Page 61 of Harmony Island Gazette
When I didn’t respond right away, she took in a deep breath. “How do you know Collin Baker?”
I looked at her. “Collin Baker?”
She nodded.
“He’s been calling me about acquiring my mom’s house.” I nodded toward the house. Mrs. Godwin followed my gesture. “I’ve been trying to ignore his phone calls. He came to your house Wednesday morning, but I told him to go away.” I blew out my breath. “I’m not ready to sell.”
Mrs. Godwin narrowed her eyes. “I need you to answer every one of my questions.” She held up her forefinger. “No lies.”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Are you working for Kevin?”
Her question startled me. My eyes widened. Is that what Juniper thought? “Of course not.”
Mrs. Godwin studied me before she nodded. “Did you tell Collin or Kevin about the baby?”
A wave of protective energy surged in my chest. “Hell no.”
Mrs. Godwin didn’t seem phased by my response. “Good.” Then she grew serious once more. “Did you share any personal information about Juniper?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know Kevin or Collin. I’ve only talked to Collin about my mom’s house, and if I saw Kevin again…” My voice trailed off. I didn’t want to expose Mrs. Godwin to the slew of curse words that were about to leave my mouth.
I refocused my thoughts as I held Mrs. Godwin’s gaze. “I would do anything to protect Juniper and that baby.” My voice broke, but I continued anyway. “I would give my life just so they could live.” That was easy. They deserved to be happy. I didn’t.
Mrs. Godwin’s eyes widened at my confession. And then a knowing look passed through her gaze. “You love my daughter?” she asked.
It was the first time I’d heard those words spoken out loud. I stood there, processing what she’d just asked me, but also knowing that I swore to tell the truth. So I just nodded. “I do.”
She was silent for a moment. “Good. Then you’ll help me.”
I frowned. “Help you with what?”
She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “She’s meeting Kevin tonight.”
I swore.
“I told her not to go. I told her to ignore him. But she wants to say goodbye. She thinks she owes it to him.”
“Juniper,” I whispered under my breath.
“I need you to be there. You don’t have to let her know that you’re there, but I need someone to protect her.” She narrowed her eyes. “Can you do that?”
“Of course.”
She held my gaze before she nodded. “Good. I’ll find out where they are meeting, and I will text you.”
“Okay.”
She paused before she suddenly wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. She held me for a moment before letting go. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she studied me. “You’re a good man, Boone.” She glanced over to my mother’s house and then back to me. “Your mom would have been proud of the son she raised.” She smiled at me. “I know I would be.”
My heart ached at her words. I wanted to tell her to stop talking, but at the same time, I didn’t want her to stop. I didn’t deserve her praise. If only she knew how I’d failed the one person I should have protected. “Thanks,” was all I could whisper.
Mrs. Godwin lifted her hand and rested it on my cheek as she smiled up at me. “Whatever happened between the two of you, I’m sure she just wants the best for you.” She shrugged. “That’s all moms want.”
The emotions in my throat felt like they were strangling me. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to speak, so I just nodded.
She patted my cheek a few times before she pulled back and smiled at me once more. “I’ll text you,” she said before she fished around in her purse for her keys and pulled them out.
