Page 32 of Something Stronger
“Dad! We have to go!” Hallie was rushing down the stairs toward the front door with her dance bag swinging from her shoulder.
“Just a sec,” I called. I was looking over this purchase contract and wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything before I signed and sent it back. I’d decided to buy the three-year-old, and I’d been looking over the paperwork all day. I had a 5pm deadline to get everything sent back before the deal fell through. The Green Oaks Stakes was only three months away, and I was hoping to enter both horses.
“Did you get him?” She grinned as we made our way out to the truck.
“Get who?” I played dumb. Hallie was probably just as invested in this as I was.
“Maverick, silly.” She shook her head as she climbed in.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I chuckled as I cranked the engine and began heading toward the studio.
“Daddy. Maverick is only the fastest horse we’ve looked at. He was chocolate brown and about seventeen hands. Tellme you’re joking.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and I couldn’t help it. I started laughing… hard.
“Yes, sweetie. I bought him. He’ll be at the farm on Friday.” I smiled as she happily clapped in the back seat. “He’s going to need time to settle in though, so you leave him be until Craig gives you the ok,” I warned. Hallie was usually good around the horses, but she had been kicked once or twice from going too far too fast when we’d brought new ones around on the farm.
“Promise,” she murmured. We’d just parked at the studio and as we were getting out, Lou pulled up a few spaces away. Amy jumped out and ran inside, with Lou following behind her.
“Hey! Wait up!” Hallie rushed off in their wake.
By the time I got inside, the girls had already gone in to rehearse. Lou was seated on one of the loveseats reading a book and seemed unaware that I was even there.
“Busy day?” I sat down beside her.
“You could say that.” She seemed upset.
“Everything ok?” I watched as she started to speak but stopped herself.
“Not really, but there’s nothing you can do to help.” She sighed. “The past just seems to want to be the present at the moment and I’m trying to deal with it.” She shook her head. “Just ignore me.” She looked off into space as her face went from upset to blank.
“Ok, well I wanted to show you this. Did I put these in the right spot?” I pulled the blue costume from the bag sitting at my feet. “I worked on it all night.”
“It looks great.” She smiled and then it faded as soon as it appeared. “I need to make a call. Excuse me.” She stood up and went outside.
When she didn’t come back after a few minutes, I began to worry. Rehearsal finished and the girls came rushing out. “Allset, Daddy.” Hallie changed her shoes and began packing her things.
“Ok. Just a minute.” I waited for Amy to start getting her things. She looked around as if she wasn’t sure where her mother was. “Your mom went outside to make a phone call. I can wait with you until she comes back in,” I offered.
“She’s talking to my dad,” Amy muttered. “He came by this morning. He wanted to spend time with me, and she said no. They’ve been fighting all day.” She flung her bag up on her shoulder. “She’s prolly in the car waiting.” She turned and left, and a part of me hurt for her. The way she explained things made me think that this wasn’t something new. It seemed like this was something she was used to.
When I came outside with Hallie, Lou’s car was gone. Part of me wanted to look for her, but another part told me it wasn’t my business. “I think she needs a hug, Daddy,” Hallie lamented as we climbed in the truck.
“I think you might be right.” I drove us home. After fixing Hallie something to eat, I asked Annabelle to keep an eye on her. Something in my gut told me to go find Lou.
Ooooooooo
Louisiana
Charlie had been calling me all day. He suddenly decided after a year that he needed to see Amy. I could tell by the sound of his voice that he’d been drinking but I didn’t say anything. The last thing that I wanted to do was open up that can of worms. After leaving the studio, I took Amy to my parents’ house. Something told me that Charlie would seek us out, and I really didn’t need Amy seeing that tonight. She needed to be ready for competition tomorrow. After talking to my mom for a few minutes and filling her in on what was going on, she suggested that Amy sleep over. I thanked her and let her know I’d be by in the morning to pick her up for competition.
After leaving my parents’ house, I went to Life in Bloom. I wanted to talk to Carrie, and I needed to go somewhere and think. I didn’t understand why after all this time Charlie suddenly had an interest in Amy and why he thought he could just waltz back into our lives as if nothing had happened.
As I was climbing out of the car, Carrie opened the door. Her face looked sad as she watched me. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me,” I scolded. “I don’t want or need your pity.” I stormed past her and she let the door close behind us.
“That’s right. Get mad!” she shouted. “Let it out.”
“I’m so pissed right now. Why is he doing this now?” I stomped across the shop. It was after hours, so no customers were around. Carrie had several bouquet orders for tomorrow from parents who wanted flowers for their kids at the competition, but other than that I think she was just waiting for me. “He’s had months to be in our lives and when I finally start to move on, that’s when he decides that he needs to come around more.” I was pacing, fists at my side, and panting I was breathing so hard. “I hate feeling like this!” I stomped my foot.
It was then that headlights appeared in the parking lot and began shining through the front door. “Are you expecting anyone?” My head swung in Carrie’s direction.
