Page 73 of Family Jewels

She whipped her head to face me. “Why?”

“Last night James said if we plan to mess with bad guys, we need to learn how to handle ourselves.”

“I can handle myself just fine,” she snapped.

I considered telling her that I wasn’t so confident, but let it go for now. “I’m dropping Muffy off with Maeve at the nursery this morning, so I should probably leave soon.” I hesitated. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She gave me a weak smile. “I just have a lot on my mind—Ronnie, Kate . . . and things.”

I wasn’t sure whatand thingsentailed, but I had my suspicions. She’d made tremendous progress the last month, but Ronnie wasn’t the only thing she’d lost in the last few months. Before they split up, she’d lost her pregnancy . . . and then found out there wasn’t likely to be another one. Ever. It stood to reason she’d have setbacks. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” I asked. “No judgment. Just a sympathetic ear.”

“I know. Thanks.”

I was stewing over Neely Kate on the drive into town when Bruce Wayne called.

“One of my guys is off sick today,” he said when I answered. “How soon do you think you’ll finish the Henderson job and head over to mine?”

“Did you call Jonah?” I asked. “He’s usually got a few men standing by.”

“Jonah said they were all hired to work on some construction site. Any chance you can shuffle things around and help me knock this job out? Then I can come help with yours. It’ll go quicker that way.”

I glanced down at Muffy. “We’ll have time to get to the Hendersons’?”

“I don’t see why not.” He paused. “But if you’d rather stick to the original plan . . .”

“No. Your idea is a good one. I’ll see you in a bit.”

The nursery was quiet when I pulled in. Anna was standing outside, watering the rows of potted plants arranged on the tables. She gave me a warm smile as I carried Muffy inside.

Maeve was dusting off a display shelf and had her back to me, but I heard her say, “You need more sleep. You spend far too much time at the office.”

I sucked in a breath. She was talking to Mason.

“Rose is coming by with Muffy,” Maeve said in a quiet voice.

I knew I should say something, but I couldn’t move. I hadn’t spoken to Mason since he’d moved to Little Rock in February. Maeve never told me anything specific about him, only that he was doing well and keeping busy with his job.

“She’s good. The landscaping business is booming, so it keeps her busy. Just like your job is keeping you occupied. Have you ever wondered why you two are so busy?” She turned slightly, and her eyes filled with worry when she saw me. “I have to go, Mason. I love you.”

She hung up and took several steps toward me.

“Mason . . .” I said. “He’s good?”

“Yeah. He just works too much, even more than before. He’s . . .” Her voice trailed off. “That was the first time I’ve gone into that much detail about you. He asks about you every time we talk, and I always tell him you’re doing well.” She paused. “I hope you don’t think I’m giving him reports.”

I shrugged slightly. “It’s okay. I trust you, Maeve.”

“That means more to me than you know.” She closed the distance between us, placing her hands on my upper arms and searching my face. “I’ve missed you too, you know.”

I’d kept my distance over the past months, mostly because it hurt too much to see her. She was a reminder of what I’d lost. I’d been hurting, but she’d been hurting too.

“Maeve, I’m so sorry. I’ve been so self-centered.”

“You stop that,” she chided.

“No. It’s true. I haven’t given much thought to how you were handling all of this, and I’m truly sorry.”

She studied me for a moment and then smiled. “Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? You and Neely Kate. Are you free?”

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