Page 87 of The Deadbeat Next Door

“I don’t want to hear your excuses,” I said. “Getting this property is all you’ve cared about. You haven’t been to see me or the kids more than one time during the past two weeks, yet you’ve got a new roof on the house. I think it’s very clear where your priorities are.”

“Carrie, no. If you’d just listen…”

But I didn’t listen, because I was already running away from him. I was running from him as fast as I could and I didn’t look back. Not once. And he didn’t come after me.

***

I put the kids to bed and breathed a sigh of relief and sadness. Jenny had cried all the way home and for another hour after I put her to bed. Kayla claimed that Cody had just asked for their permission to marry me, but Jenny had built it up in her head, having no doubt that I would say yes, and assumed Cody would be moving back in with us immediately. Simon had stalked to his room and slammed the door behind him and even Kayla had been short with me. They might not admit it, but they’d been hopeful about how the day would turn out, too, and I’d let them down. I’d also revealed their hero as the kind of guy who would marry a woman to get a piece of acreage, but maybe they didn’t hear that part or, if they did, they didn’t understand.

My parents were seated on the couch in the living room when I walked in. I sat in the big comfy armchair and let out a sigh. I loved my parents, but I just really wanted to be left alone so I could have a good cry and move on.

“We’re so sorry, sweetie,” Mom said. “When Bart called us and invited us to the wedding, we thought…Well, we thought our plan had worked.”

I was so exhausted that shock washed over me in a slow wave as I took in her words. “Plan?”

Mom gave my father a look. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Norma Jane told us that you and Cody would be perfect for each other. She’s the one who found out that Cody was looking for property and she convinced Bart it was long past time he sold his old place. It was Bart’s idea to use the property as leverage to push you two together and Dilly—”

“Dilly was in on this?” Damn it, why did my chest hurt so bad? Was I having a heart attack?

“It was up to her to push you and Cody together a bit, make sure he thought of you when Bart made him the offer on the property—”

“Dilly dragged us both to Philistine’s. She very nearly got me fired.”

My dad chuckled, he actually chuckled, until he met my gaze, which was likely burning with the actual flames of hell and swallowed his amusement. “You have always been so dramatic, Carrie. You were never in any actual danger of losing your job.”

I was so mad tears welled in my eyes. “You all played with my life, like…like I’m some sort of helpless doll, and you think it’s funny? Was I really making such a mess of things on my own?”

“Of course not, dear,” my mother said, but she was biting her lip to hold back a condescending smile. She was lying. She and her friends just decided what was best for me and manipulated the situation. “All we really did was put you in each other’s way. It was up to the two of you to fall in love, to get to know each other, and see what Norma Jane and Bart saw right away.”

“What’s that?” I asked, my throat tight. Why was it so hard to breathe? Could a person die of fury?

“Why, that you two are perfect for each other,” Mom said. “Sweetheart, you take so much on your shoulders and you need a man like Cody to take care of you and remind you to have fun every once in a while.”

“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” I was going to move away, that’s all that was left for me. It was the only way I’d ever get any peace and escape from these meddlers.

Mom frowned. “Yes, and of taking care of everyone else. I’m not questioning your ability, Carrie, but it would be nice to see someone take care of you for a change. You and Cody…You could take care of each other.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to see Cody’s name flash on the screen. I hit ignore and turned my phone off. “Well, your plan worked,” I said. “I fell in love with him, but he doesn’t love me back.” The words came out against my will. I’d fallen in love with a man who’d never make me a priority, who didn’t feel anything for me at all.

Dad cleared his throat and leaned back on the couch. “We really thought he cared for you. Even his mother thought the two of you were destined to be together.”

“Cody’s mom was in on this, too?”

Dad chuckled. “She forced him to bring you to visit so she could meet you, see if she agreed with Bart and Norma Jane. She did, sweetie. We all want to see you and Cody happy and we think you could be happiest together.”

“Well, you were all wrong. You should have stayed out of it.”

“I told you a surprise wedding was a horrible idea,” Mom said, poking my dad with one long bony finger.”

“The surprise wedding was your idea, too?” I asked. “Hadn’t you done enough?”

“Actually,” Dad said. “It was May’s idea. I’m pretty sure there was alcohol involved in the planning, but it seemed like a romantic gesture and you are so darn stubborn—”

A loud banging at the door made me jump.

“I’ll get that,” Dad said. He was nearly giddy with relief at the opportunity to escape me. He pushed to his feet and left. He returned a moment later with May. “She wants to talk to you, Carrie.”

“I’m sorry, May. But I’m exhausted. Can it wait?”

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