Heath silently cursed himself. He wanted to congratulate himself as well. Even as he’d enjoyed himself with his son, he’d ignored Ivy’s worries. Now they were coming home to roost. It’d been years since he’d had a sunburn. Now he remembered why Ivy worried about him gaining a sunburn. The back of his neck glowed red in the bathroom mirror under the harsh florescent lighting. His neck hurt, and it was hot to the touch. Heath must get through the day. At least, he had a hat thanks to Parker disappearing and bringing him a safari hat with the zoo’s logo on it. He’d forgotten his at home because he’d been too busy arguing with Ivy about her cane. A cane she’d pulled out about two hours into their time here. She wouldn’t let anyone get her a wheelchair. Instead, trudged on valiantly. That’s the least Heath could do. He didn’t want Geoff to think he was leaving because of a sunburn. Parker entered the men’s bathroom. “Ivy sent me in here with
“Your lawyer was kind enough to inform me he believes as long as she contests your divorce, you can’t remarry,” Parker said in a flat tone to Heath with little preamble about Monica’s attempts to slow down the divorce. She didn’t understand, or Monica wasn’t willing to accept that the divorce was final. Contesting never worked because she’d had a year to have both sides withdraw it. The ability to contest a divorce dated before the law of one year separated existed. “I’ve never heard of that before.” Heath said, annoyed with Monica.Parker could see Heath hadn’t expected Monica to try something this extreme. They knew Monica would be petty about everything. “It’s rarely done. Technically, the law won’t allow you to marry again until you’ve completed the divorce, and they’ve concluded any contested cases.” Parker wanted to throw something at Monica for how petty she was. The woman claimed to be proud. Truthfully, she had no pride. Her outrageous clai
“Once it’s cleared, the courts. If the documents aren’t misplaced or destroyed. With the war, and the questionable documents people are using to flee that region. It’s difficult to give you a clear timeline. Add the issue with human trafficking. Remember, Ryker’s involved in these illegal businesses. If she’s connected to him, she’s likely connected to all of it.” After some threats Parker received from Monica during conversations, she seemed very comfortable with violence. Those threats made this theory appear logical for Parker. He thought of Stockholm Syndrome as a possibility. Parker saw Monica as a kidnapper rather than a victim. “Really? Do you think Monica acts like a victim? Or a criminal?” Parker shrugged at Heath’s words. He didn’t want to speculate further out. He didn’t want to be wrong. Because he didn’t want to eat his words. Clearly Heath thought the later. “I don’t know. If she has grown attached to her captors, or she can’t trust an
“Mom. I want another ice cream. Can I have another?” Ivy, Kathy, and Geoff waited in the restaurant. Thankfully, the bodyguards stayed back at a different table. Heath and Parker were in the restroom. Ivy was unsure of what to do. Geoff wasn’t the only one getting antsy because of their delay. “Not right now. Your dad and Parker should return any minute. Then we’ll go have more fun.” She didn’t want Geoff sick from too many sweets. Ivy was worried about Heath’s sunburn. Why hadn’t he listened to her? It was just his stubbornness that would ruin today. It’d gone fine once they were in the zoo. Except Heath kept prying about her ideal home. It embarrassed Ivy to answer him. Ivy felt she’d no right to ask for. She’d change the subject to something about an animal. Heath would ask her about the wedding details. Ivy wanted to scream. She didn’t want to talk about this in front of Geoff. “Tell me, is Parker for real?” Kathy broke the silence a
As soon as Kathy realized the man she stared at was indeed Parker, she instantly struggled with the fear she’d found someone who played games with distinct personalities. She feared he didn’t have a strong understanding of his true inner self. Kathy wouldn’t waste her time with these types of men usually. She found them a waste of time because she didn’t want to deal with an immature man-child seeking constant validation and instruction on behaviour. That wasn’t what Kathy wanted, but she could suffer if she met with him socially. She just wouldn’t date him. The truth became obvious as the day continued. He wasn’t confused or shifty, as she thought he’d be about his personality or his maturity. Parker acted polite, well mannered, and with Heath, Parker’s professionalism came to the forefront before his distinctive sense of humour did. Parker swore a few times and even teased Heath. The men were more than just colleagues. Kathy noticed their closen
Ivy watched Geoff chatter away to his father as they awaited their turn to ride a camel. What would she do when Heath tried went to confirm his rights? He’d said nothing about it after he’d moved in. What would his parents do when he tried to establish Geoff as his firstborn? Geoff would inherit everything if Heath did that. Would his father counter by disinheriting Heath? Ivy knew she must talk to Heath and ensure he’d considered every angle of this situation. Then the thought of marriage raised its ugly head in Ivy’s mind. What if his parents disinherited Heath because he married her? What would Heath do then? Ivy couldn’t allow Heath to ruin his life if it hurt more people than helped. Who would benefit from Heath’s disinheritance? Could she find out? Would Heath know who would benefit? For all Ivy knew, Monica might have saved Heath, but she could try to stick her claws into Heath’s replacement. Heath should warn them. Monica seemed fixated on m
“Okay, that was fun, wasn’t it? Let’s go find your mom, Geoff.” Heath said as the camel zookeepers assisted them off the camel. “Yeah, it was fun. Too bad it wasn’t longer. Can we have a camel?” “Now, where would we put it? What would it eat? I think it’s better if they stay here. We can visit again another day.” That’s when Heath heard the distinctive rapid-fire shutter sound of a professional camera.Before he could react or locate the camera's sound, he was bombarded with rapid-fire questioning. Heath didn’t care what the words were or who they were. The paparazzi were invading a private family day with this garbage. He wouldn’t stand for it, or Geoff’s life turning into a circus because of what Monica told them.When Heath didn’t give the guy answers, he went after Ivy. His anger rose and Heath wasn’t sure what he said. He just wanted the paparazzi to leave Ivy alone.Now his security stepped in and removed the paparazzi from the area.Heath had
Kathy listened to Parker as he explained what she didn’t know about. Her eyes widened as he spoke. Her lack of knowledge exacerbated the situation. Kathy wasn’t sure how they’d deal with it if what Parker claimed he’d done wasn’t happening. This is worse than expected. I’ve been worried about Ivy sending Geoff to school. The kids have never been nice, nor have their parents. Some of the catty things I’ve overheard being said by several mothers. It’s bad.” “They said it in front of you?” Parker’s disbelief appeared obvious as he watched Kathy talk. She couldn’t believe he acted like he expected her to admit she was lying or something. “I’m considered the hired help. I don’t count. If I said something to Ivy and she confronted them. You know damn well know those mothers would tell her I lied and then pressure Ivy to fire me.” Kathy's voice was flat and her face twisted slightly. It disgusted her how these grown women gossiped. Kathy didn’t believe for a minute an