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She didn’t seem to ever dress down. She had jeans, but they were branded, judging by the way they fit her perfectly and had a name written on the belt line. This morning she was wearing the loose pair with a flowy linen shirt and a massive hat.
Just the sight of her set me off some days. The more time went on, I couldn’t decide which I hated more—her, or how much I looked at her.
I tore my eyes away and got my work done in record time. By the time I was back at the house, she was working again. I was tempted to piss her off once more today when I noticed a car pulling into the driveway.
I could recognize the sheriff car from a mile away. Mike was a good guy, but he didn’t come out this way all that often. He preferred to stay in town near the diner or the bar.
“Shit,” I muttered.
“What?”
“The sheriff’s here.”
“Did you do something illegal?” Mollie asked.
“Why would you ask that?”
“I’m trying to figure out if I should back you up or not.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I said. “You’re here all the fucking time. You’d know.”
Mike’s car rolled to a stop and my heart kicked into gear. I’d already gotten myself into trouble too many times in this town. These days, I didn’t even speed.
“Cain,” Mike called. “Good to see you.” His eyes went to Mollie. “I don’t believe we’ve met yet.”
“I’m Mollie,” she replied. “I own the house, and am generally a pain in his ass.”
“Glad to see you’re not too scared off by this one,” Mike said. “Though that might change.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong, Mike.”
He hummed and pulled a folder from his car.
“You’re being sued, Cain.”
“What?” Mollie and I asked at the same time.
“Here are the court documents. You might wanna read them. And make sure you have your ducks in a row.”
I slowly opened the folder with shaking hands.
It was for custody of Eric.
“The DNA test was positive?”
“It was.”
Shit. That asshole had actually done it. He was suing me for custody. Mollie peered over my shoulder.
“I—I don’t?—”
“I won’t tell anyone,” Mike said. “All Iwillsay is ... good luck, Cain.”
And I knew what he meant.
To fight this, I was going to need all the help I could get. And for a guy who had never been a part of this town, I didn’t have much of that waiting around.
Jackie would do it. But she was the only person I had on my side.