Wide Open Spaces (Shooting Stars 2)

“Why?” Hunter frowns.

“Everything has to be shipped or flown in, so they raise the price to make up for that.”

“But… eight dollars?” His nose scrunches up and his brows snap together. “That’s a total rip off,” he practically shouts, making me laugh and Zach chuckle.

“So you don’t want me to buy them for you?” I ask, and his eyes drop to the box of Twinkies in his hands—one of his favorite treats—before coming back to mine, looking conflicted.

“They better be the best Twinkies in the whole world,” he says quietly, almost to himself, and Steven, who I haven’t seen smile once, shows off a grin that looks just like his father’s used to.

“Here you go. You can pay for these when you check out.” Sally beams—again—handing Zach our fishing licenses and not me, making me roll my eyes.

“Thanks, Sally.”

“Sure thing.” She blushes, this time darker than before.

“Let’s go,” Zach mutters, placing his hand on my lower back and leading me toward the registers, with the kids heading the way. I try with everything in me to ignore the feeling of his hand on me as we walk, but it’s all I can focus on.

“Hey, Mom.” Pulling my attention from Zach’s hand, I look up thinking Hunter is calling me, but instead, I find Tina walking toward us with a scowl on her face that is directed at me.

Seriously, this is not what I need.

“Seriously? Not even a week!” she shouts, looking between Zach and me. “Not even a fucking week,” she repeats once she’s closer, and I automatically stop.

“Tina.” Zach steps in front of me, blocking her from my sight.

“I should have known. I should have known this was going to happen!” she yells, and I move closer to the kids, not wanting them anywhere near her right now.

“Mom,” Hunter whispers, moving in so close that his arm brushes mine.

“Not here,” Zach growls, blocking Tina when she tries to get past him.

“Not here? Then where, Zach?” she hollers, making Aubrey jump and whimper.

“Come on, guys. Drop your stuff and let’s go wait outside,” I say softly, while moving the kids toward the checkout counter farthest from Tina and Zach.

“Do not fucking tell my kids what to do!” Tina shouts, leaning around Zach and pointing her finger at me.

“Tone it down, Tina.”

“Fuck you, Zach. Your ex-girlfriend comes back, and suddenly you’re traipsing around town with her and our kids? I do not fucking think so.”

“Mom,” Hunter says quietly, and my stomach pitches when I see the look in his eyes.

“Honey.” I reach out for him, but he takes a step away from me.

“I’m taking you back to court, asshole,” Tina continues loudly, while my heart cracks open. “Steven’s already said he wants to move in with me, and when I tell the judge about how you gave up you and that bitch’s kid fifteen years ago, who do you think he will choose then?” She’s shouts at the top of her lungs, shoving Zach in the chest. Whimpering I, take a step back, not believing she just said that with the kids and a group of at least ten people watching.

“Dad,” Aubrey whispers, as Zach barks, “Outside now.”

But it’s too late. The damage is done.

“One warning, Tina. That’s all I’m giving you before I call in Arney. Don’t think I won’t have you arrested,” he whispers low, getting in her face.

Seeing them distracted, I move toward the kids and say quietly, “Guys, set your stuff down.” They each hurry and do as I instructed them to do then I lead them out of the store without looking back.

“Do you guys want

to wait for your dad, or do you want to walk with Hunter and me back to the house?” I ask once we’re in the parking lot, and Aubrey looks at her brother, waiting for him to make the decision.

“We’ll wait for our Dad,” Steven says, and I nod, giving them a shaky smile.

“I’m gonna take Hunter home. Stay near your dad’s truck until he gets out, okay?”

“Sure,” Aubrey says, and Steven lifts his chin towards me then wraps his arm around his sister’s shoulder.

“I’m really sorry,” I whisper, and with that, I walk away with Hunter walking a few steps in front of me with his face towards the ground.

“Honey,” I say, reaching out to touch his shoulder when we’re close to the house, but the shake of his head lets me know he doesn’t want to hear whatever it is I’m going to say. Not that I even know what to say at this point.

I’ve thought a lot over the years about how I would tell Hunter about Samuel’s adoption, and in my head, I knew all the right things to say and envisioned what Hunter’s reaction would be to the news. I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would find out about it in the middle of a grocery store with Zach’s children present.

As soon as I have the door to the house open, Hunter pounds up the stairs, leaving me standing in the entryway at a loss. Taking off my jacket, I toss it on the couch in the living room then take a seat in my granddad’s chair—one of the few things of his still remaining in the room—and put my head in my hands.

“What do I do now?” I ask, then jerk my head up when a knock sounds on the front door. Swiping the tears off my cheeks, I head for the door. Opening it just as Zach’s hand is hanging in the air, getting ready to knock again.

His eyes are filled with concern. His hair is a disheveled mess, as if he had been pulling on it on the way over here. “Are you okay?” Without giving me time to answer his question, he puts his hand against my stomach and pushes me back into the house. As soon as the door is closed, he pulls me into his arms. “I’m sorry, Shel,” he whispers, running his hands over the top of my head then down my back.