I wish I could be there to soothe her.
“That sounds awful, but, like you said, it could have been so much worse. That must have been so scary for you and your dad.”
“And the twins … they’re too young to understand, and Dad is going to need my help with them, and a babysitter, until she heals.”
The twins.
Something I would never get used to hearing. Unlike me, Samantha had given birth to two happy, healthy twin boys.
“Will she have to have surgery?” I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed. Unlike Delaney’s bed, mine was unmade – a twisted tangle of sheets perched in the middle like a blobby white ghost.
“No. But she will have to wear a brace for several weeks and possibly do physical therapy.”
“Sounds like a long road ahead. Is there anything I can do for you all? Any way I can help?”
I expected Delaney to snap at me like she’d done earlier, but she simply replied, “Thanks for offering, but I can’t think of anything. We’re going to stay the night here. They set us up with some cots and a play pen for the boys. Hopefully, she’ll get released tomorrow or Sunday.”
“Do they know what happened? Who crashed into her?”
Madison was a small town; most of us knew each other or knew of each other.
Delaney was quiet on the other end for several seconds.
“You still there, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, sorry. Got distracted. Honestly, I don’t know who it was.”
“Well, no worries. I was just being nosy. I’m relieved to hear she’s okay,” I said, and I meant it. I wanted my daughter to be happy, even if that meant she enjoyed spending time with another motherly figure that wasn’t me.
“Happy birthday, Mom,” Delaney said, catching me off guard. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I guess … I don’t know … I’m just stubborn sometimes. And I should have said it earlier, but then this happened and … I forgot. I love you and I’m sorry I’m not home to celebrate with you. Remember those cakes we used to make?”
I pinched my eyes shut, fighting back tears.
“Yes, of course I do,” I said, unable to hide the shake in my voice. “I miss doing that.” Tears tickled the corner of each eye. It felt so good to hear my daughter, my Delaney, again.
“I wish you were here, too, but your dad and Sam and your brothers need you now. We’ll have our cakes later.”
“Love you,” Delaney said again. I thought about the picture on her phone, the inevitable conversation we’d have to have when she got home...
But for now, I just wanted to enjoy my daughter not hating me.
“I love you too, Laney Bug. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I clicked end and clutched the phone to my chest. Finally, I could let the tears spill over, but then my phone buzzed, vibrating against chest.
This time it was Pam.
Don’t forget to check out the dating site! I want all the deets when you do!
I groaned. The irritation I’d felt earlier fluttered back, but then instantly dissipated. Maybe it was the high from Delaney’s call or the traces of liquor…but, for the first time, I wondered if joining the site might be fun.
It couldn’t hurt, could it?
And I’m sure they had good intentions when they set me up a profile on the site.
Michael had moved on with his new family. And Delaney … Delaney was getting older and developing love interests of her own.
Apparently.
I have to start dating again some time. Maybe there’s no better time than now.
Inside my purse, I found the crumpled piece of paper with the username and password on it.
Should I?
I could imagine Pam beside me saying, ‘Hell yes, you silly bitch. Do it!’
Delaney had swiped the wine, but she didn’t know about the stash in my bedroom. I unlocked the tiny metal safe in my closet. Beside the handgun and cash, there were two miniature bottles of whiskey. I grabbed a cold Coke and tumbler from the kitchen, then sat down at the computer with my drink. Nervously, I added the whiskey and logged onto the site.
After a few long swigs, I mustered up enough courage to click “publish” on my new dating profile.
What’s the worst that could happen?
The One Night Stand: Chapter 5
NOW
What’s the worst that could happen?
Well, I’ll tell you what. Dead bodies. Two of them. And not a clue what to do with either.
At the kitchen table, I gripped my glass of whiskey, swishing it round and around in my hands. This time, there was no Coke. Just me and the glass and the whiskey.
Although a stiff drink was highly needed now, it wasn’t a good idea – I had several tasks to complete, and one involved driving.
The dead man’s car was still parked outside. I couldn’t see it from the kitchen in the dark, but I could feel it there – a warning pulse, sending shivers up and down my spine.
I must get rid of that car.
For once, I was glad that Delaney was staying the night with Michael.
Which means I have all night to fix things.
I still hadn’t located the man’s ID, but I’d found the keys to his sleek ride tucked inside the visor. The registration and insurance in the glove box identified him as Robin Regal, a name that meant absolutely nothing to me.
But there was an address—and that itself was slightly familiar. Robin Regal lived on Grant Street, in what I guessed was an apartment in the business district of Madison.
I know his name now, but who is he exactly?
I’d never been to his house, but I knew the area.
How did he get here, and why did he come?
I’d gone on several dates over the last few weeks, but not with this man, and not with anyone from my own town of Madison.
He wasn’t a friend of Michael’s, not someone I knew
