Page 9 of The Grouchy Lumberjack’s Bride

“Some women, yes,” I say. “You? It’s doubtful.”

She sniffs and looks back at her daughter. “We need to discuss this living situation you have with my kid.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “What about my living situation with my sister?”

Courtney sniffs. “I don’t think a single man should be living unsupervised with a teenage girl.”

I’m about to ask what the hell she’s implying when Sasha bolts to her feet. She stares at her mother for a moment before blurting, “Excuse me. I need to go to the restroom.”

“You know you’re not welcome around here,” I snap at Courtney once we’re alone again. “I told you that the last time I saw you. When you showed up drunk at my cabin. Remember that?”

“You said I wasn’t welcome on your property, but this is a public place, and you can’t kick me out.” She puts her fists on her hips and shoots me a glare.

Ruthie, the owner of the diner, comes over to our booth. “Cain, is there a problem?” She rolls her eyes in the direction of Courtney.

“No, Ruthie. She’s not staying long. Just wanted to swing by and say hello to Sasha.”

Ruthie eyes Courtney for a few breaths, then nods. “You let me know if you need any help, darlin.”

“Will do.”

“You might have all the women in this town fooled. Hell, the whole damn world it seems enamored of your sweaty self. But you don’t fool me.”

Ah, so that’s what this is about. She saw the post in the Saddle Peek, or someone told her about it.

I cross my arms over my chest, not caring if it makes me look bigger and more intimidating. I’ve never hit a woman and don’t intend to start, but if anyone deserves a smack or two, Sasha’s mom is the one. How many times can she abandon her daughter without consequences? The first time should’ve done plenty of damage. Although, I guess it did, just not to Courtney.

“If you’re here sniffing around for money, Courtney, you can turn yourself around. Any and all of the proceeds from that little endeavor are going into a fund for Sasha’s college.”

She gives me a chilling smile. “Let’s just say I’ve spoken to a lawyer friend, and it doesn’t look good. You’re a single man and only one step from getting naked on camera.” She clicks her tongue as if I’m a naughty child. “Not a good environment for my girl to grow up in.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I hiss.

There are a thousand things I want to say in response to her accusations. And a thousand more unpleasant things I want to say about her as a person. I want to ask her if she knows how much damage she’s done to Sasha. I want to tell her that no lawyer in their right mind would side with Courtney over me if it came to a custody battle.

I want to say that, but I don’t because what do I know about what a lawyer would or would not do?

I don’t know jack shit other than that I need to talk to a lawyer before this goes any further. Because there’s no way I’m letting this woman anywhere near Sasha.

chapter six

Jade

Living in a town like Saddle Creek certainly keeps you on your toes. You never know what’s going to happen when you walk into Ruthie’s diner for a muffin and coffee before work.

For example, the last thing I expect today is to walk in and see that bitch, Courtney whatever her current last name is, standing beside a booth where Cain and Sasha are seated. Courtney looks trashy (as always), Cain looks pissed off, and Sasha looks like she’s about to burst into tears or punch her mother.

Oh, Lordy, am I glad I never had any confrontations with my mother in Ruthie’s diner when I was twelve.

And then, as if my thoughts have conjured the ghost of intergenerational drama past, Sasha spots me. Her eyes go wide and then narrow.

I see the mischief she’s plotting from half a room away.

She bolts in my direction, scurrying across the room. Cain and her mother are deep in conversation and don’t notice where she goes when she leaves their table.

In the time it takes her to reach me, I don’t look at her but keep my gaze on Cain. I don’t know what he and Courtney are talking about, but I know that look. It’s his “I’m-about-to-burn-shit-to-the-ground” look. I’ve been on the receiving end of that look.

Sasha stops right in front of me, her eyes wide and desperate. “I need a favor. A big one.”