her face again.”
“I don’t know what to say. I just hope she is gone from our lives for good. Poor Ki. He doesn’t even recognize her anymore. I think he has a right to know, Joe.”
“I’ll leave that to you.”
He gave me a wan smile. This man was a godsend. I gave silent thanks for Joe being a part of our lives.
The door opened, and Ki entered.
“How are my girls?”
His smile made my heartbeat faster. He always had that effect on me.
“We’re fine.”
Ki kissed my temple tenderly and caressed Chloe’s little cheek. He took a seat beside me on the bed. Our little family all in one room—Joe included.
“Joe, don’t go,” I pleaded.
“If you insist.”
Joe sat in the rocking chair. I gazed from Ki to Joe then Chloe. I had everything I needed right in this room. This moment was perfect. We had all came full circle. Ki and I—forever.
About the Author
Trisha Harley McCarthy is a certified Life Coach and prolific romance author specializing in fantasy, paranormal, contemporary romances and short stories.
Loving history, Trisha was captivated by historical romance then became enamored with contemporary romance novels. Coming across fanfiction and falling in love with the concept, Trisha began writing stories about characters in her favorite movie, Bridget Jones's Diary. After receiving several positive reviews, she caught the writing bug and published her first standalone novel, Just As He Is, A Romance in 2012 followed by the Astral Realm Series, Written Among the Stars and sequel Beneath the stars released in 2014.
In 2015, the release of Dimensions, a paranormal romance novel featuring other world encounters took the readers on a fantastic journey of ordinary collides with extraordinary. Also, in a new direction, Trisha also wrote Indescribably Blue, a fictional account based on Elvis Presley's death conspiracy.
Future novellas to be released in 2018, are “On Ice, A Hockey Romance” and a Celtic Magic series.
On a personal note, Trisha resides in Independence, Oregon with her husband Michael and their rescued Chocolate Lab, Elle. In her spare time, Trisha loves spending time on social media, traveling and reading her favorite authors!
Social Media Linktr.ee one click:
linktr.ee/authortrishaharleymccarthy
On Ice, A Hockey Romance Page 21