Where the Heart Is

Chapter 21

“You have got to be kidding me! Gambling debts, that’s what this is about?”

Bill looked ashamed under her gaze. “I was lost for a while after we parted ways. I got really drunk one night and had it out with my boss, which caused me to get fired. My parents cut me off to teach me a lesson; I just didn’t know what else to do. With the economy being as bad as it is, I needed to make some quick cash. I had a whole system; never did I think it would actually fail on me.”

Sookie took in a deep breath, snatching the jacket that he offered to her to stop the bleeding from her wound as best she could. “You really are an idiot, how much do you owe?”

“Ten thousand, and I’m short about half of that.”

She felt a migraine coming on. “I can’t believe you could be this much of a moron, Bill. You don’t mess with stuff like that; gambling is never a sure thing. Look, this isn’t my concern. I’m sorry that you’re in debt, but I really can’t help you. I have to get home.”

Bill stopped her from leaving. “You should at least let me take you to the hospital, fix that up for you. It’s my fault you got hurt.”

She waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I just left the hospital and have no intention of going back tonight, I’m a nurse. I can manage one little cut. I hope you figure something out, I really mean that.”

He nodded, watching with a heavy heart as she left the alley. Bill made a huge mistake when he took up with Lorena all those years ago. Seeing Sookie now, he would give anything to have her back.

* * * * *

“I am going to fucking kill him!”

Sookie placed a calming hand on Eric’s arm, luckily Jessica was with a friend because there’s no way she wouldn’t have heard his outburst. “It’s only a scratch; I think Bill has his own problems to deal with.”

Eric sat back at her side, inspecting her injury closer. “Are you sure that you’re all right?”

She nodded. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, but things got scary for a second there. The guy had a gun; I was terrified that he would use it on me. It doesn’t matter anymore, what’s done is done. I just hope Bill finds a way to get that money, I can’t believe anyone could be so stupid as to gamble. He should have tried harder to get a job. I know I have every right to hate him after what he did, but I never would have wished this for him.”

“Why were you even there, Sookie?”

“I heard a noise and wanted to check it out, but I regret that now. I should have just minded my own business,” she explained.

He gave a small smile. “I know that goes against your nature.”

She slapped him playfully on the arm. “I have my moments.”

Eric agreed, but really prayed that getting involved in Compton’s mishap won’t eventually come back to bite them on the ass.

* * * * *

Sookie held Jessica’s hand all the way to the local shop, promising that she could pick out one toy if she wished. Eric had a meeting with his publisher and she wanted this time to spend with Jessica, just the two of them.

“I know there’s a lot to choose from, but don’t go crazy.”

Jessica nodded adamantly, looking like a kid in a candy store.

She watched her with a smile, turning around just to bump into another person and letting out a breath of annoyance. “Are you stalking me now?”

Bill looked taken aback. “I didn’t know you would be here, but I’m glad that I’ve found you. I just wanted you to know that you won’t have to worry, I’ve figured out the money situation. I promise that Victor and his goons will never harm you again.”

Sookie would have felt relieved, but it was hard to take Bill at his word. He’d done nothing but lie to her in the past. “What are you going to do?”

He shrugged. “I’m just selling some of my stuff, things I don’t really need. It’s for the best.”

“Can I have a princess doll? She’s so pretty.”

Sookie was brought back to reality at Jessica’s voice, seeming to just realize that she wasn’t there alone. “Of course you can, sweetie. I just need one more minute and then we can go, okay?”

Jessica nodded and headed back over to the toys.

Bill was stunned. “Is that your daughter? How is that even possible? We only broke up four years ago.”

She let out a sigh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but she’s my boyfriend’s daughter. I consider her to be my own, and some day she will be officially.”

“Wow, I suppose a lot has changed for you. It’s good to see you happy; you deserve it after what I put you through. I can’t apologize for that enough.”

“Don’t, Bill, we’ve said all we need to about what happened. I’m just trying to do my best to move on, you should do the same.” Sookie went back to get Jessica, taking the girl’s hand and leading her to the front of the store, not giving Bill Compton another glance. It was time to close that chapter of her life for good.

* * * * *

Eric still wasn’t home yet and Sookie was enjoying some quiet time with Jessica, reading a book to her while she got ready for bed.

“Are you going to marry my daddy?”

That question completely took her by surprise. “I don’t know, maybe one day. It probably won’t be for a long time, though.”

Jessica gave that some thought. “If you get married, can I call you Mommy?”

Sookie tried not to tear up, but it was a losing battle. “That would mean very much to me, but you can call me whatever you want.”

She snuggled under the covers, starting to feel her eyes get heavy. “Do I have to wait till you’re married? I want you to be my mommy now.”

Sookie didn’t know what to say when Jessica dozed off, wondering if she could have meant that. “It would be a blessing to be your mother,” she whispered, kissing the girl’s forehead tenderly. Sookie turned around, only to see Eric standing in the doorway with an awestruck expression on his face. She had no idea he was even home. Before she could say anything, Eric pulled her out of the room and planted a passionate kiss on her lips, nearly taking her breath away.

He touched his forehead to hers. “I don’t want it to be for a long time, Sookie.”

She didn’t know what he meant, until he pulled out a gorgeous diamond ring. Sookie gasped when he got down on one knee, keeping both of her hands firmly in his.

“Sookie Stackhouse, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”