“He was in jail. Eric got into a little financial trouble and spent two years in Los Angeles County Jail paying for it.”
Corra’s mouth fell open as her fingers spread out against her breastbone. “What did he do?”
Cookie looked around not wanting to be overheard. “He borrowed some money, but they said he stole it. Which he didn’t.”
Corra wondered if Eric’s gambling problem had caught up with him. “Is he still there? Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He’s out now, but he was too ashamed to tell you.”
“So do you have a number for him?”
“No, but the next time he calls I’ll tell him you asked about him. I told you because I think you need to know. He wasn’t deliberately staying away. And now he’s trying to get his life together.”
Corra sat down on one of the steps to compose herself. She couldn’t imagine Eric in jail. No matter how much she disliked him she would not have wanted to see him go to jail. Thank God the kids didn’t have to witness that.
“When you talk to him will you tell him Jamie’s playing baseball now and he misses him? And Katie, she’s growing up right before my eyes every day.”
Cookie sat down on the step below Corra. “I bet they’re growing up so fast.”
“They are,” Corra said in a soft voice. She could feel her throat closing up as sadness consumed her. She wasn’t one of those women who tried to keep their ex from his children. She knew the value his presence would have in their lives. Eric had never been a bad father, only a bad husband.
“Uh, why don’t you bring the kids around the house some time? We don’t have to get along for them to get to know their cousins.”
Corra thought about that for a second. Rollin said Cookie had changed, and here she was bringing JoJo to church for a girls’ empowerment program.
“I’ll think about it,” Corra conceded.
Cookie stood up. “Well, if you decide to, here’s my cell number.” She reached into her purse and produced a business card.
Corra read the card. Econsola Hayden, jewelry consultant. Maybe she has turned her life around, and hopefully Eric has as well.
Chapter 8
Corra’s horse led the way around the track as she jumped up and down cheering him on. “Come on, number three! Come on, baby!”
Chris had phoned a friend and gotten them access to his corporate suite at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington. The suite came with your own attendant, table and chairs, and easy access to mutuels to place a bet. A few other people occupied the suite with them.
“Did you see her? That was my filly, she won!” Corra grabbed him by the arm and danced around. Her excitement brought a smile to Chris’s face. This is exactly what he wanted, to see her happy.
“How much did you bet on it?” he asked.
“Two dollars,” she said with a smile and continued to ooze excitement.
Chris raised a brow. Did anybody over sixteen still bet two dollars on a race? He reached into his pocket and pulled out some money. He handed Corra a fifty-dollar bill. “I lost this race, but whatever you pick for the next one put this on it.”
Corra leaned away from him and shook her head. “I can’t take your money. Two dollars is good enough. It’s all in fun anyway, right? Does it matter if we win or lose?”
“You seem to be doing pretty good so far, so why not increase your bet?”
Corra tiptoed and planted a kiss on Chris’s cheek. Her soft lips against his skin caused him to take a deep breath. He looked down into her smiling face and wanted to bend her over backward and devour her in kisses. But, at that moment the attendant walked over to ask if they needed anything. Chris ordered another drink, and then lunch.
In the middle of their meal, Corra leaned over and whispered in Chris’s ear.
“Thank you for today. I’ve never been to a Spring Meet before, nor have I ever sat in a suite. But don’t tell anybody.”
He held his index finger to his lips. “Mum’s the word.”
After lunch they returned to betting. Corra was like his good luck charm. Every time he let her choose and place the bet, they won. She came back after picking up an exacta win and handed the money to Chris.
“No, you keep that. You’re quite the gambler.”
She left the money on the table and shook her head. “I don’t want to be a gambler. Serious gambling ruins lives. I’m sticking with my two-dollar bets. I just want to have fun. You keep the money.”
Her face took on a more serious tone. Unintentionally, he’d just zapped all the excitement out of her. What had he said?
He pushed the money back to her. “Okay, two dollars a bet it is. We’ll have some fun. I didn’t mean to upset you.”