Chesapeake Tide Read Online Free

it. “Dad isn’t going to like this.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll be able to handle him,” her mother said coolly.
    In the end, it was Libby who was left with the responsibility of managing her ex-husband. He showed up at her door the next morning, without the courtesy of a warning phone call, taking up time she couldn’t spare.
    â€œI could dispute this, you know,” he said, flicking a speck of lint from the sleeve of his cashmere sweater.
    Libby folded her arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “You could, but you won’t.”
    â€œYou seem very sure of yourself.”
    Libby ignored his comment and asked the question she’d wanted to ask for some time. “Tell me, Eric, why you’ve suddenly become so interested in your daughter. For the last fourteen years I can count on one hand the times you’ve been home more than two weeks in a row.”
    He didn’t deny it. “I was working. Actors have to go where the work is. Besides, people change, Libby. I’ve never been fond of babies. Now that she’s older, we have more in common.”
    â€œShe’s not supposed to be your friend. She’s your daughter. Whether you have anything in common with her or not is beside the point.”
    Eric sighed. “I didn’t come here to argue with you.” “
    Why did you come?”
    â€œMay I come inside?”
    â€œI’m in the middle of things right now. I’d like to settle this quickly.”
    â€œYou’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
    â€œShould I?”
    â€œI’m sorry it turned out this way, Libby. I really am. But you’re just as much to blame as I am. You could have walked at any time these last seventeen years. Why didn’t you?”
    â€œI could ask you the same question.”
    He shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know. I suppose it was too much effort. It didn’t matter. There wasn’t anyone else I was serious about.”
    â€œIn other words, having a wife and child was a convenient excuse.”
    â€œI suppose so. What do you want me to do? That’s all water under the bridge. I can’t go back and change anything. I’m sorry if I wasted your life.”
    â€œSpeak for yourself,” she shot back. “My life is just beginning.”
    â€œLibby,” he appealed to her. “Chloe doesn’t want to go. I think it’s selfish of you to force her.”
    Libby felt the familiar rage that came and went with her ex-husband’s scattered logic rise up in her chest. She counted to ten and waited until she was in control of herself. “What do you suggest?” she asked calmly.
    â€œYou should think of Chloe and stay here.”
    â€œMy mother had a stroke, Eric. She may not make it. Are you implying that if you were faced with similar circumstances you would ignore your mother’s request?”
    â€œMy mother hasn’t absented herself from my life for the last seventeen years.”
    She hated him. There was no other emotion strong enough to describe her feeling. Relax, Libby, she told herself. If you lose your temper, he wins. She thought a minute. “I have a suggestion.”
    He looked wary. “What is it?”
    â€œI’ll keep Chloe in Marshyhope Creek for two weeks. That should be long enough for her to get to know her grandparents. After that, if I feel the need to stay longer, I’ll send her home. We have joint custody. You can take care of her.”
    â€œFor how long?” He was less than enthusiastic.
    Libby suppressed a chuckle. “I’m thinking of permanently relocating. I’ve never cared for California. Besides, Chloe and I are in a difficult place right now, the usual mother-daughter thing. She needs her father, and since you have so much in common, I’m sure she would love to live with you. You can send her to me for summers and vacations.”
    His