He hung his head. “I was hoping to talk to you about the other night. I was really out of line.”
“Oh yeah? Did it take you this long to figure that out? Get out, I don’t want to hear it.”
“Please, Stacy, for my parent's sake, just hear me out. They’re real tore up about your decision not to buy this place. Heck, I don’t even know if you can still get out of the contract!”
“Did you tell them you tried to rape me?” I snapped.
His cheeks turned cherry red. “I did no –
“Did you tell them how you hoarded the deed over me because I wouldn’t put out for you.”
“Stacy –
“I’m going to make this about as clear as possible. I don’t want this place. We are leaving, and if your parents have a problem with that, they can come to talk to me themselves. I won’t stand around here in the store I paid for while you try and tell me you aren’t a disgusting pig of a man! Now get out!”
I noted the silence around us as the other customers turned to look Neil up and down. Though I’d tried to whisper, my voice had carried. One of the women I recognized from the town committee. Before long hushed rumors would spread of what Neil had done. Without intending to, I’d almost certainly destroyed his reputation and business in the area.
He tossed a manila folder on the counter and stormed out as an older woman walked in, nearly knocking her over. She looked in my direction, and I quickly grabbed the envelope and pulled it out of sight. I was almost positive; it contained the deed to the property. My heart quickened at the idea. Was I really ready to leave everything I’d created behind?
Planting a smile on my face, I tried to focus on the new customer as she approached. She was well dressed, nearing her late sixties but well kept. I watched her take in the gallery for a few minutes before she worked her way over to me. It seemed like she wanted to approach me but wasn’t sure how. The sensation was a familiar one. Often buyers didn’t know if the artist liked to socialize or not.
“Hi there,” I said, breaking the ice. “Is there anything I can help you find?”
She hesitated. “Honestly, I was looking for you, I think. You are Stacy, correct?”
“Well, that all depends on what this is about. If you’re looking for a piece, then yes, I am. If you are a reporter or something snooping around, keep moving.”
The woman laughed. “I like your spirit. Walker said, you had some fire inside of you. I can see why he likes you so much.”
My smile faded instantly as it dawned on me who the woman was. Once I made the connection, the resemblance between Walker and his mother was uncanny. She had the same shaped face as my own son. The racing in my heart and pit in my stomach almost made me nauseous. I’d known it was coming, but I thought I’d have more time. It was starting to look like we’d be on the run before the end of the week.
“What do you want?” I whispered.
“So, you know who I am then?”
I nodded. “You’re Walker's mom. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him; you’ll get my son over my dead body.”
“Please, I didn’t come here to argue or fight with you.”
“Right, why would you? There is no reason for you to get your hands dirty when you can just hire someone to do it for you. So, when should I expect my first court date?”
“You mean, how long do you have before you need to flee the state?” She countered.
I glared at her. “If that’s what it takes to keep my boy out of your clutches, then you better damned well believe it.”
She sighed. “I told you, I’m not here to start anything. Like you said, if I wanted to do that, I have people who could do it for me. I’m here to appeal to you as a mother…and to apologize.”
“I don’t think there is any need for that. You haven’t done anything yet.” I told her.
I didn’t want to continue the conversation. My nerves were already on edge with her presence there, and nothing she had to say was going to change my mind. She was the reason why I was terrified to stay in the small community. The fact that she knew