She slowly pulled out her phone.
“I have six original shareholders.”
“Call them.”
“Today?”
“This morning.”
“What if they say no?”
“Then you know.”
The CEO looked toward the house.
Then back.
“Why are you helping me?”
The Single Dad opened the gate.
Tested the swing.
Perfect.
“You needed someone to hold the post while you checked the angle.”
“That’s all.”
The CEO’s expression changed.
Not hope.
Close.
The Ex-Husband returned before noon.
Perfect timing.
The kind of timing that had probably won him business negotiations for years.
The CEO had her handbag over one shoulder.
Keys in hand.
She was leaving.
The Ex-Husband looked confused.
“You weren’t going anywhere when I arrived.”
“I am now.”
“I just want to talk.”
“Your attorney talks enough.”
“This is about our Daughter.”
“Then call her.”
“Take her to dinner.”
“Ask about school.”
“Stop turning her into a legal position.”
The Ex-Husband’s mouth tightened.
The CEO walked toward her car.
“Lock the gate when you leave.”
She told the Single Dad.
Then drove away.
The Ex-Husband remained.
The Single Dad loaded tools.
“You seem comfortable here.”
The Ex-Husband said.
“Three-day job.”
“You’ve been back.”
“Gate hinges.”
The Ex-Husband looked toward the house.
Then at him.
“You sleeping with her?”
The Single Dad stopped.
Slowly turned.
“No.”
The Ex-Husband stared.
The Single Dad continued:
“And you don’t get to ask me that like she still belongs to you.”
The Ex-Husband’s jaw tightened.
“You don’t know anything about our marriage.”
“No.”
“Or my Daughter.”
“No.”
“Then stay out of it.”
The Single Dad lifted his toolbox.
“I’m trying.”
He walked toward the truck.
Then stopped.
“But your Daughter knows about the petition.”
The Ex-Husband froze.
The Single Dad looked back.
“She understood every word.”
The man’s face changed.
“She read it?”
“Yes.”
“She’s twelve.”
“She’s smart.”
“She also thinks you’re trying to win her.”
The Ex-Husband stared.
“That isn’t what I’m doing.”
The Single Dad looked at him.
“Then tell her.”
Not a lawyer.
“You.”
The Ex-Husband said nothing.
The Single Dad loaded the toolbox.
“Have a good day.”
Then drove away.
The CEO called that afternoon.