Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection Read online

  Stepping back, I open the door to the basement and make my way down the stairs. Not caring at all if the idiot follows me or not. For all I care he can stroll on out of here, get in his car and never look back. I just need to make sure he’s not dragging those two girls with him.

  Hearing the classy shoes on the steps behind me, I can tell the guy is following me into my kingdom. Flipping the light switch, purple and blue glows from behind my girls. Oh, yes. My girls. My computers all light up with neon so you can see inside. Vents blowing, some with water cooling systems, just for the fun of it. This room is always kept at a perfect temperature.

  Everything to keep my system working flawlessly. Besides that? It’s effin’ cool. Dark with color lights. You should see my Jeep. The same purple neon is hooked up underneath. A low whistle sounds from behind me. I don’t even have to turn to see the appreciation in his face because it’s flowing through the room in waves, worshipping the room for what it is…effin’ awesome, and heaven for those who appreciate it.

  “One rule. That,” I point at the right side of the wall housing three screens and a large TV. “Is my shit. Do. Not. Touch. Not ever, you hear?”

  Now I turn to make sure he understands that he won’t leave this basement alive if he breaks my rule. Oliver’s head snaps with a tight nod the moment my words reach his ears. Good boy.

  “Over here, I have a computer that’s still top of the line, but sometimes I let my brothers use it. Or the handful of clients who live around here that need to handle stuff from time to time. It’s a standalone system. I can still track your every move. I’ve got my own company where discretion and privacy are my first priority. Now…if you need help, I’ll be in the kitchen making cookies. After that, I will schedule some time to help out if need be. That okay with you?”

  Oliver holds out his hand. Glaring at it, I reckon it’s a peace offering for being a dick. Seeing as I like his sister and his niece, and don’t know what the future might bring, I take it and give it a firm squeeze before letting go.

  “Thanks. You don’t know how much this means to me. I love Serenity and Amelia, but there’s so much going on with our company that dividing attention is a struggle. And you’re right, it breaks down my ability to act nicely. To them, and to others. I hope the time I spend behind your computer will give me the ability to track down what’s going on…or at least…”

  “Take all the time you need, dude.” I squeeze his shoulder and head for the stairs.

  Turning to see him grab the chair to move it back. “Oh, and hey…there’s a fridge in the corner. Stocked with food and drinks if you need it. And check it out,”

  I point behind the stairs. Oliver takes a step to the side and his eyes widen. He lets go of the chair and walks past me to inspect the boulders.

  “This is your playground, isn’t it?” Oliver muses while he’s still admiring the different sizes of pillows that have the color and shape of boulders.

  One could jump in and land softly. Bury yourself underneath it and doze off, or… “Look up. I’ve placed a flat screen so I can play my video games to relax.”

  “Damn, Chester. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave this room.” Oliver shakes his head while he laughs.

  I realize it’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh.

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” Wait, what? Shit…I ain’t social.

  I’m frozen to the damn ground when he wraps me in a tight, manly hug. Yes. Totally regretting the words I threw out that lead to this. Shit. He must be aiming to catch up on the group hug he missed out on.

  My arms are still rigid alongside my body when I slowly raise one and pat him on the back. To me it’s more like an ‘it’s okay, you can let go now’. But I’m pretty sure to him, it’s an affirmation that I’m interacting in the hug. Dammit.

  He finally pulls back. “Amelia would love the boulder corner.”

  Glancing over, I know he’s right. “I’ll leave you to it and I’ll bring them down later so we can bring you some cookies and show them the man cave.”

  Oliver smiles brightly leading me to believe that this guy is actually not that bad. He’s just stressed the hell out. Turning, I dash up the stairs, heading for the kitchen because the next few hours are mine to spend with two girls.

  With every step of my bare feet inching closer to the kitchen, I can hear them interacting. Clearly, Amelia is the one doing all the talking.

  “But Mommy, I want to know how it feels like. I always walk barefoot at home already so why can’t I do it outside too? Chester does it.”

  Aw. I have to bite down on my lips so I don’t ruin the fact that they know I’m standing in the doorway. It’s way too precious because I can see Serenity is doing the exact same thing and I’m dying to know what her answer will be. Waiting a moment longer, I can tell by the way she’s still struggling, she doesn’t know how to reply.

  Stepping forward, I stroll into the kitchen. “That’s because I have magical socks that are invisible. You need to earn them and it takes years to get to that point.”

  Yes. I keep a straight face while I tell Amelia the truth. Oh yes, it’s a somewhat twisted version of it, but I can hardly tell a kid that it takes years to harden your feet so you can’t feel everything you step on or that you slice open your skin. That’s the very reason I don’t want her to walk barefoot outside. Inside, yes. Outside? Nope.

  She looks at me with awe. “Will you tell me your secret? The way I can earn them?”

  “You mean besides being a good girl and eat your veggies?” Might as well throw that one in, right?

  She nods furiously.

  “Well, the trick is to practice for years walking barefoot inside. But…you also need to put on socks from time to time so you can show your feet how much you love them. Nice bright ones and soft ones or the kind that goes all the way over your knee.”

  “Do you have those? Over the knee?” Her eyes are wide.

  Shit. The snort I hear from Serenity is a given I need to ignore her or I won’t keep a straight face.

  “Not anymore I don’t. Those were a bonus payment for getting my invisible magic socks.” I. Am. Brilliant.

  Amelia crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Booger.”

  “Absolutely. High price to pay.” I agree.

  “All right, you two.” Serenity grabs a bowl off the kitchen counter. “Enough about feet, let’s get our hands dirty. What kind of cookies are we making?”

  “Red velvet chocolate chip. Birthday cookies, right?” I answer and grab the chocolate chips and red food coloring of the shelf.

  Amelia gives a fist pump. “Best birthday ever.” She claims.

  When my gaze hits Serenity, she looks at me again with an expression I can’t read.

  “You’re truly something, Chester.” She closes her eyes and smiles.

  My chest squeezes. I could hear the admiration in her voice. To my ears, it felt like she came home from a hard day work and snuggled on the couch with ice cream.

  Without thinking, I place the ingredients on the kitchen counter and reach my arm around her. Pulling her close to place a kiss on her hair I inhale that sweet smell of honeyed peach.

  Glancing to Amelia, who’s wearing an even bigger smile, I ask, “Who wants to break some eggs?”

  “Me.” Amelia bounces before she gets to work. Leaving me to enjoy the feel of Serenity’s arms tightening around my waist.

  4

  SERENITY

  I’m on vacation. I’m allowed to surround myself with things that make me feel better, right? Regretfully, I let my arms fall away from Chester and step out of his embrace to help my daughter.

  Mainly because the hard reality slams into me that this isn’t real. I hate the fact my ex-husband painted a pretty picture and then proceeded to shred said picture before my eyes. Something like that takes away the ability to dream, to believe. It hardens you so you won’t open up again. The picture Chester is painting? It doesn’t feel like painting.
It feels like the sand between your toes while watching the sunset on the beach. It’s something you want to snap a picture of and yet you know it will never live up to the reality of the moment.

  Chester is such a heavy contrast to my ex that I am ninety-nine percent sure he’s legit. No lies, no mask. What you see is what you get and if you need more, he will move those bare feet to get it.

  Aw, those bare feet. Who never wears shoes? Does he even own them? Then there’s that rugged beard that definitely needs a trim and yet it’s very fitting. He’s a unique character, that’s for sure. The way he is around Amelia? I have to switch my thoughts otherwise I will start to cry.

  Like right now. She cracked an egg and it’s dripping off the counter, over the cabinets, on the floor and over his toes. He’s laughing. Laughing while he grabs a cloth and begins to wipe everything off. No reprimands, no flipping out. Just happy messy cooking. It’s unreal. But for this moment…I would like to live in this bubble and stay as long as it lasts. For Amelia who clearly needs it, and for me. That reminds me.

  “Did Oliver give you any trouble?” I ask while I take the cloth from his hand and start to clean the cabinets.

  Chester grabs another cloth and cleans his toes. “Yes. But I told him I’d take you ladies down there when the cookies were finished. That way he has some time to work while we enjoy some creative yummy time.”

  Walking to the counter, he scoops up a piece of chocolate and pops it in his mouth. Then he grabs another one and before I know it, his thumb is sliding over my bottom lip while a piece of chocolate melts on my tongue.

  “Oh, That’s so good.” I moan.

  Chester’s eyes flame and he sets his thumb inside his mouth before it slides out. “Yeah.” He croaks.

  Shit. How can I have such dirty thoughts with my daughter standing right here? What am I thinking? Cookies. That’s what should be on my mind. Him eating my cookieeee. Double shit.

  “Ready. I think.” Amelia interrupts.

  We both break our intense stare and focus on my little one whose face is covered with traces of white powder. The kitchen counter looks like a warzone but the bowl with the cookie dough seems perfect.

  Chester’s finger swirls along the side and disappears again into his mouth. “Yep. Ready.” He looks back at me, “Unless you want to double check?”

  His finger in my mouth again? Lemme think…shit. “I think you’re good.” Hot freaking flames light the skin of my cheeks on fire. “It’s good.” Much worse. “Ready. Just throw ‘em in the oven, okay?”

  I need a minute. Turning on my heel, I head out into the hall and swing my head back and forth. Where the hell is the…

  “Last door on the left.”

  Too freaking close to my ear and his hand is scorching right through my clothes. How can that be? His touch is so light on my hip and yet every time he looks at me or touches my skin it’s like magnetic field is activated. The things you read about in books, love at first sight? A connection? Drawn to each other? Magic. Like his freaking invisible magic socks. I’m starting to believe he wasn’t lying about those either.

  Dammit. I’m not ready to believe in anything. I have a daughter to take care of. A company that’s about to drag my brother and me down. Relationship? Love? I need to put Amelia first, what would she think if...I have no clue what goes on in that tiny head. Though her teacher mentioned she's a very advanced thinker for her age. She might understand if I...no, those are things that I can’t afford to indulge in right now.

  “Thanks.” I mutter while I speed walk my way to the bathroom.

  AMELIA

  Licking the bowl. I am licking the bowl. It’s awesome. Made it all myself too. My mom lets me help out so we always bake together. But this time Chester let me do everything myself. I will help with cleaning in a minute, but my fingers are still doing this ping pong thing between the bowl and my mouth and I can’t seem to stop.

  Mom and Uncle Oliver promised that we would spend the weekend visiting cousin Dale’s gator farm. Okay, they said the day, my birthday, and maybe get a hotel room so we didn’t have to rush and then go back the next day.

  It’s summer vacation time and we haven’t done anything for weeks. They explained that work was busy and I know they have to work to buy things, but I was really looking forward to spending time not thinking or hearing about how they need to work. That lasted about fifteen minutes. Then Uncle Oliver got a phone call and wanted to go home.

  I’m so happy Chester found us. He saved us so we could really do things family does. Spend time together.

  “Okay, Sunbeam. Gimme that bowl and wash up.” Chester takes it from my hand and I dash over to the sink.

  I also like how he talks to me and calls me Sunbeam. I wish we could sell our house and come live here. I wish he was my Daddy instead of the guy in the picture that I shoved in the closet behind my clothes.

  Mommy told me how my dad needs to work and thinks I’m pretty and sweet but he has other priorities. That’s why he isn’t in my life and never comes to visit. But I know she tells me those things because she doesn’t want to hurt me. The picture of my Daddy was beside my bed…until I heard Uncle Oliver talking downstairs to my Mommy. About how he hated my father for not wanting anything to do with me.

  That was the day I tucked it away. I cried but made sure Mommy didn’t hear or see. I understand how things can be. Julie is my best friend at school…she’s six like I am. Her Mommy and Daddy got a divorce. Her Daddy didn’t like her Mommy anymore so he went and found a new wife.

  I wish it was as easy for my Mommy to get a new husband. But I also think you’re not supposed to trade things. That always make you sad. But my Daddy left us. So maybe it’s okay for Mommy to get a new Daddy for me. That wouldn’t be trading, right?

  I take a deep breath and let it out my nose. Why does stuff always have to be so hard? Why can’t everything be as easy as making cookies?

  “Don’t worry little booger, your cookies will be done in another five minutes.” Chester pats me on the head.

  I throw my arms around his legs and hug him tight. “I wish everything was as easy as cookies.”

  SERENITY

  “I wish everything was as easy as cookies.”

  Those few words said with such longing cuts straight through my chest. The tears rolling down her sweet little cheeks are ripping my heart apart and make me feel like an even bigger failure. Yet I can’t make my body move. I’m standing, rooted to the floor, in the doorway.

  Chester is rubbing Amelia’s back while he shakes his head. “Aw, don’t worry little booger. It is. But you saw how messy the kitchen got, right? That’s how things work. Sometimes everything gets messy, but there is always a reason. You know…to make those yummy cookies. Let’s go see if they’re done so they can cool off.”

  How does he do that? Have an answer that’s perfect for her? She’s rubbing her face clean on her clothes while Chester removes the oven tray to let it cool on the top of the stove.

  I wipe my eyes on my sleeve as Chester turns. Shit. I don’t want him to see me like this. How does this stranger who just walked into our lives, barefoot, manage to guide us through these rough spots?

  “Would you like to play some video games or watch TV?” Chester asks Amelia.

  She nods and starts to clap her hands.

  “I could get her iPad from the car…” I start, but Chester cuts me off.

  “She can use mine, or the PlayStation with the big screen in the living room, or watch a movie, or just plain TV. What do you want to do little booger?” Chester addresses Amelia and she taps her chin to think things over.

  She tilts her head to the side and squints her eyes. “Can I have some OJ and watch a movie?”

  “Sure thing. Go and pick out a movie, I’ve got cartoons on the bottom shelves and a few classic movies in there too.” Chester points in the direction of the living room and Amelia dashes off.

  “Do you have any kids?” I cringe at my own question. “Sorry. I’
m nosy. It’s just that you’re so good with Amelia, I was just wondering…”

  “It’s okay, I get it. And no, I don’t have kids. Maybe it’s because deep down I still am one, or the fact that I see a lot of those tiny people at the Gator farm.” He shrugs his shoulders as if it’s nothing.

  “Not everyone is good with kids, you know. Most need to grow into it or have one of their own. Some even avoid them if they can. Or run like hell like Amelia’s father did.” Okay, that last part was muttered underneath my breath for own personal reasons.

  “He’s an effin’ idiot if that’s the case, doesn’t deserve somethin’ as precious like Sunbeam, so let the ass-nugget remain in darkness, suits him right.” My mouth drops by the anger in his voice, but mainly…

  “You seriously have sharp hearing. That last part wasn’t meant for your ears. Sorry.” Me and my big mouth.

  “No need to be sorry.” He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “Don’t ever feel like you need to hold back your opinion when I’m around. I’m gonna go check on Amelia, why don’t you make us some coffee, or tea, to go with those cookies?”

  A drink sounds good. My throat is as dry as the Sahara. His touch is captivating and his words are addictive. Like he can take away every worry in my life and holds a perfect world in his hands. As if he’s holding a bowl filled with cookies for you to take.

  My daughter was right… I wish everything was as easy as cookies.

  5

  CHESTER

  I’ve never had this. Well, duh…if I would have, there was no way I’d ever give it up. The living room is filled with the sound of cartoons. I couldn’t tell you what particular movie because that is not what is holding my attention. That would be the woman sitting very close to me on the couch. Next to Serenity is her daughter. They are both snuggled underneath the blanket I grabbed from my bedroom.