Legend (Arizona Vengeance #3)(52)

Chapter 23


    Pepper


I walk out of Starbucks, enjoying the afternoon sun on my face. With a cold-brewed coffee in one hand and a piece of banana nut bread in the other, I’m content with my choice for lunch.

There’s an empty wrought iron table that sits at the edge of the outdoor seating area right next to the sidewalk. I like to people watch sometimes so this provides the perfect spot.

I’m in downtown Phoenix because I had to run by Legend’s attorney’s office. Turns out I’m a material witness to a lot of what’s going on with Charlie. I was with Legend when he found her. And I’m the one that picked her up from the cold concrete porch. I’m also the one that’s seen Lida twice now come onto his property to make a scene. An affidavit was prepared which memorialized what my testimony would be and I had to sign it in front of a notary.

Legend almost seemed embarrassed when he asked me to do this for him last week, and we had our first argument because of it. I had to make sure he understood that I was with him, and that meant I was by his side, at the ready, for whatever he needed. He kissed me breathless and we made up quickly.

I get situated at the table and pull out my iPad, which I bring with me everywhere; it’s where I plot out my books. As I develop the story, I sometimes use my Apple Pencil to sketch out rough illustrations so I don’t forget them later. It’s too pretty of a day to waste inside but I’ve got work to do too.

    I nibble at my banana nut bread, sipping the delicious cold brew in between. I get lost in the world of Penelope and Bert. Poor Princess has gone missing and her parents are frantic to find her.

Smiling to myself, I rough out a rendition of little Princess, still a yellow, fuzzy gosling, taking a nap on the reedy bank of the pond they live on while her parents look for her.

A tiny ding indicates I have a text message which comes through on my iPad. I exit my drawing program and pull up a text from Legend.

It’s simple and it makes my heart flutter.

I miss you.

I don’t hesitate with my feelings. I miss you too. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

He writes back. I’m on the bus heading to the arena. You’re going to watch the game?

If you’re playing, always, I text him.

I wonder what he’ll write back but a shadow falls across my table. I look up and almost can’t comprehend the fact that Lida is standing there, looking down at me.

“Can I join you?” she asks in a tremulous voice. “Just to talk for a minute.”

I calmly tap the button on the top of my iPad to close the screen. I don’t want her seeing my message exchange with Legend.

I want to say no to her request to sit down, because I shouldn’t be having contact with her.

    More than anything, I want to run because clearly she’s been stalking me. We’ve never been introduced but she’s seen me twice before, both times intervening to keep her from Charlie. The first time, she saw me walking from my house to Legend’s, which means she knows where I live. The fact she’s standing here means she followed me from my house.

I glance around, taking in the mom with two children sitting at the table next to me, completely oblivious to the potential drama that could occur.

My eyes go back to Lida and her face is pinched with anxiety but her eyes are begging me to listen to her.

Hoping I don’t regret it, I motion with my hand to the chair adjacent to me.

“Thank you,” she says softly as she takes a seat. She’s wearing a pair of jeans rolled at the cuff, a white T-shirt, and a navy blazer. Oddly, her buff-colored suede loafers give her an air of normalcy for some reason, maybe because I’ve seen her in ridiculously high heels on the two prior occasions. Her hair is pulled back in a conservative low hanging ponytail and her make up is understated.

Sitting her purse on her lap, she gives me an apologetic smile. “First, let me apologize for following you here. I know that must seem crazy, but I’m going out of my mind missing my daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, feeling the tiny pull on my heartstrings.

She gives me a sad smile. “I know he named her Charlotte Elise. My attorney showed me the legal papers. It’s a beautiful name.”

“Everyone calls her Charlie,” I find myself offering and then kick myself mentally. Legend may not want her to know those things, but I’m not sure it really hurts anything, especially since I let her name slip before.

    Excitement flares in Lida’s eyes and she leans forward expectantly. “Really? That’s adorable and I’ll call her that too. What else can you tell me?”

I shake my head and hold my hands up. “I’m sorry, Lida. But I’m not sure I should be talking to you about this. I think Legend is the person—”

“Legend won’t talk to me.” She reaches over and lays a manicured hand on my arm. “But maybe you could hear me out…make him see that I’m better now and fully capable of being a mother.”

I have to wonder if this is a desperate attempt to circumvent the courts or does Lida really think I’d be willing to help her in opposition to Legend?

“Look…we don’t know each other,” I tell her firmly, but with what I hope is a note of understanding. “It’s not my place to get involved in this.”