Chapter Forty-Six
“You realize he might decide to rekindle things with his ex-wife.”
Kennedi looked up from the mixing bowl to Tabitha across the prep table. “He won’t.”
“If they are to start counseling as you said, it’s highly possible. Couples reconcile all the time.”
“Yes… No, I mean…” Kennedi shook her head, irritation roiling as she grabbed the oven mitts to retrieve the sheet cake base out of the oven. Tabitha had been riding her about Trenton the entire morning. “I told you, the main objective is to work through their bitterness for the sake of the child.”
Tabitha let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes. “Do you even hear yourself? Kennedi, can’t you at least consider for a second that he’s playing you? I thought you were smarter than that.”
“Tab, don’t be mean,” Evie chided, darting a look between them. Seated on the stool next to Kennedi, she held up the guitar cake design. “This is lovely. Kennedi did a great job on this, didn’t she, Tab?”
Ignoring Evie’s obvious attempt to tamp down the tension that simmered just below the surface, Kennedi planted her hands flat upon the table and returned Tabitha’s daring challenge. “For what purpose would he be playing me, huh?”
“Maybe to take away your father’s company. Or even this one, for that matter.”
“He’s helped to broker deals for Chase Investments, and we’ve signed a three-year contract for Chase Confections’s new space at Shaw Casino that opens next year. What in the hell would he have to gain by destroying that?”
“All I know is he didn’t tell you his ex is pregnant with his child! Shouldn’t that be enough for you to get a clue?” Tabitha barked.
“It hasn’t been determined if the child’s his!” Kennedi yelled back. “Is this about Trenton and me, or more about you and Jeffrey? You found out you were pregnant, and Jeffrey left you.”
“Kennedi!” Evie gasped, unmistakable discontent in her glare.
The swift glistening of tears in Tabitha’s eyes knocked Kennedi back from her rising fury. She rounded the table. “Tab—”
“Don’t.” Tabitha stalked out of the kitchen.
Kennedi started after her, but Evie stepped in her path. “I didn’t mean it, Evie.”
“Let her get some air. You both could use a minute to take a breath. That said, Tabitha wasn’t completely wrong. Maybe she could’ve said things in a bit less biting manner, but she had a good point. Trenton wasn’t honest with you.”
“So you agree with Tabitha? You feel Trenton is playing me?”
“Kennedi, you told us he’ll be attending counseling with his ex-wife this very day. I know you see what’s happening.”
Flooded with tears of upset and trepidation, Kennedi scratched her forehead, not wanting to face the blatant truth. But she needed to hear it. Her cell phone rang. She dried her eyes on the tail of her apron before checking the display and saw it was Brighton Gardens. A sudden foreboding chilled her spine.
“This is Kennedi.”
“Miss Chase, this is Tammy Whittaker at Brighton Gardens. Your father had a seizure and had to be rushed to surgery. There’s some fluid on the brain. That’s all I can say over the phone.”
“My father—” Kennedi’s entire body began to shake. Evie took hold of her free hand and squeezed lightly, stabilizing her enough to form words. “Is he okay?”
“You’ll need to speak with Dr. Marek.”
“I’m on my way.” They disconnected. She whipped off her apron and Evie did the same.
“Is he—?” Evie asked.
“He had a seizure and is in surgery. The nurse wouldn’t say more than that. I need to get there.”
“I’ll drive.” Evie hastily packaged up the cake and placed it into the fridge.
Everything inside Kennedi coiled tight in fear of what she wasn’t ready to face. “Thank you.”