Noah’s Journey(17)

“How do you know?” he asked, his voice suddenly sounding more serious than before.

“Well, she was in the store with her mom.”

“They served her while she was at your shop?” he asked, sounding panicked.

“No. Actually, she got a phone call from her dad. I just overheard her talking with him, and then she told her mother they had to go. I just assume the papers she mentioned are those your lawyer was serving. Unless she’s pissed someone else off, that is.” I stepped toward the back of the store for some privacy as a couple more customers entered. It was almost closing time, but I would let Hayden take care of it. I had something else to deal with right now.

“Well, dropping off Austin should be interesting.” He chuckled. “But she can’t leave town now, and after we go to court, that will be cemented. Unless she decides to settle this outside of court and give me joint custody. That would save a whole lot of trouble.”

“But we both know she’ll drag this out—you know, for the dramatic effect,” I added, and he laughed.

“I got another hour before I got to take him back. What are you doing for dinner?”

“Hayden leaves tonight around six thirty to drive to the airport. He flies out at nine. After that, I’m free.” Excitement set in at the idea of spending some time with Noah. Maybe now that Stacey couldn’t just pick up and leave, things could be different.

“I’ll call ya after I drop Austin off. Maybe I’ll grab something and we can hang out at your place.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his suggestion. “Okay.”

“I’ll call ya soon,” he said just before saying good-bye and ending the call.

“Girl, you better get home and shave.”

I turned around and found Hayden hovering in the doorway just behind me. “Don’t look at me like that,” he said when I cocked an eyebrow at him in confusion. “Last night, watching The Voice, those damn legs of yours felt like porcupines. If Noah is coming over, then you are in desperate need of a shave.”

“Why?” I said with a smirk.

“Please, if you don’t jump him, you are insane. Even I can barely contain the heat within me when he walks into the room. Tonight it will just be the two of you, and honey, you are so getting some.”

Heat rose in my cheeks as a smile spread out over my lips. God, I hoped he was right.





Chapter Ten





Noah



“I can’t believe you,” Stacey said as she stormed down the steps of her parents’ porch. “You have a lot of damn nerve.”

I shut the truck door so Austin didn’t have to hear this shit. I guess I had given Stacey too much credit. I actually thought she would wait until he was out of earshot to start in.

“You wanna yell at me, fine. But you’re damn sure gonna wait until Austin is inside. If you call me names and pull your fucking drama, you don’t do it in front of him.” I narrowed my eyes at her, daring her to spout more bullshit. “I’m gonna get him out, and you’re gonna slap on a smile and take him inside. After that, you can pick up where you left off.”

All she could offer was a glare as she crossed her arms over her chest.

As I gathered Austin and his things, he began rambling about Storm and Uncle Jackson. I smiled as he shared his excitement with Stacey. She did as I asked, replacing her scowl with a forced smile.

“It sounds like you had a great time,” she told him as she knelt before him.

“I did, and Daddy said I could ride him again Saturday.” He looked back at me, and I nodded, assuring him he could do just that.

“We’ll see. I’m not sure what we’re doing yet,” Stacey said, and his smile slipped. I ground my teeth and held back from letting her have it. She wasn’t gonna keep him from me, no matter how pissed off she was.

“Hey, buddy,” I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you head inside and let Grandma give ya a bath?”

He nodded his little head as he turned and wrapped his arms around my leg. “I’ll see you Saturday,” I said as I leaned down and picked him up. Wrapping my arms around him tightly, I gave him a hug and kissed his forehead. “I love you, little man.”

“I love you, Daddy,” Austin replied as I lowered him to the ground. He ran off into the house, and as soon as the door closed behind him, Stacey started once more.

“Suing me for joint custody. Really?” she seethed, her nostrils flaring and her hands fisted. “You’re an asshole. All you had to do was ask me, and I would have allowed you to see him.”

I chuckled because I couldn’t control it. “Allowed me to see my son, how generous of you. But let me tell you something. I don’t need your damn permission. I’ve been waiting for weeks to say a few things to you, so now seems like as good a time as any.” I stepped toward her, and she took a step back.