“I thought she was working on a school report.”
“She had you fooled.”
“Obviously.”
“One question. Why would Lark, may she rest in peace, get it in her head that you were her father?” Kipp fought the grin quirking his lips. “Don’t take this the wrong way, pal. Lark was way too pretty. If your DNA got in the boxing ring, Rae’s won the match. Lark didn’t look anything like you.”
At the good-natured teasing, pain rushed through Griffin. He recalled the shocking phone call from his sister during his first semester at Ohio University. Learning that Rae—whom he hadn’t seen since their graduation from high school—was pregnant. How the gossips in Chardon were chattering that he was the deadbeat father.
How the news of Rae’s condition gutted him.
Yuna threw a saltine at Kipp’s head. “Kipp, baby-making turns you into an idiot. I’m not looking forward to another five months of your juvenile behavior.” Her eyes flashed. “Griffin was childhood friends with Rae. I know I’ve mentioned it—can’t you remember anything? What I didn’t tell you was that they dated in high school.”
“They did?”
“That’s right. Over time, their childhood friendship had evolved into something deeper. They broke up near the end of their senior year.”
“Ah. Now it all makes sense.”
“Go.” She pointed toward the hallway and the stairwell beyond. “Your daughter is waiting for you to read her a bedtime story.”
Chapter 21
As Kipp left the room, Griffin released a pent-up breath. He was glad for the privacy. He wanted to finish this quickly.
With interest Yuna studied the image on his phone. “Hester made this? It’s incredible. I’m surprised Rae never mentioned it. Of course, we hardly knew each other in high school. We didn’t become close until our twenties. By then, she must’ve packed the keepsake away.”
The casual remark injured Griffin’s pride. Was he surprised Yuna was unfamiliar with the keepsake? It seemed natural for Rae to pack away the box and all reminders of him. She went on with her life without a backward glance. Reason enough to feel a sense of injury, he decided.
By comparison, it took him years to get over her. A secret he’d never shared, not even with Sally.
Tamping down the reaction, he asked, “Will you return it for me?” He reminded himself of how much Rae had lost during the White Hurricane. Recently, she’d lost even more.
Yuna set the phone down. “I’ll pick it up from you soon. I can’t promise when I’ll take it to Rae. In a week or two.”
“Why the delay?” None of his business, but he was curious.
“She’s dealing with enough at the moment. The run-in with Penny Galecki last weekend, and now that woman’s totally crazy behavior. Whenever Penny drives through the square and spots Rae, she yells obscenities. She must be gunning her car in the bank’s parking lot, waiting to drive by when Rae steps out of the insurance agency.”
The frazzled monologue put Griffin on alert. “Mik Galecki’s wife, right?”
Yuna nodded. “Yesterday when Rae went in early to open the Witt Agency, there was garbage dumped across the entryway. I’m talking about a whole can of trash. Evelyn wanted to put in a call to Chief Johnson at the police department, and Kipp encouraged her to do so. Rae vetoed the idea. She thinks it’s best to ignore Penny’s antics in hopes she’ll stop. I’m not convinced she will.”
“What’s Penny’s interest in Rae?”
“Quinn’s been living at Rae’s house. He’s staying until he completes high school. Longer, probably.”
Griffin tensed. Rae has taken in Mik’s son?
He was still absorbing the news as Yuna retold how Lark and Quinn became friends. Two kids hitting it off during art classes at the craft emporium.
Mik’s position at Marks Auto was longstanding—Griffin had first met Quinn when he was a fearful-eyed toddler allowed free rein in the mechanic’s bay by his irresponsible father. Had Quinn found safety, thanks to Rae? The idea of him finally catching a break was gratifying. Given the turbulent nature of his childhood, the solitude of farm life would do him good.
The potential consequences for Rae, however, were chilling.
Drawing from the reverie, he heard Yuna say, “Quinn doesn’t know the half of what his mother’s been doing. Rae believes it’s best to keep him out of the loop. We’re guessing Penny’s lost another job. She has nothing better to do than hassle Rae.”