Page 94 of Risky Move

With one eye on Jenna, he scanned the deck, trying to picture Daniel by the pool.Where did he fall off the side? Cassie told the paramedic he went in headfirst. So lucky she got to him just after he tumbled into the water.

He took a deep breath before returning to Jenna. “Good job with the blocks, Jenna!” She held out her hand, clutching a block. “Do you want me to put this on top?”

Jenna responded with happy-sounding babble. Tom carefully placed the block on her stack, then watched as Jenna laughed and pushed the tower over.

“You trickster!” Tom picked her up and held her over his head. “Did your brother teach you that?” He settled her in the highchair and placed a handful of Cheerios on the tray. He opened her dinner plate, set it on the tray, and then filled her sippy cup with milk.

Jenna spied the cup and reached for it. “Thirsty, sweet Jenna?” Tom thought of the times he’d joined Cassie in the kitchen to help feed the twins. The Cassie he knew would never knowingly leave the pool door open. She always triple-checked that the lock had engaged. Nothing distracted her when she cared for the twins. Something didn’t add up, and Tom determined to discover the truth.

51

Feeling a buzz from two glasses of wine, Cassie excused herself and returned to Lauren’s office.Time to organize some of my belongings.She dumped the contents of one bag on the bed, then groaned at the disorganized mess.I can’t do this now. Don’t even know where I put my phone. At least I won’t worry about dodging Mom’s call…calls? Wonder if Tom’s tried to call or text? But why should he? He may feel the same as Andrew. Last thing I want is to cause a rift within his family.

She collected her toiletries and carried them into the adjoining bath. Then she folded and stacked the clothing on the bed. She exchanged her clothes for an oversized shirt…Dave’s? Tom’s? She couldn’t remember.

She quickly completed her evening routine, then flopped on the bed, too tired to pull back the covers. She hugged a pillow to her chest. She said a prayer for Daniel, Jenna, Caryn, Andrew, and Tom, then closed her eyes, hoping she’d wake up in the morning and find that the horrible day was just a nightmare.

* * *

When Tom couldn’t reach Cassie after getting Jenna ready for bed, he assumed she’d turned her phone off or had forgotten to charge it. He called Lauren reasonably confident he’d find Cassie with her.

“Tom, hi. How’s Daniel?” Lauren greeted.

“Just spoke with Andrew. His doctor wants Daniel to stay in the hospital twenty-four to forty-eight hours in case of residual problems. I think that’s unlikely. The little guy’s exhausted, not agitated at all.”

“Thank God…How’s Jenna holding up confined to one room?”

“I brought her home with me. Don’t know what Andrew was thinking. She was irritated, cranky, and hungry.” He stepped out on the front porch to enjoy the fresh evening air. “Just like any toddler.”

“I’m glad you have her. Caryn and Andrew do not need to handle a rambunctious, unhappy child right now.”

Tom chuckled. “True. Jenna collapsed right after dinner. Fell asleep as I was changing her clothes.” He paused for a moment. “I’m assuming Cassie’s with you? I haven’t been able to reach her.”

“She’s here. As for her phone, I doubt she knows where it is. I saw her toss it into a bag with some clothes, but even though she started unpacking, she also collapsed—she’s sleeping curled up on a bed full of clothes.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Devastated.” He heard the emotion behind the word.

“You were with her when Andrew picked up Jenna?”

“Yes. Not pleasant for either,” Lauren said. “Cassie didn’t make excuses, but Andrew didn’t want to hear her explanation; she apologized and accepted full responsibility.”

“Did he ask…tell her to leave?”

“Not in so many words, but the implication was clear. Cassie wanted all of her belongings out before they came home—nothing to remind them of her.”

Tom paused with a sigh. “After all these months, Cassie’s a huge part of our family. Jenna and Daniel will look for her, Caryn understands it was an accident, and she’s thankful Cassie saved Danny’s life. Andrew may take some time, but I think eventually he’ll accept that accidents happen. It doesn’t matter who’s at fault. Daniel’s safety and health—that’s what counts.”

“Cassie didn’t leave the twins…” Lauren began at the same moment as Tom heard Jenna’s cries of distress over the monitor.

“Let me get Jenna settled down. I’ll call you back when I can.”

“No problem, Tom. If you need any back-up, call me.”

“Thanks, Lauren. I think I’m good for the night.” Tom paused a moment. “Please tell Cassie not to blame herself—she saved Danny’s life. She needs to remember that instead of dwelling on the accident.”

* * *

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