Page 9 of Daddy’s Pursuit (The Daddy Guard #1)

Chapter Nine

Life wasn’t nearly as good once Iris returned to her tiny garage apartment.

It had nothing to do with the size or condition of the place, either. It had to do with the fact that someone was standing at the door, blocking her entrance.

He was a short, slightly round man with a balding head and thick chin. The glasses he wore were on the tip of his nose, making him appear as if he was looking down on the entire world, judging it harshly. The stern expression in his eyes added to the image, too.

And if that wasn’t enough, the large sheriff’s deputy standing next to him certainly was.

“You Iris Dawson?” the shorter man asked.

It was evident he wasn’t from around there as his New York accent was thick.

“Yes,” she answered meekly, her mind spinning.

Was she getting arrested for something? She hadn’t done anything illegal. But why else would these men be standing there like that?

“This is no longer your apartment.” The squatty man thrust a piece of paper at her.

Her heart sank as her eyes read the bold print.

EVICTION NOTICE.

“What? But Mrs. Harkness owns this property. She rents this apartment to me.”

“Not any more she doesn’t,” the man said. “She hasn’t been paying taxes. I bought this thing at auction.”

“But… this is my home! It’s where I live!” Iris cried.

The world seemed to be spinning. She wished she was back at Auntie Athena’s place.

But wishing wouldn’t do any good and she couldn’t hide from her troubles. The way it stood right now, she was officially homeless. Daydreams and hopes wouldn’t do any good. She had to come up with a plan and fast.

Suddenly she remembered something. “Don’t you have to give someone like a thirty-day notice or something before you evict them?”

“I did.”

“But I?—”

The sheriff’s deputy looked apologetic as he stepped up. “Ma’am, it looks like Mrs. Harkness was experiencing some dementia. She didn’t realize what was going on. She received plenty of notices.” He sighed and shook his head. “I hate that it played out this way, but under the law, well…”

“Under the law I own this house!” the rude man declared curtly.

“But I didn’t get those notices,” Iris tried.

The man waved off her protest. “Doesn’t matter. The notices were sent to the property owner. Whatever arrangement you and her had is none of my concern. She got moved to a nursing home today. Now you need to pack your things and get out.” He sneered. “Not that you have much.”

Anger and embarrassment flashed through Iris. That man had obviously entered the garage apartment. Had he seen her stuff? She didn’t have anything she wouldn’t want anyone to see—like Little gear. She couldn’t afford that. Still, just the thought of him snooping around enraged her.

And made her feel ashamed.

He’d clearly noted what measly possessions she owned. They might not be much to him, but to her they were the world.

“Ma’am,” the large, muscular deputy said in a soft tone, “I don’t like this either. But unfortunately, I’m bound by the law. He owns this house. Do you have anywhere you can go? Friends or family to stay with?”

Up until that point, Iris had kept the tears at baby. But that question forced them out.

“No,” she admitted. “There’s no one.”

He nodded in understanding. “Do you have money for a hotel?”

She shook her head.

“That’s not my concern, either,” the grumpy, greedy man said, waving his hand once again. “I don’t owe you anything and don’t look for a handout from me!”

“I can drive you to a shelter,” the deputy said. “Introduce you to the directors. They’re nice people and will give you a bed until you can get on your feet.”

She should have taken him up on the offer, but for some reason, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Instead, she shook her head and said, “It’s okay. Thank you, though.”

She hung her head, her shoulders shaking as she started to sob. She hated that they were seeing her like this, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

Finally, after she was able to compose herself enough to speak, she said, “I’ll go… get my stuff.”

“You have thirty minutes,” the new owner barked.

Don’t worry, Iris thought. It won’t even take me that long.

I don’t have that much.