I watched as she joined their group. They strolled around the pond, stared at the fountain, pointed at the ducks, and carried on a conversation in loud and animated tones. They stopped at an ice cream cart en route.
I groaned. “Great, sugar, just what they need.”
Shannon laughed. “They’re on vacation too.”
“Let’s walk?” I asked. She nodded and we walked along silently, each lost in our thoughts.
Shannon spoke softly after a moment. “I heard about Daniel’s visit.” She waited, but I didn’t say anything. “He attacked you? Did you call the police?”
I shook my head. “Attack isn’t the right word. I didn’t call the police. Maybe I should have, though. I don’t want the kids to know their father’s been arrested. And then there’d be all sorts of other questions, too.” I sighed. “I did call my lawyer, Regina.”
“Did he hurt you?” she spoke quietly.
“Not really.”
“The flowers—they’re from him, right?”
I nodded. “It’s just… Well, I didn’t tell him where we would be staying. I guess he found out from Mrs. Witt.” That was the only explanation I could come up with, anyway. But it didn’t fit. I didn’t think our elderly neighbor would tell him anything. She knew the whole truth and she didn’t care much for Daniel.
“Should you check in with her? Ask her about it?”
I shook my head. “I left her a message. And I called Regina about them, too. I may not want to have Daniel arrested, but I’m not going to ignore his attempts to harass me, either.”
“Good for you, Claire. I’m proud of you for holding it together.” She cast a glance my way. “And moving, too? Any idea where you’re going?”
“Not ye
t.”
“Why don’t you come back to LA?” She was smiling. “Arthur wants to keep his place. It’s this beautiful craftsman home he’s been remodeling for years and he’s very proud of it. We’re putting my house on the market.”
I looked at her, shocked. “You want me to buy your house?”
She shrugged. “I’d offer it to you for free, even temporarily, but something tells me you’d turn me down flat.”
“You’re right, I would, so don’t try.”
“You’re ridiculous. Fine, you could consider leasing it. I’ll make you pay something every month so you wouldn’t feel like a mooch. And I’ll charge you double if you’re late with the rent.”
I stared at her. “More Shannon options, huh?”
“It’s a possibility, so don’t rush into anything. Okay?”
“Thanks, Shannon. I don’t think I could afford LA. I might eventually be a published author, but right now I’m still a middle-aged divorced mom saving every penny I have until I have some sense of which way is up.”
“I guess falling for your supposed boy-toy isn’t helping with that?” She nudged me, smiling.
***
It was a chilly night. We sat, happily huddled together, atop the bright red double-decker bus.
“I admit I haven’t ridden up here since Helen was little. She vomited all over my tweed coat.” Nathan Wiley stared at his youngest child with fondness.
I laughed. “I can see how that might color things a little negatively.”
Helen sighed. “You’ll never let me forget that, will you, Da?”
“How old were you?” Natalie asked.