Page 81 of A River of Crows

“Sloan?” She heard Ridge climbing the steps.

She shoved the photo into her pocket and coughed loudly to hide the glove compartment's sound when she pushed it closed.

Ridge pushed the door open and stepped inside, nose wrinkling at the sight and smell of the trash can. “Are you sick?”

“Yeah, sorry.” Sloan wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Told you I’m a lightweight.”

“Wow, yeah.” Ridge rubbed the back of his neck. “Let me drive you home.”

“No, I’m good.” Sloan stumbled down the steps. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She patted her jean pocket to make sure the picture was there. Its sharp corner dug into her skin.

She waited until she was almost home before pulling over to the side of the road to look at the photo again. The faces had not changed. Sloan stared at the three of them until she started to cry. The crying soon gave way to screaming. She screamed until her throat was raw and her fists hurt from pounding on the steering wheel. Then she put the picture back in her pocket and drove home.

Chapter 24

Mallowater, TX, 1988

“Are you sure?” Libby asked again. “I mean, are you really sure?”

Caroline wrapped her trembling hands around her coffee cup. “I know what I saw.”

Libby shook her head. “This doesn’t sound like Jay. He adores you.”

“I’m his mistress.” Caroline’s eyes burned again. “I stopped by the library this morning. Found their wedding announcement in the Tyler Tribune. He and Anna married in 1970, five years before we met.” Caroline recalled that night in New York where she’d waited on his table. Jay was married; he had a child. Her relationship with Jay Hadfield had been a lie right from the start.

“Why didn’t you call me last night?” Libby reached across the table to touch Caroline’s arm. “How did you face this alone?”

Caroline wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “I destroyed the pantry.”

“What?” Libby asked.

“I destroyed the pantry. I need to clean it up before the kids come home.”

Libby waved her hands. “I’ll do it. Don’t worry about anything. I can stay a few days and handle the kids.”

Caroline bent forward, laying her head on her arms. How was this her life?

“When does Jay come home?” Libby asked.

Caroline lifted her head. “Friday.”

“Okay. That gives you some time to figure things out.”

“What is there to figure out, Libby?” Caroline’s voice shook. “I’m leaving him.”

Libby nodded. “You’ll need a lawyer to sort out child support and custody issues. I’ll ask Vince who he recommends.”

“What custody issues? I’ll keep the kids. Of course, I’ll keep the kids.”

“It won’t be that simple,” Libby said. “The court won’t take away all Jay’s rights because he’s an immoral man. He’s still their father. And you weren’t legally married to him, so I don’t think bigamy laws apply.”

An edgy, twitchy feeling crawled up Caroline. “He’s not taking them to her house. To Anna’s house.”

“I’m sure he won’t. Anna will leave him too, don’t you think?”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Well, either way, when you calm down, you’ll realize that keeping the kids from their father is not healthy. Sloan and Ridge love Jay, and he really is a wonderful dad.”