Chapter 11
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At eleven that night, Roselyn Lockwood saw off the last guests and curled up on the sofa.
She pulled out her phone to scroll through her Facebook feed, and happened to see a nine–photo post from Teresa Sullivan.
The warm, harmonious scene of the Sullivan Family together left Roselyn distinctly displeased.
Today was Zack Logan’s birthday, yet Teresa, his daughter–in–law, not only failed to come home–she hadn’t even sent any words.
Every year, for two days straight, Teresa had been in the kitchen, cooking for the family. This year? She went home to her parents.
Roselyn’s irritation only deepened. Too vexed to sit still, she strode upstairs. She skipped the knock and stormed straight into Charles’s study.
She tossed her phone down beside him and snapped, “Tell me—what is this supposed to mean?”
Charles picked it up, gave it a cursory glance, and frowned in puzzlement. “What’s the problem?”
Bracing both hands on the desk, Roselyn leaned over him. “Today’s your father’s birthday. Not a word from her–she just ran off to her parents. Married into this family, and every bite she eats, every stitch she wears, comes from the Logans. Instead of honoring her in- laws, she goes home to slave for them. Has she lost her mind?”
M
Charles had no patience for petty family gossip. Pushing the phone back toward her, he said coolly, “You’re always going back to your parents‘ too, aren’t you?”
In his mind, there was nothing wrong with Teresa visiting her family.
Roselyn’s temper only flared higher. “How is that the same? When you and Teresa married, not a single person from the Sullivan family came. Wasn’t that a clear sign they’d cut ties with her? Now they see the Logan family riding high, so they let her back to kiss up to you- that’s the only reason.”
Charles’s brows drew together, but he ignored her rapid–fire rant.
They must want something from you. I’m telling you–don’t you dare lift a finger to help. They’re a pack of thankless ingrates.
“If they want your help, fine–but only if they get on their knees and beg for it–not once, but twice. Otherwise, forget it.”
Charles had heard enough. Leaning back, he said, “The Sullivans‘ business isn’t that big. They’ve got nothing to ask me for. Roselyn. You
can go.”
“Not necessarily. What if it’s–oh, I don’t know–money they’re after?”
Seeing his expression darken, Roselyn wisely mimed sealing her lips.
She left the study in a huff, leaving Charles with no mood to work.
Leaning back in his chair, he pressed his fingers to his brow.
He’d just noticed the caption on Teresa’s post–and realized, to his surprise, that today was also her father’s birthday.
Five years married, and he’d never known.
On reflection, he knew little about her at all–not even what she’d studied in college.
One accident, and they’d ended up in bed. She got pregnant. His grandfather had pushed for him to “do the right thing.” And so–he married her.
This marriage could go either way. He didn’t care. With her or without her, his life went on the same,
‘Past, present, future–nothing she did, or didn’t do, would ever matter to me. He thought.
On Monday, Teresa was back at the small–town school.
She’d barely stepped into the infirmary when Principal Jimmy Leach rushed in. “Dr. Sullivan–finally! I’ve been waiting for you.”
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11:27 AM P.
Chapter 11
He was visibly anxious, sweat beading his forehead.
Teresa frowned. “What is it? Did something happen to one of the kids?”
She was already reaching for the first–aid kit, but Jimmy caught her arm. “No–it’s just, there’s a charity fundraiser this afternoon. I hear a well–known businessman from Riverdale will be here. One of the second–grade teachers just went on maternity leave, and we’re short- staffed. I was hoping you could help watch her class–just walk the kids to the playground, stay with them until the event’s over, then bring them back.”
Relieved, Teresa said, “Ah, that’s all? Sure, I’ll take them this afternoon.”
At two o’clock, the school called assembly. Teresa, as promised, led Grade 2 to the playground.
Once they were lined up, she stood at the back, waiting for things to start.
It was autumn, the small–town air pleasantly mild. Gusts rattled through the orange leaves, sending them skittering across the ground.
Jimmy announced the opening of the event, and to
as
In the staff office, Charles was still waiting for Jimmy to finish up. Standing by the window, he glanced out and spotted her passing–and stiffened in surprise.
Liam Collins, catching his boss’s pause, asked in concern, “Mr. Logan, something wrong?”
“Liam, weren’t my movements supposed to be kept under wraps these two days?”
“Yes, sir.”
Charles’s brows knit. “Then how did Teresa end up here?”
In the early years, she’d done things like this–fishing for his schedule, engineering chance encounters.
Eventually, he’d had Liam keep his itinerary strictly private.
He hadn’t expected her to pull the same trick again after all this time,
Liam thought it over, then ventured, “Could Ms. Sullivan have… followed your car?”
તેને વાઘથી વધુનું સનો કોલ કે ગણે
Charles’s face hardened, but before he could reply, Jimmy came bustling in. “Mr. Logan, so sorry to keep you waiting. We’re shorthanded here–I had to see the students off.”
“It’s fine. Now that you’re here, I-”
Before he could finish, Jimmy clasped his hand. “Mr. Logan, we’ve got a lot of kids in this town, but folks keep moving away and it’s been hard to keep the place going. Without you, these kids wouldn’t have much to look forward to. So–just to say thank you–I’ve set up a little country–style dinner for you here in town. Hope you don’t mind the simple fare. Let us treat you to a proper meal tonight.”
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Chapter 11
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Charles meant to refuse, but Jimmy’s warmth was relentless. The “no” died on his lips as Jimmy declared, “Then it’s settled.”
By five–thirty, Teresa too had been roped in.
She tried to beg off, but Jimmy insisted someone “worldly” like her should help hold the table.
Against such enthusiasm, she could only agree.
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