Only with You: A Second Chance Widower Small Town Romance (Annapolis Harbor Book 1)

It was easy. It allowed me to focus on my classes.”
Looking back, Dad wanted me to be indebted to him. When he needed me to fall in line, I would.
“The only tie left is this apartment you live in?”
“Yes, and my nonprofit.” When I’d asked dad for money to start Kids Speak, I was thinking about what good I could do, not what he’d ask in return. I should have known better. I had plans to expand the nonprofit to other cities. Moving wouldn’t necessarily change anything. I’d already begun interviews for an acting director who could oversee the day to day operations when I couldn’t.
“He’s not planning on pulling his support from Kids Speak, is he?”
“He hasn’t said that. I wouldn’t think he’d want the negative publicity that would come with that move.” Kids Speak was just as good for him and his business as it was for me. Although, he benefitted from the positive publicity, and I thrived on building kids’ confidence through improved speech.
I’d started an organization of volunteers who worked to identify children with speech needs who didn’t meet the requirements to receive benefits through the county or school. Speech therapists worked with them after school to improve their speech and confidence. Some parents didn’t know there were private options available or, if they did, couldn’t afford it. Schools were already stretched thin with budget constraints and limited staffing.
“That’s good.”
“You must think I’m an idiot. Who allows their parents to have control over their lives like this? I’m twenty-eight years old and I’ve never made a single decision on my own.”
Taylor shook her head in disbelief. “I’m sure that’s not true. Did he make you work here?”
“He was strongly in favor of it.” My stomach churned. I was embarrassed to admit the reach of my father’s control, even to a friend.
“If you don’t want to work at the U.S. Attorney’s office, I have a couple of friends from law school, who are opening a firm in Annapolis. It’s a general practice law firm. Maybe you could figure out what you want to do. It’s also—"
“The opposite of this job. It’s risky and not part of Dad’s plan for me.” But was that a way to live my life? Doing something dad would hate? First, I did what he wanted. Then what he’d hate. Either way, he’d still have power over me. But maybe I’d be happier in a job where I could practice law in a variety of fields, instead of just criminal law, and figure out what I wanted to do.
“Think about it. You don’t have to make a decision yet.”
“Do you think they’d hire me? I’d need to take the Maryland Bar exam.” The thought of studying for months for another bar exam was not appealing.
“You could take the attorney exam since you’ve been practicing for a few years already and petition the court to practice while you wait for the results.”
The attorney exam would be easier. I was touched Taylor had researched the options for me. I had someone looking out for what I wanted versus what I could do for them. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”
A smile played on Taylor’s lips. “You told me a few weeks ago that you needed to get out of Louisiana. Be honest with yourself—you’ve wanted out for awhile. Layton’s proposal was the catalyst to do something finally.”
I had told her that when I saw the job opening in Baltimore. The itch to leave, to get out from under my father’s thumb was strong. She was right. This feeling wasn’t new, but it had taken new meaning since the proposal. I had to do something. I had to figure out who I was.
“You’re right. Can you forward me your friends’ information?”
“Of course. Just so you know, I don’t want you to leave. You were the first person who was friendly when I moved here, but I think you need to. If you stay here, your dad will always have control over you.”
A shiver ran down my spine. Would my father always have some control over me? Would I ever be free?
I returned to my office to find my phone buzzing with messages from Layton and my father.
Layton: Babe, will you answer my calls? We need to talk about this. If you need me to say I love you—I will.
I snorted. Not that he loved me, but if I need him to say it, he would—how chivalrous of him. I ignored his message.
Dad: We need to talk about this. I think you’re making a mistake.
Hadley: I fail to see why we need to talk because I turned down a marriage proposal. My heart rate increased as anger spread through me.
Dad: You should have said yes. You created a scene by saying no.
I was embarrassed by the incident too, but I was more irritated that Layton would propose so publicly. If he knew me at all, he’d know I wouldn’t want something so personal to be played out in public. A second message came through before I could answer.
Dad: Have you thought any more about coming to work for me?
My fingers tightened on the phone. It was time I made my own decisions.
Hadley: No, I don’t want to and I’m happy with that decision. I’m not going to change my mind.
I turned off the ringer on my phone and opened a search page on my computer to look up the requirements to take the Maryland attorney exam.
The idea of moving across the country where Dad couldn’t reach me sounded better and better.

Chapter Three


Cade
Two months later…
On the way to my Hapkido studio, I noticed the new fancy white wooden sign hanging from a black iron post which read Arrington, Gannon, & Winters, with smaller words underneath, General Practice Law Firm. My eyes lowered to the Free Consultation sign in the window of the office next door. Maybe this was a sign I should take the next step with my businesses.
I opened the wooden door