Page 106 of Jagger

“I’m as good as there. I’ll see what I can do. But I can’t promise anything at this point.”

“And you call me a party pooper.”

“You are, but I hear happiness in your voice,” Esme told me.

I made a turn into town, enjoying the view more than I had before. Bright sun. Not a cloud in the sky. It was all just about perfect.

Even if I did feel like a black wave was threatening to drag me straight into hell. “I am.”

“I’m so glad.”

Her tone was entirely different. I heard noise and if I knew her, she was trying to create an IV coffee drip. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong.”

“I don’t believe you. Did Joel do something?”

She sighed and it was her dramatic sigh, the one I learned the first week I’d met her that I needed to be concerned about.

“Joel came in for a drink last night.”

“Oh, he did, did he? Let me guess. He was intimidating as hell to you, his second method of trying to get his way.”

Esme snorted. “He tried but he failed. But he did say something weird. He told me to tell you to watch the news in the next few days. He wouldn’t provide a date or tell me anything about what he’s talking about. Do you have any clue?”

Shit.

“I’m not certain.” It was time to hire an attorney, although at this point, I wasn’t certain what one could do unless he or she was a shark. And law enforcement wouldn’t help since he hadn’t openly threatened her. I didn’t want to alarm her any further.

“Well, I’ll keep my ear to the ground. I gave him a piece of my mind, but he is just a smug asshole.”

“Yes, he is. Just stay away from him.”

“I don’t plan on seeking him out, girl. But be careful. He was just… Different. Strained. I don’t know. It was like something happened. Did you hire an attorney or something?”

“Not yet, but I plan on doing that in the next week or so.” I’d also spent time searching for one in Danger Falls only to realize I’d need at least a law firm out of Roanoke at this point. The initial phone call had allowed me to know I was in for the long haul with Joel’s attempt to push forward the adoption, but I had a few elements on my side.

Maybe, somehow, he’d gotten wind of any inquiries they made.

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Let’s talk in the next couple of days.”

“I’d like that. Remember. Don’t give this phone number out to anyone.”

Esme laughed. “Not a chance. Wild horses couldn’t drag it out of me.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” I pulled into the community parking lot just a block away from Poppy’s, already taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Think about coming out.”

“I definitely will. Just take care of yourself and that sweet girl of yours.”

As I ended the call, a slight sadness washed over me. I missed our fun times together. It was so good to feel a connection to my past.

Grabbing my purse, I headed into the diner, thrilled that a couple of people passing by knew my name. How silly it was to feel happy that I was being recognized. That didn’t happen in Baltimore even in tight social circles. Not that I’d ever considered any of Joel’s friends anyone I could trust.

In this tiny town, everything was different.

Poppy waved as soon as she saw me. I headed for the small but luxuriously packed bakery case, breathing in the delicious aromas of freshly baked goods.

“You’re exactly the person I wanted to see,” Poppy said as she approached.

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