Dark Legacy by Jen Talty (reading books for 4 year olds .txt) 📗

her Carly. Was there a reason for the name?”

“It means a woman who has her freedom,” she said, turning her head. The tears stung the corners of her dry eyes.

“Did you know that when you gave it to her?”

She nodded.

“I guess now I understand why you didn’t like my boat’s name.”

He hadn’t a clue, and he never would. “I know it’s not really her name. She’s probably never heard it before.” Shannon clutched her necklace. Her heart filled her chest with one pounding beat after the other.

“Are you okay?” His warm hand squeezed her knee.

“It’s been a long time since I heard the name I gave her, much less talked about that time in my life.” She swiped at her cheeks. “This is harder than I thought it would be.”

“Do you want to stop?”

“No. I need to know.”

“All right. What about her father? You have him listed as unknown.”

She let out a sarcastic laugh. “And you think I lied about that.”

“I didn’t say that. But it’s one more avenue to go looking for her.”

“Well, I honestly don’t know who the father is. Go ahead, judge that.” The shame, guilt, rage, and confusion billowed to the surface like a tree being yanked from the ground during a tornado.

“You need to stop that. There is no room for me taking your inventory in this case. I agreed to do this for you because I believe in you and your reasons. Now, if you want to make my job a little easier, could you tell me who the potential father could be?”

“It doesn’t matter. No one but my parents knew I was pregnant. Not even the boys I’d been sleeping with.”

“You can’t be totally sure of that.”

“I can be, and unless you can’t find her at all without that information, which I highly doubt, I’d rather not utter those names.”

Ted Ratler.

Alex Angler.

Chad Roaming.

Rodger Williams.

Borden Cox.

She’d never forget their names. Their faces. Their laughter.

The hair on the back of her neck prickled as if the Tartan boat grew a pair of eyes and stared her down. They’d all been adults. Even Borden and Alex, who were both barely twenty-one at the time. Still, they should have known better.

They were all drunk and high on coke, but that didn’t mean she’d consented.

Or that the men hadn’t paid her father in some way for her services.

“This is hard for me because I consider you a friend, so I wouldn’t normally ask this question.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you want to talk about what happened?” His sweet voice glided over her old wounds like a medicated Band-Aid.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She smiled. “It’s just a lot of stuff I haven’t thought about in a long time. I’d rather not be in that registry or contact who might be the father. So, if there are other ways to find out where she is, I’d like to do that. I’m not worried about the cost at the moment.”

“It’s going to take time.”

“I’ve waited nearly nineteen years. I can wait a little while longer.”

“I’ll do my best. Now, I have one other thing I need to discuss with you. Do you remember that car that has been parked at the top of the hill most mornings?”

She nodded.

“Well, it’s registered to Ned Brendel.”

“No way,” she said. It was an interesting turn of events, and she wasn’t sure if she should be scared shitless or flattered that dear old Uncle Ned gave a crap. “I take it you know he’s my uncle.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Why is he spying on you?”

She untucked her feet and slipped them back into her shoes. “I honestly have no idea,” she said. “I haven’t spoken to him since my father died.”

Jackson scribbled on a notepad. She tried to peer over his strong biceps, but she couldn’t make out the words. “Why not?”

She didn’t need him digging more into her personal life. Looking for her daughter was crazy enough. Bringing the Brendel brand of crazy would be beyond insane.

“I’m not close with anyone on my father’s side of the family.”

Jackson glanced over the rims of his glasses. “Can you elaborate?”

“Like I said, my dad wasn’t a nice guy, and his family knew it. My uncle Ned has tried to reach out a few times this last year, but I haven’t responded.”

“That really doesn’t explain the snooping.”

No, it didn’t, and she’d be lying if it didn’t cause some concern. But she wasn’t about to discuss it with Jackson. That part of her life didn’t need to creep into her present.

Not ever.

“Mind if I give him a call? Ask him a few questions?”

“I kind of mind.” She raised her hand, chewing on her fingernail. “My uncle has a gambling problem—among other things. I’m sure he’s just looking for a handout.”

“That makes me worry he’d break into your home if he thinks you have something of value.”

“Can you call him without mentioning me?”

“I can absolutely do that.” Jackson took his reading glasses off and set them on the stack of papers he’d tossed on the table. “I think that concludes the business portion of the evening.” He gripped the armrests and hoisted himself closer.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

“I have this rule. Never mix business with pleasure.” He continued captivating her with his wicked smile and playful eyes. It felt as though he were holding her in his arms, even though he was a few feet away.

“It’s a good rule.” She tore her gaze away. No matter how attractive she found him, she needed to take a step back. Getting involved with him would only cause problems for both of them. “I have the same one.”

He stood and reached out his hand. She hesitated for a brief moment, and before she knew it, he had his hands on her hips and his lips on her cheek. “I really like you,” he whispered.

She took a step back and swallowed. “I like you, too, but I don’t think this is a good idea, especially