Cahpter 10: Her Ex-Husband

Someone knocked on the front door. Sally wasn't expecting anyone, but she opened it without looking. Big mistake.

"Hello, Sally," Colin Chambers, her abusive ex-husband, said.

A chill went down Sally's spine. She knew this day might happen. She'd hoped it wouldn't. Her tracks had been covered, but clearly not well enough. He must've heard about her aunt willing her this property.

She wished Sebastian was here. At least there'd be someone with her. Oh, Sebastian.

Her heart roared in her chest, knowing that she had to stand up to him at least one more time. The restraining order clearly wasn't helping her.

Sally tried to close the door, but Colin put his foot in the way. "Not happy to see me, Sally?"

"No. I'm not."

"Well, that disappoints me."

She had no idea how she was getting out of this. Her phone was charging in the kitchen, but she didn't want to run that way. She couldn't get there fast enough. Colin could run fast. He was an avid outdoorsman and kept himself in good shape.

"We signed the papers, Colin. We aren't married anymore."

"I can't come see what my ex is up to?" His gaze roved over the house and she wanted to punch him. This was hers. Not his. Hers. Inherited after the divorce.

She didn't want his stain here. This place was for her independence. To make new memories. To replace the ones that woke her up at night. The ones he'd supplied.

"What I'm up to is none of your business."

"Well, if you've come into money then I think we need to rethink the alimony. Or if you were holding out on me that you owned this, I'm sure the courts will have something to say."

She received minimal alimony from him anyway. She couldn't imagine living on less. "You can check the death records. My aunt died after we signed the papers."

Not that it was his business.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

She crossed her arms, willing her sprinting heart to slow down. At least the gray sky reflected how she felt. Colin must have brought the gloom with him. "No."

"Not very hospitable for a bed and breakfast," Colin said.

"I'm not open for business."

He glanced around. "So no one's here?"

"I have a carpenter on the way. Go home, Colin. You aren't wanted here."

My heart raced in my chest. I didn't want him here. I never wanted to see him again. The last time I'd seen him was before the closed the ambulance door. He was begging me not to press charges. He was apologizing like the abusive man he is.

She'd pressed charges. As many as she could. A kind policewoman walked her through the process. She'd had enough. Then fate intervened and sent her this bed and breakfast. She didn't think anyone, but her mother knew it.

She hadn't told anyone from her life where she was going. She didn't want Colin to end up on her doorstep. He had anyway and she was alone in a remote area.

Which probably made him happy.

He leaned against the doorframe as if he owned the place. She could slam the door in his face, but she'd bet he'd get his foot in before she closed it. As much as part of her didn't want to piss him off, that was old behavior. She needed to get him off of her porch. Out of her life.

She heard a truck in the distance, but she didn't want to rely on Sebastian to save her.

"Get off my property, Colin. Or I'll call the police."

"Will you? I doubt that."

"Watch me."

With a bravado I didn't feel, I spun around and walked to the kitchen for my phone. He didn't follow as I had suspected he would. When I walked back down the hallway, the phone to my ear, he stood in the same place.

"911 What is your emergency?"

"The man that I have a restraining order out on, is standing on my porch."

Colin's eyes widened. He hadn't thought she would do it. Tough shit. She wasn't taking his crap anymore. This ended here. Or at least she hoped it did. He put up his hands. "No need to involve the police."

He began to back away. She wanted the cops to come here even if he left. She was filing a report. Gone was the time that she would kowtow to this man. Or any man.

Sebastian's truck appeared on her driveway.

"Shit," Colin said, then ran to his car. He made tracks off of her property.

"The man is gone, but I want to file a report," Sally said.

"Is the threat over?" the dispatcher asked.

"Yes."

The dust hadn't settled when Sebastian parked her car. She had hung up. The dispatcher promised a cop would be out later that morning. Her heart still beat double time, but she also felt empowered. She had stood her ground and chased away Colin.

Sebastian looked behind him at the cloud of dust that Colin had generated. Then his gaze went back to Sally. "Everything okay?"

"It is now."

He approached her, concern etched in his brow. "What happened?" He rubbed his hands down her arms. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

How much should she tell him? She frowned. "Just someone I didn't want to see."

"Are you in danger?"

Sally cleared her throat. He'd acted like a Neanderthal when someone had merely looked at her. If he knew that her ex had been here, he might be worse. No need to tell him. She smiled. "No problem. I'll file a police report."

He stepped even closer to her. "Police report? Sounds serious. Are you in some trouble?"

"No. It's fine. He's gone."

"Who was he?"

She stepped back. She didn't need another man trying to control her. "That really isn't any of your business."

Sebastian frowned as he stepped away from. She appreciated that he was respecting her boundaries.