Page 105 of Starting Over with You
I check my watch. “In thirty minutes.”
“Okay. I’m gonna go set up shop. Holler at me if you need me.”
“Will do,” I say, my voice a little weak. “Thank you, Matt.”
He tips his ball cap at me and heads out the door. I feel so much better that he’s here, but I wish it were Dean. I continue to clean before setting up my meeting area. Winston Moralle wants to bring a TeaPot Market to Thistlebrook. He owns a few TeaPot Markets, which are vintage teapot stores, in Nashville and Alabama, and with the success that the Ice Thistle is bringing to town, he wants to capitalize on it. His business is successful, but I’m nervous it won’t succeed here. We are more of a mom-and-pop kind of town, and I don’t know if the townsfolk will want a chain store of the caliber Winston is wanting to bring here. Nonetheless, I built one hell of a market plan for him. But I was honest, something that bites me in the ass sometimes. Though, I can’t lie. I want people to be successful because when they are, I am.
I should be focusing on this meeting, but knowing Stratford is in town isn’t sitting right with me. He has never been aggressive with me or violent, but this doesn’t feel right. I’m not scared, but Iam worried. Why would he be here if not to threaten me or try to get me to do what he wants? He can try, but I’m not budging. I don’t want to be married to him any longer than I already have been.
I want to be Dean Moore’s wife, which is fucking insane to think, but damn if I’m not certain I want it.
I smile to myself as I recheck that I have everything. The alarm sounds to alert me of someone coming down the drive, and I head to the front door. I open it just as Winston is getting out of his Tesla. It’s blacked-out and fully loaded. He steps out in a full three-piece black suit. He has dark glasses over his eyes, his hair bright blond and combed to the side. He looks clean, crisp, and reminds me of Stratford. My stomach instantly sours. This is going to be a long meeting. Still, I plaster a huge smile on my lips, but he doesn’t smile back.
“Kenleigh Robbins?”
I hold back my glare. “It’s Colburn,” I correct as he walks toward me. He isn’t carrying anything with him, which I find odd. I have binders of information, and usually my clients have at least a tablet or a laptop.
“Apologies,” he says, but his voice doesn’t seem the least bit apologetic. He’s a rather small man, thin, and my height. I know I’m on the tall side, but being around my boys, Dean, and Matt, I always feel small. With this guy, I feel massive.
Which makes me even more uncomfortable. Maybe I should cancel.
“Ready?”
I exhale hard and try really hard to ignore my apprehension. I think I just feel off because that man who tried his best to ruin me is in my town. With a nod, I guide him inside.
Wishing like fuck that Dean were here.
CHAPTER
FORTY-ONE
Dean
My heart is in my throat. I don’t like how frantic Kenni sounded, and I sure as fuck don’t like that her ex is in Thistlebrook. This place is her safe haven, and I refuse to allow that fucker to taint anything else of hers. My stomach is in knots as I dial Flint’s number. While I wanted to speak to both boys to ask for their blessing, this is not the moment.
I need Stratford out of my town.
Flint answers right away, and I can tell he’s worried about his mom. “Dean, Mom call you?”
“She did. Send me his location.”
“He hasn’t moved,” Ash chimes in, surprising me. But then, what if he’s with his brother for a reason? The reason being to give me the chance to tell them about my intentions with their mom. I swallow that back, though. Now is not the time. “I don’t know what he’s doing. He won’t answer the phone.”
My phone dings with Stratford’s location, and I have to make a U-turn to head to the outskirts of town. He’s by the town sign, andI’m unsure how that makes me feel. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”
“If you beat his ass, make sure to hit him four times for me,” Flint mutters, and the edge to his voice reminds me of Kenni’s feisty side.
“At least ten for me,” Ash adds with a laugh, and I can’t help but grin. “A good kick in the nuts too.”
“Got both of you,” I promise. “I’ll call you back.”
“Wait,” Ash says, right before I can click to end the call. “Word is you’re dating my mom.”
“Oh, we’re doing this now?” I ask, and I’m met with silence. “Okay, we are.”
“I have to say, I’m mad you didn’t call me before you moved in on my mom,” Ash tells me, and as badly as I want to laugh, I hold it in.
“In my defense, I did talk to your grandpa.”
