I held up one dress for Abby to inspect. She was unimpressed. I was already imagining future shopping events and wondering if I could pay Jenna to take Abby clothes shopping. I shook my head. That wasn’t fair. I kept bringing Jenna into Abby’s life, yet want to keep the two in different parts of mine. I was failing miserably.

I had called Miss Nettie to let her know Abby wouldn’t be coming back. Jenna was an excellent babysitter. Abby was always happy to go with her and seemed to really enjoy herself. I completely trusted her to take care of the most precious thing in my life.

“How about this one?” I said, holding up an orange sundress with a big yellow flower.

Abby looked horrified. “No! That’s not a princess dress.”

I shook my head. I pitied the man who tried to win my little girl’s heart. He better be rich and have a lot of game. Hell, she wasn’t going to settle for anything less than a prince. Abby was going to require a man with style and willing to put up with her rather high-maintenance lifestyle. She loved to be doted on, but I didn’t think she was spoiled. She was grateful for every little thing she got. She was just opinionated. I wanted her to be able to express what she liked and didn’t like. I would not let my little girl grow up to be one of those people who was steamrolled by everyone.

“Can we go to another store?” Abby asked, her arms folded over her chest as she surveyed the racks.

The shopping was limited in Beatrice. There were only a couple of stores that sold children’s clothing. I had a feeling, I was going to have to do some online shopping, which I loathed, or take a drive to Lincoln. My little girl was a diva and no ordinary store would do for her.

“There aren’t any more stores, sweetie. Let’s take another look. How about this one?” I said, pulling a pretty top with a matching skirt from the rack.

She studied it carefully before finally nodding her head in agreement. Hallelujah! I wanted to throw my hands in the air and do a little touchdown dance.

After a couple of hours of searching, we did manage to find a new summer wardrobe to fit her growing body. I had been putting it off, not wanting to admit my baby girl was growing up. Keeping her in clothes that were too small wasn’t going to stop the inevitable from happening. Soon enough, she’d be graduating high school. It was all happening in the blink of an eye.

“Okay, my princess, I think we’re ready to go home. I need ice cream after that shopping marathon.”

She grinned, nodding her head. “Me too. I can’t wait to wear my new clothes!”

I laughed, not fully understanding the thrill, but I was glad I could put that bright smile on her face. As we were walking out of the store located in a small strip mall on the edge of town, I saw them. My day was about to take a turn for the very worse.

“Son of a bitch,” I mumbled under my breath.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Abby asked.

The man I knew to be Aaron looked at me and smirked. His two friends were walking out of a shoe store next to the store we had been in. He waved them over. This was why I hated small towns. Everybody was forced to be in the same small space all the damn time.

“Look boys, it’s our old friend. Colton, right?”

I glared at them, not responding to the use of my name. Figured they’d find out who I was eventually. I pushed the button to unlock the doors to my Tahoe and quickly lifted Abby inside. I could hear footsteps and knew they were approaching.

“Stay here, okay?” I told Abby.

She nodded her head as I slammed her door shut.

“Back off, guys. I’ve told you before, I’m not into violence with my little girl around.”

“Oh, what a good excuse. You just know you’re going to get your ass kicked and that’s what you don’t want your little girl to see.”

I smirked, staring at the other two who had walked up and were now standing a few feet away from me. “You three really need to get lives, or jobs. You harass young women and bother guys who are with their kids. You’re scumbags and not worth my time.”

“Scumbags,” the guy I knew as Bryce said, stepping forward, trying to intimidate me once again. I stepped away from my vehicle. “Who you calling a scumbag, buddy?”

“Look, you three think you run this town and that’s great. You go ahead and keep thinking that. Don’t fuck with me when I’m with my kid. For that matter, I don’t want you fucking with Jenna either. Got me?” I said, glaring at each one of them.

They all burst into laughter, clearly feeling emboldened under the very misguided belief there was strength in numbers. I shook my head, hating what I was going to have to do if any of them laid a hand on me.

I stepped back, heading behind my SUV. If something happened, I didn’t want Abby to see it. As expected, one of them shoved me from behind.

Spinning around, I grabbed Bryce by his shirtfront and slammed him against the backend of my rig. “I’m not going to tell you again. I’ve let the three of you get by with your petty shit, but I’m over it. Come at me again and this is all going to end very differently for you. I don’t care if it’s one of you or all three, but you will not fuck with me again. Do I make myself clear?”

Bryce looked properly intimidated. I dropped my hands and stepped away from him. Shooting one of my meanest looks at the two men behind me. I walked around, got in the car and drove away without looking back. I heard a sniffle in the backseat and turned to see Abby wiping away a tear.

“Oh, baby girl, I’m sorry. Did they scare you?”

She nodded her head.

“How about we stop and get that ice cream before we go home?”

She sniffled again but nodded her head. “Okay.”

I smiled and pulled into one of the small ice cream shops close to our house. The entire time, I kept my eyes focused on the rearview mirror. I didn’t want them following me home. I knew this wasn’t over. They’d keep coming back for more.

“Chocolate?” I asked her when we got up to the register.

Abby nodded her head. We sat down at one of the tiny tables inside the restaurant. While she ate, I kept my gaze focused on my truck and the parking lot, looking for the guys to show up. Abby was able to eat in peace.

“I’m sorry you had to see that. You don’t have to be scared.”

“How come they were mad at you?” she asked.

I smiled. “Sometimes people get mad at each other for no real good reason.”

“They’re bad guys. I don’t like bad guys.”

I nodded my head. “Yes, they are, and I don’t like them either.”

I was beginning to reconsider my decision to move out here. A small town may not have been the best choice. It would be much easier to get lost in a big city. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure I could afford to stay off the radar in an expensive city. Shit just didn’t get any easier.

Once we were home and I got Abby settled into her room, each of her new dresses hung up on the tiny little hangers in her closet, I went into the living room to call Kevin. I need to keep myself busy. If I sat in the house, alone and bored, I would be tempted to call Jenna. I couldn’t do that.

I noticed her car was in the driveway, but all the lights were off in the house. She had probably gone out with Rose for another night of dancing. I ignored the jealousy that kept coming up every time I thought about her grinding against another man.

“Hey there!” Kevin answered on the first ring. “I was beginning to think you fell off the face of the earth.”

I chuckled. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easy. How are things going?”

“Nothing,” he answered my unasked question. “Nothing from Frank or his guys and definitely nothing from the police.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

“How’s it going there? I talked with that gym guy. He seemed like a good dude.”

“I started working this week. I only have two clients right now, but there are a couple of other people interested in me as their trainer. I don’t know if I’m going to stick around though.”

“What are you talking about? You just got there.”

I filled him in on the men making my life hell.

“You want me to go down there and kick some ass?” he asked.

“No. I got it handled. I just don’t know if living in a small town was the right move. I should have changed my name.”

“You didn’t have time. I can check around and see if I can get you set up with something.”

I thought about it. “Actually, that’s a good idea. See what it would take to get me and Abby new identities. If I have to leave here, the next place I land is going to be the last place. I’m not going to keep dragging her all around the country.”

“I understand.”

I cleared my throat. “Have they said who the guy was yet?”

“Some low-level drug dealer I would assume. The murder was meant to send a message,” Kevin said, in a low voice.

“No one’s said anything to you?” I asked again, worried Kevin would be held guilty by association.

“Nope. I’m good man. It’s all good. I do have a couple of orders if you think you’re ready to start working.”

I sucked in a deep breath. I wasn’t, but I needed to. It wasn’t just me who was depending on the money the pieces would bring in.

“I’ll get on it this week. Send me the specs and I’ll try and get some materials.”

“Will do. Take care of yourself and try to stay out of trouble.”

I chuckled. “I will.”

“Hey, wait a second, whatever happened with the neighbor?”

I groaned. “Don’t ask.”

“Ha! I knew it! I knew you wanted her. So, how’s it going? Are you two hooking up every night after my little princess goes to bed?”

“No.”

“Bullshit. Don’t try to pretend you’re not hitting that.”

“I’m not dragging her into my very messy life. She’s got enough shit to deal with.”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that.”

“Bye, Kevin. Watch your back and make sure you call me the second you hear anything.”

“You know I will,” he said and ended the call.

I felt a little better after talking to him. I knew Kevin could handle himself, but I knew Frank too. The guy was shady as hell and mean as a viper. If he wanted me, he was going to find me. He would systematically go after the people I loved to hurt me. Fortunately, that was a very short list.

I headed off to bed, dreading sleeping alone. One night with Jenna in my arms and I wanted it again and again. I liked how she had warmed my body, her soft breaths washing over my chest, warming me with every exhale.

It wasn’t meant to be. This was some kind of karmic retribution for killing my wife. There was no way the universe would give me another woman to love. It was probably best I didn’t. I was a dangerous man and trouble seemed to follow me wherever I went.