Shades of Violet by Hallie Lee

Author:Hallie Lee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WordCrafts Press
Published: 2022-12-20T00:18:04+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The Sprayer And The Smudged Mascara

Meadow

Uncle Wolf rested his elbows on the opened window of my car door. He stuck his head inside and eyed me over the heaps of mail and packages. “I’ve never understood how you drive in the middle of the seat like that.”

“You get used to it.” I opened the bag of food, and the aroma of barbeque chicken swamped the stale, dusty smell of old paper products. “Want some?”

Tempted, Uncle Wolf glanced over his shoulder.

“Lenny went back inside. I won’t tell.” When my uncle regarded me doubtfully, I added, “I didn’t poison it, I swear, but I am seriously angry with you.” And with a lot of people, I thought. Especially my daughter.

“Have you heard from him? Tell me the truth.”

“Why? So you can go tell the sheriff?” I glared at him. “You know, there’s nothing he can do. It’s been over twenty years. Things are different now. Mitch could even turn around and file charges against you and the sheriff for harassing him.” I experienced a sliver of satisfaction when my uncle flinched.

“We…I…would just like to talk to him.” His tone was measured. “You were a child, Meadow. He needs to account for himself. For what he did. For where he’s been. For his total lack of regard and responsibility and—”

I groaned loud enough to bring his rant to a stop. “No,” I said. “I haven’t seen him. And I doubt I will. He was ambushed. You and your buddies were waiting for him. He probably thinks I set him up. Or that I put Bella up to it.”

“Who cares what he thinks? Did he really expect for Shady Gully to welcome him with open arms?”

I wanted to argue and fight with him. To rail against them all. My uncle, the sheriff, and even Bella. Her betrayal hurt the most. How could she have found her father, which was a miracle in itself, and then arrange to see him behind my back? “There’s nothing any of you can do, Uncle. It’s time you let it go.”

“Just like you have, huh? That’s rich coming from you.” He regarded me. “This man cut your life off at fourteen. Not because of Bella, but because you chose to stop living after he broke your heart. What he did not only defined your life, Meadow, it stole it.”

I fielded the low blow. “Will you just please stay out of it. Give me some space? If he does show up, I don’t want to—”

“To what? Miss the chance to get back together with him?” My uncle’s green eyes sparked.

“I’ve waited a long time for this, Uncle Wolf. I never thought I’d see him again.”

“You’re a fool, Meadow.” I watched as he stepped away from the car, paced a little. Prayed his frustration away. Or whatever he did.

“Bella’s angry too,” I stoked. “Even with you.”

He grunted. “Well, I’m glad y’all could finally come together on something.” He turned as a big guy with a beard pulled his shiny truck to the back of the garden center, dropped his tailgate.

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