~~~ Chapter 36 ~~~

 

He caught a glimpse of Josie the next morning, when Grace had sent her over with their breakfast. A haunting sadness draped over her as she quietly set the table and hugged Lacy goodbye. She hadn’t seen him. He’d stayed out of sight in the hallway, watching her. She’d kept looking up, as if she expected to find him in the doorway.

Cord closed the account book and massaged his forehead. He couldn’t concentrate. Christ, he couldn’t think of anything but Josie, and it was driving him mad.

He stole a glance at his children. Lacy somberly played with her rag doll behind the counter, and Matt simply sat in the corner and scowled. Cord shook his head at himself. It was his fault they were unhappy. He’d driven Josie away. But what else could he have done?

The bell rang out above the door and he welcomed the break from his thoughts. Until he looked up and saw Leticia Morgan walking into his store.

Cord groaned inwardly. Oh, why not? Maybe dealing with Leticia would give him something else to think about for a while.

"Afternoon, Cordell," she called, maneuvering her ample frame around a stack of canned salmon from Astoria. Cord almost hoped she’d knock them over. It would give the children something to do besides mope.

He nodded. "Leticia. What can I get for you? Or is this a social call?"

She stopped across the counter from him and sighed. "Oh, Cordell, I wish you would stop treating me like the enemy."

He forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. "Well, maybe I will when you stop threatening to tear apart my family."

Leticia shook her head and looked past him at the children. "I see it is true then. She’s gone."

Cord felt the claw tighten in his chest. "Had your spies out again, Leticia?"

"Cord, you know I only have the best interests of the children in mind."

Cord turned. "Matt, Lacy, why don’t you two go out in the garden and get some sunshine? Those green beans need picking." They gave him relieved looks and scurried out the back door without a word. Leticia always made him want to run out the back door too.

"What are you telling me?" he said, cold dread filling him.

She sighed again. "Cord, you know how much I disliked you keeping a single woman in your house. But I have to admit, she did take good care of the children. Now that’s she’s gone, well--"

"Well, what, Leticia? Spit it out."

"Cord, I have no choice. You’ve proven you can’t take care of them on your own. I’m going to the county judge and apply for custody."

Anger erupted inside of him. "Leticia, if you do this--"

"Cord, I have to do what is best for the children. I’m sorry."

"You’re sorry," Cord said quietly, fisting his hands by his sides. "You’re sorry. You want to take away the only thing that means anything to me in the world--my family, Leticia. Those children are all I have left of Emily. I’m the only father Lacy has ever known, and you want to rip them away from me."

Leticia reached a gloved hand out to pat his arm. "Cord..."

"Don’t!" he cried, pulling back. "Don’t touch me. Don’t you stand there and tell me I’m not a fit father and then try to console me. Get out. Get out right now. You’re not welcome here."

Leticia backed away, a stricken look on her features. She rushed to the door, but stopped, her hand on the knob. "Cord," she said without turning. "I am sorry."

The bell rang out, mocking him. Cord leaned on the counter, forcing air into his lungs. She meant it this time. And she’d probably get exactly what she wanted from the judge.

"Dammit!" he cried, sweeping his hand across the counter, sending his account book and pencil flying. The soft thud they made did nothing to ease his anger.

He had to think of something, some way to keep his children. He could pack them up and leave this town, move so far away that Leticia could never find them. Dammit, he was not going to let that woman steal his children. He had to do something, whatever it took, or he’d have nothing to live for any longer.

Another solution came to him. One that tightened in his gut and squeezed his chest so that he could barely breathe.

He could just bring Josie back home.