Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
That’s one thing I remember crystal clear. His wife didn’t seem to care that he was taking me to a room. Nathan spends a lot of nights at my house with my mom, so I supposed she wouldn’t.
I’m the new girl in school, so is everyone going to think I took drugs and tried to throw myself at Jack’s father?
Jack.
This has to be something he’s a part of. Who else would do this? Was it payback, or did he really have plans to get me alone and do something to me? I swipe away at the tears running down my face. Everything was going so well, and it should have been a sign.
There’s a knock at the door, but before I can say anything, it’s already opening. My heart leaps, hoping it’s Tate, but it’s not. Instead, a tall woman with red hair enters. She’s in jeans but still has heels and a blazer on. Her hair is pulled up, and there isn’t a spot of makeup on her face.
Is this my lawyer? She must have gotten herself together quickly to come down here so late, but I’m not sure why.
“Rosie.” She gives me a smile. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Este Knight. Your attorney.”
“It’s Rosemary, and I don’t have an attorney.”
“Sorry. I’m used to Lilith calling you Rosie. I suppose it’s a habit.”
“You knew my grandma?” A small weight lifts off my chest as she nods.
“I did. She came to me a few years ago about getting her estate in order. Lilith didn’t trust the one and only lawyer in your town. Isn’t it interesting that he's a big part of why I’m here to begin with?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Abby Albright called me.” Tate’s mom called my lawyer? “When her husband passed, there were a few things that needed to be handled, and Lilith recommended me to her. Besides, I've already been poking around. You turned eighteen a month back.”
“And? What does that have to do with anything?”
“I think we should handle one thing at a time.” She takes a seat and pulls out a notepad. “Abby called me because her son was arrested this evening.”
“What!”
“Don’t worry.” She holds a hand out to keep me calm. “I’ve already got someone posting bail as we speak.” Her face turns very serious. “By the time I’m done with them, it will be the Porters and your mother that will be behind bars. Then I’m going to suck every dime the Porter family has in a lawsuit.” She smirks. “I’m going to go after his license too while I’m at it. Nathan Porter might be a somebody in Noblesville, but there’s a reason he practices in such a small town. He’d be eaten alive anywhere else.” She’s kind of scary but also very badass.
I press my hands against my cheeks. “This is a lot.”
“That’s why we’re going to start from the top.” She pulls out her phone and sets it to record our conversation. “Do you mind? I take notes, but I like to go back and listen to make sure I don’t miss anything. Which I rarely do.” Este winks at me.
She’s out for blood, and it’s not long before I find out so was Tate.
Chapter Fourteen
TATE
“Tate, are you sure it’s okay?” my mom asks when we arrive at the nurses’ station.
“I don’t know, but I’m not leaving here without her.”
She squeezes my hand and nods in solidarity as I go to the counter and ask where I can find Rosemary Lane. The nurse checks the chart before looking over her shoulder and leaning close to me.
“What’s your name?” She looks around to make sure nobody is watching, and I see that her name tag says Lori.
“Tate Albright.”
As soon as I say it, she lights up and nods behind her. “Fourth door to the left, room three seventeen.”
“Thank you.” The words aren’t even out of my mouth before my mom takes off in the direction the nurse said, and I rush after her to keep up.
When I walk in the room, my heart breaks at seeing Rosie in a hospital bed. My sweet darling girl looks so tired, and all I want to do is pull her in my lap and hold her forever.
“Tate!” The way she lights up at my presence changes the shape of my soul to match hers.
Without a word, I sit on the edge of her bed and pull her onto my lap. I’m careful with the IV she’s still got hooked up, but she curls against me like a tired kitten, and I kiss the top of her head.
Then I realize my mom is talking to someone, and I turn my head to see the attorney Este Knight. She’s been over at the house a few times, and today I’m grateful for her quick actions to get me out of the police station.