Dammit.
The day went on and I’d made enough progress that I’d have time to go over and see Sarah for an early lunch. I figured since she was the only one working, the least I could do was to bring her something and sit with her.
As I cranked the bike to check my work, I heard the buzzer on the door out front and then footsteps, more like the sound of heels on my concrete floor. Only one person had a habit of making herself at home and I was going to officially run her off for good this time. I stayed busy and expected Heather to approach, but then Nancy’s tinny voice sounded.
“What a surprise to see you working.” Nancy stood over me with a small pink jacket in her hand that still had the price tags on them.
By the time I got to my feet, Monk was there to referee, positioning himself beside me. I’d asked him once before many years earlier to make sure I didn’t lose my mind and kill her, and as I stood there clenching my jaw until I thought it might crack, I was glad he remembered.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I glanced down to the little jacket and then met her eyes with a hard glare.
“You could be nicer, you know, since we’re co-parenting and all.” She grinned like a reptile and I expected to see a forked tongue slip from her thin lips. “Tani left this at my house after I specifically told her I wanted her to use it at school. She needs a new jacket. That tacky black number you bought her is falling apart.”
“She has several jackets and if you knew her at all you’d know the black one is her favorite. And it’s not falling apart, she distressed the denim.” Tani loved being creative with her clothes and I wasn’t about to do anything to stunt that part of her.
“Whatever. I need you to have a talk with her and let her know that when she’s with me, I’m in charge. She has a sharp little tongue for a six-year-old and I get that you’re used to letting her be a brat, but I’m not going to tolerate it.”
“I’m not telling her anything. You wanted to be a mother, so start mothering. But I’m telling you right now, you lay one hand on that child and I’ll snap it off like a fucking twig.” I stepped closer, towering above her and glaring down into her smug face. Monk’s arm was between us, his palm flattened against my chest.
She took a step back and laughed. “You’re threatening me?” I caught the smell of whiskey on her breath and heard the shop door open and more footsteps coming from the distance.
“You have the nerve to show up here after you’ve been drinking and talk about my parenting skills? Listen up you callous bitch, you’re not getting Tani. I’ll put you in the fucking ground before that happens. I lunged forward and she backed up laughing as Monk stepped in.
“Hunter?” Sarah stepped in with a pink box in hand and a surprised look on her face.
“Aw how sweet. She brought you something. Looks like you still have a nasty habit of keeping questionable girls around, huh?”
While I was fuming over Nancy’s audacity, Sarah remained unphased. She casually walked over and slung her arm around my waist, giving Nancy a challenging glare.
“Is there a problem here?” She narrowed her eyes and postured over Nancy who was a good inch shorter to begin with, even in heels.
“We’re discussing our daughter.” Nancy tossed her hair back and folded her arms across her chest.
Sarah seemed to relax a bit. “Oh, well then, it’s a good thing I’m here. Any discussion of Tani should include me as well. I do play a big part in her life.”
“And what part would that be?” Nancy stuck out her chin and glared at me.
“Sarah and I are engaged to be married.” I put my arm around Sarah and kissed her temple.
Nancy’s face twisted into a scowl. “You said you’d never marry.”
“Yeah, well I meant I’d never marry you. I’d never marry someone who puts their addictions before their own child, my child. And she is mine. I’ve raised her and I’m going to keep her. So take your shit and get out of my shop. Tani doesn’t need anything from you.”
She threw the jacket over her shoulder. “I’ll give it to her when I see her. Make sure she’s on time.” She glanced around the shop. “This is a nice place you’ve got here. At least I know those child support checks won’t bounce.” With that she turned and sauntered out the way she came.
Sarah let out a breath when she was gone. “I’m sorry to but in but—”
My lips crushed against hers before she could finish and Monk stepped away to give us some space. I pulled away, leaving her cheeks red with blush and her eyes bright with her smile.
“Don’t apologize. That was awesome.” I gave her another peck and then she lifted the box and gave it a shake.
“I brought you guys some pastries.” She smoothed down her hair and stepped back.
“Who’s looking after the shop?” I hoped she hadn’t run over thinking she’d only be a minute.
“My sister is in today giving me a bit of help.” She placed the pink box on my work bench.
I kneeled down and picked up my tools that I’d been using before Nancy showed and put them where they went. “That’s good. I know it helps. I was about to come over and see if you needed me to grab you something for lunch. One of us usually makes a run if you’re ever interested. I wanted to talk about the things that need fixed. We should make a list.”