Always on the Run

10. Stranger

Hi guys! I've done it again, an update in less than a week. Woo! Okay, I'm back at work on Monday but I'm hoping I can update a new chapter before then. No promises because things might come up but I shall try. For now, enjoy this nice, long, juicy chapter. :) <3

***

As I stare at the picture of Jamie, my heart clenches with hurt. He was as good looking as a teenager as he is now. Seeing this enhances how much I miss him. Oh how I wish I could hold him in my arms. I need him.

Shaking my head of those depressing thoughts, I start trying to piece things together. I’ve met his family so how is it possible that this woman next to me is Jamie’s mother? Does this mean Clementine and Perseus are Jamie’s adoptive parents? Does this mean Russell is not really his cousin?

Then something else occurs to me. Was Jamie never told the truth because of his crazy family? What if no one else even knows he was adopted? What if his parents so desperately wanted him to have his inheritance they purposely didn’t tell anyone else about his adoption? If anyone found out, I bet you anything his inheritance would be ripped from him. Even though he’s now technically married—okay well officially he’s a widower—I’m sure Bronco and Beatrice would figure out a way to get the money back.

My stomach twists and turns at this information and I realise how important it is that no one finds out about this. Not even Russell. He at least won’t be a problem though as I haven’t seen him since we parted ways and I have no other reason to see him just yet. Besides I really need to focus on laying low.

Says she who is sitting in the pub in broad daylight.

I squirm on the stool at this realisation and make a mental note to leave soon.

Penelope’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Jamie?” she asks, her voice shaking lightly. “Is that his name?”

My head snaps up and I look into her tear filled eyes. It’s now I realise how I recognise her. Jamie has her eye shape. His colour is brighter but it’s very similar.

I forgot for a moment that she was still here. Oh god. She can’t know the truth about me and Jamie and everything else. Now it’s my turn to protect him. I can’t let his inheritance get ripped away. The only relief I have is that she hasn’t told Clementine and Perseus that she’s here. It’s obvious she wants to keep a low profile so perhaps it won’t be a problem.

Let’s just say I hope it’s not a problem. How the hell am I supposed to tell her why his family can’t know without giving myself away? What a mess.

My stomach drops as something else occurs to me. I’ve got to tell her that he’s in jail. Taking a deep breath, I nod then say, “Yes…his name is Jamie Finnegan.”

Her brow creases slightly and she looks at me with concern. “How do you know him?”

“I work for a lawyer’s office,” I explain. “He used to come in fairly often. I knew him well.”

This isn’t really a lie because I never did quit my job like Julian wanted me to. I told them I needed a month off and they gave it to me. I told Julian I had quit but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. I’m hoping that when the time comes to return, I will have either left him or talked some sense into him. I don’t really want to give up a job unnecessarily.

There’s a look of confusion in Penelope’s eyes. Then I realise I’ve slipped up. She’s going to wonder why he came in to see a lawyer.

“Look there’s something you need to know,” I blurt before she can question me. “Jamie—your son—he’s in jail.”