Upper Hand (Cedar Tree Book 5) by Freya Barker Read Free Book Online Page A

now—hell, I’d welcome back that kind of control. I have none now. Nothing but the love in my heart to do what he needs me to do so he can ‘sort things out.’ Oh dammit. How is that going to work with Clint? I throw him a furtive glance to gage his mood. Not much better than it had been, but I can’t really blame the man. How the hell am I going to solve this?
    “Quit staring at me, woman, and drive. We’ll figure it out.”
    Despite his surly mood, I reach over and grab one of his hands resting on his knees and give it a squeeze. Feels good having someone solid to worry with. He squeezes back before putting my hand on the wheel.
    “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel. Reckon I’ve spent plenty of time in the hospital already, not looking for another go,” he grumbles, but I can here a hint of a smile in his words.
    “Whatever,” is my intelligent comeback.
    -

    -
    C hrist, she’s gonna get us killed .
    I’ve never been a good passenger, not since I got my driver’s license at sixteen. It’s been on my lips to tell her to let me drive, but in all honesty, I trust myself even less right now—and that is saying something considering the hair-raising ride she takes me on.
    When we pull up to Beth’s place, a strange pickup truck is in the driveway. A man is sitting on the porch steps with a car seat beside him and a toddler in his arms wrapped in a blanket. Never having met Beth’s son, I assume this is him. Beth parks, flings open the car door, and gets out, going straight for the little guy. Sweet isn’t usually a word I’d associate with Beth, but seeing her with her grandson in her arms, snuggling him with a big smile on her face, it’s oddly the only word that comes to mind. Her son, however, is not looking too happy and seems agitated, glancing over to where I’m sitting in the car. When I see him gesturing aggressively toward his mom, I decide it’s time for introductions. Not wanting to end up on my face in the driveway, I manage to get myself and my walker out of the car and make my way over to where their voices are starting to carry.
    “What the fuck, Ma? You’re shacking up now? What are you getting out of this? You know he’s just using you, haven’t you learned anything?”
    “Dylan! You’re waking the neighborhood, would you simmer down?” Beth tries to keep the little boy in her arms calm while facing off with her son.
    “Who is using her?” I turn to Dylan with my eyebrow raised. “From what I can see, you’re the one who calls her at the butt crack of dawn, expecting her to drop everything and come running. And then you have the gall to browbeat her and question her or me about motives?” I’m seething and clenching the handles on the walker tight enough to turn my knuckles white. It’s that or lay that snot nosed, self-righteous punk out on his ass.
    “Clint...” Beth puts a moderating hand on my arm, which only pisses me off more.
    “You know you shouldn’t let anyone talk to you like that. As if no one can see you for more than a means to an end. I don’t care if he’s your son, he has no right to berate you like that. Come on, let’s take that baby home. Little thing’s about to fall asleep on you.” I point out, watching the little boy fighting to keep his eyes open on his grandma’s shoulder.
    “And you,” I turn back to Dylan. “You should grow the hell up. Sounds like you’ve had a rough night, and I get that you’re overwhelmed, but you have no fucking right to take it out on the woman who is saving your ass. And from what I can tell, it isn’t the first time either. Am I right?” From the way the kid lowers his eyes and the slump of his shoulders, I can tell he’s run out of steam. That boy’s got troubles and I get a sneaky suspicion it’s more than his wife leaving. Watching him wrap his arms around his mom and son, that suspicion is only fueled when I hear him talking in a low voice.
    “Sorry, Ma. I’m sorry, it’s just all a fucking