Second Time's the Charm

He didn’t need a lawyer. Wasn’t planning to hang around long enough.

But if she could help him get back to his son any sooner...

“I’d appreciate any help you can give me,” Jon told her.

He wasn’t a lucky man. But he was a smart one.

* * *

THE SHERIFF HADN’T been gone five minutes, taking only the cell phone casing and the roll of cash with him, when Lillie’s phone vibrated again.

Who now?

It was nine o’clock and she was exhausted.

Dropping down to the sofa, she glanced at the screen. She almost ended the call, and then didn’t.

“Hello.”

“Lillie?” Kirk’s relief couldn’t have been completely feigned. “I wasn’t sure you’d take my call.”

“I almost didn’t.”

“Look, Lil, you were right about what you said. Again. I guess I was just using you, taking the easy way out, on my quest for my own salvation.”

If this was another ploy she was just too tired to see. Or even to care. Kirk lied. Jon lied.

Greg hadn’t been able to give her specifics since Jon’s record was sealed, but he’d committed at least one crime in the past, for which he’d been convicted. “I’m glad you’re finding yourself, Kirk. I really am. But I meant what I said. I’m done with you.”

She was. And it wasn’t even hard anymore. She just wanted him gone.

And Jon?

He’d lied to her, too. By omission.

She hadn’t actually ever asked if he had a criminal record. And if his record was sealed, chances were whatever he’d done, he’d done as a kid...in foster care.

“My father said he was going to disinherit me if I called you again, Lil, but?”

“Hang up, Kirk. I won’t tell him you called.”

“I’m not hanging up, Lil, because this call isn’t about me.”

Her head ached. She just wanted to rest. To escape for a bit. “For once in my life I’m putting you first, Lil. Thinking about you only, not in terms of what you can do for me, but in terms of you and what you need. My father and I have a long way to go...but we’ve been talking. And we agree on one thing. The way I treated you, the things I did—they were reprehensible.

“But even worse than the initial betrayals is the consequence of those betrayals. Please, Lil, don’t judge other people, other men, by me. I was spoiled and selfish and probably still am, but I mean what I’m saying more than I’ve ever meant anything in my life. It’s not right that you’re spending your life alone.”

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His words poured over her, not really penetrating. Just lying on top of her. Blocking off other sounds.

“Some people are good on their own, maybe even meant to be that way. Maybe I’m one of them, but not you, Lil. You are a natural nurturer. I know what I’m talking about more than anyone else on this earth, Lil, because I lived with you. I’d go days without even being aware of you and yet you’d be there quietly making my day better, easier. You always knew when I had an important meeting and you’d make sure I had a good breakfast before I went, and gave me time to myself to prepare if I needed it. You seemed to know what I wanted without my ever having to say so. You just knew.

“Because you take care of those you love instinctively.”

Those she loved? What did she know about love? She’d thought she was falling for Jon. Had been certain of it, in fact. When he’d been hauled off to the police station that afternoon, and his gaze had met hers with a plea she couldn’t decipher, her heart had wrenched so badly she’d actually thought herself in love with him.

She’d thought she’d known him.