Page 61 of Indiscretion

“How old are they?”

“Molly is eight, and Ryder is ten.” She sighed. “They don’t know about her illness, but they definitely know something is wrong. Ryder asked me the other day if he did something to upset his mother.”

My heart sank. “That’s tough. I assume she hasn’t told them to protect them?”

She nodded. “Their father went to work one day and never came home. Car accident. A tractor trailer driver fell asleep at the wheel.”

“Shit.”

“She doesn’t want them to worry that one day she won’t come home.”

I swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

She was quiet for a long moment. “I apologize for being snippy with you this morning.”

“It’s okay.”

She smiled halfheartedly. “It’s not really. Even if I feel like you planted something in my head that had a domino effect, you’re my boss, and I handled it inappropriately.”

“I knew we’d be a good team.” I looked over and winked. “Inappropriateis my middle name.”

She smiled again, but this time it wasn’t as sad. “Thank you for taking me to my sister.”

“Of course. Anytime I can help.” The fucked-up thing was, I meant it. It wasn’t just an empty offer. I wanted to help Naomi. I didn’t care that it meant my work would get evenmorebacked up.

Once we got to New Jersey, her sister’s location was only a few miles away. Naomi looked at her phone and pointed up ahead. “The red awning. I think that’s it. She said it was called Rosa’s.”

I pulled to the curb in front of a small café. Naomi rushed to open the car door. “Thank you for the ride.”

“I’m not leaving you here. I’ll drive you both home.”

“We’ll be okay. She’ll know how to take the subway or the PATH whatever.”

“Your sister just passed out. She shouldn’t be riding the train.” I didn’t give her time to think it over. Instead, I got out and walked around the car. “Come on. I’m bigger than you in case she’s not steady on her feet.”

I would’ve known which woman had passed out even if Naomi hadn’t made a beeline to the lady sitting alone at the front of the restaurant. Her gray color and frail frame screamedsick. I tried not to let the way it made me feel show on my face as I followed Naomi to the table.

Naomi dropped down and squatted in front of her sister. “How are you feeling?”

“Nauseated and lightheaded. I just need to lie down for a while.”

“You don’t look so good, Frannie.”

“I’m fine. The doctor said this could happen. It’s part of the side effects of the treatment.”

“I think you should go to the hospital. You look terrible.”

Frannie started to get up, but fell back into the seat. I rushed to her side and kept the chair from toppling over.

Naomi frowned and looked at me. “This is Dawson. My boss.”

The woman looked up with a weak smile. “The good-looking jerk.”

“That’s me.” I grinned. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Naomi chuckled, but bent and pulled her sister’s arm over her shoulder for support. “You aren’t supposed to repeat the things I tell you, Frannie.”

There was no way in hell this woman could’ve taken the train home. It was an effort just to get her to the car parked right out front. Once we got back through the tunnel and into the City, she fell asleep and snored a bit.

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