Page 78 of Rebels and Roses

They probably would. Cooper had said that they were pretty decent people. But how would they feel about Cassie’s and Tom’s baby? Would those arms be as open? And what if there were even more women walking around pregnant?

Either way, Jane wasn’t going to be the one to mention Cassie or anyone else. That was something the family attorney could tell them at a later date. It was a positive move to see the two women not at each other’s throats. Erica looked like she’d been crying, but it might simply have been tears of relief that she wasn’t going to have a long drawn-out court battle.

“I’m just going to drink this one cup,” Erica said, taking a sip and smiling. “Doctor wants me to control my caffeine intake, but damn, I do love a good cup of coffee.”

“I’m not sure I would classify hotel room coffee as good, but it’s decent,” Fiona replied. “It could be worse, I guess.”

“It’s fine,” Erica replied with a smile, drinking deeply from her cup. “I really needed this more than I realized. So, Jane, what did you want to talk about?”

Well, shit. Erica had put her on the spot. The women were at peace, and she wasn’t going to throw a grenade in the middle of all this familial togetherness.

Think, think, think.

“I just wanted to reach out and see if you needed any medical recommendations while you were here. Doctors and such. I wasn’t sure how long you would be in town, but it occurred to me that you might need medical care until you could get back home.”

That sounded plausible. Pretty much. It was the best she could think up in a short space of time so it would have to be good enough.

“That’s so sweet,” Erica exclaimed. “Everyone in this town is just so nice. You must love living here.”

“I do,” Jane replied. “It is a wonderful town.”

“I’m more of a big city person,” Fiona said. “I love a city that’s twenty-four-seven. And speaking of that, I don’t think the sheriff works those kinds of hours. Why don’t we head to the sheriff’s station and let him know that he can release Tom to Erica? I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”

“I can just text him,” Jane offered, reaching into her handbag.

“I think we have to sign papers or something official,” Fiona said with a shake of her head. “It’s a bunch of legalese to me, but we want to do this by the book. We don’t want any delays in getting the final arrangements set up.”

Erica drained her cup, and then stood up, wobbling on her feet slightly.

“Oopsies,” she giggled. “I think I stood up too fast. I got dizzy for a moment. Let me get my shoes, and we can go. Jane,do you want to go with us? We can get some food afterward at Tate’s. My treat. I’m just so happy that we’ve been able to work everything out, and now my baby is going to have his daddy’s family, too. As much as I hurt that Tom is gone, I’m grateful that we’ll still have a part of him.”

“I feel that way, too,” Fiona said. “Tom’s baby is going to be such a blessing to all of us. I want to say that I’m sorry again for how I acted. I was just shocked and all.”

“I can understand that. So, what do you say, Jane? Will you go with us? I’d like you to. You’ve been so kind to me since I arrived in Winslow Heights.”

Jane didn’t think she’d been all that nice or anything. She hadn’t been mean, of course, but she hadn’t necessarily gone out of her way either. She’d talked to Erica, and tried to get to know her, comforting her when they’d found Tom dead. It didn’t feel like going above and beyond. It was more like being a human being.

“You don’t need to invite me,” Jane replied. “I probably need to head back anyway.”

“You’ll just end up at Tate’s with Cooper,” Erica pressed. “Just go with us. It will be fun.”

Fiona hadn’t piped up with any words of encouragement for Jane to go with them. It was still awkward being in the same room with Cooper’s ex-wife, especially knowing that the woman had made a few passes at him.

Did Fiona really want Cooper back, or was she simply trying to get him in bed so that she could say that she did? While the woman looked at Cooper with an admiring gaze, there was no emotion in her eyes other than desire. No love. No tenderness.

“I don’t want to intrude?—”

“You’re not intruding,” Erica replied, coming back into the sitting area with her shoes on. “Now that this is settled, I thinkI might be able to eat. I haven’t had much appetite since…you know.”

Erica had that hopeful look on her face that made Jane feel like a jerk if she kept trying to bow out. That meant that she was going to sit at a table with Fiona and pretend that she didn’t want the woman on the next plane, bus, or train out of town. Perhaps once she was gone, things could go back to what passed as normal in this town.

“I guess I could eat.”

“Let’s go then,” Fiona said brightly, holding up her car keys. “The sooner we talk to the sheriff and sign the papers, the sooner we can get Erica something to eat. We can’t let the baby starve.”

Arguing was futile. Dutifully, Jane followed the two women down the elevator and out of the hotel where Fiona’s rental car was parked close to the front door.

“I can meet you there,” Jane said. “I have Cooper’s car.”

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