Page 86 of Trouble Comes in Threes

“But you’ll probably see her at Mikey’s soccer game,” I said, then glanced over her head at Joe. “He has a game at one.”

Joe looked devastated. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.”

Two homicides within forty-eight hours meant that for the safety of the county, the job obviously had to come first for him today, but after our fight, the whole Lady thing, and now my vision and dreams, I wanted to be selfish and tell him I needed him. But I wouldn’t because he could help me best by catching the murderers, and I wasn’t about to make him feel even guiltier than he already did.

“Joe,” I said, placing my hand on his arm. “Mikey will understand.”

He turned to me. “But will you?”

“Of course. You’re protecting us too. How could I be upset?”

Ashley walked out the front door, shooting a wary glance at Joe. She walked over to me and sat on my free side, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Why’s everyone outside? It’s cold.”

“Liam woke up early, so I brought him outside to see the birds and bunnies. What are you doing up so early?”

“I heard you and Uncle Joe talking.” She gave Joe another look that he didn’t notice as she tightened her arms around me.

She was here to protect me. It made me love her even more than I already did, which I hadn’t thought possible, but it also made me sad.

I squeezed her back. “I was thinking about making waffles or French toast for breakfast. Any votes?”

“Waffles,” Hope said.

“Waffs,” Liam repeated.

“Liam always says what Hope or Mikey says,” Ashley groused.

“You want French toast?” I asked, looking down at her.

She shrugged, not meeting my gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Joe, your vote can make this a tie,” I said.

He made a face. “I’m not sure I’ll be here for breakfast. I have to head into the station for an eight o’clock meeting.”

“Oh,” I said, trying not to let my disappointment bleed through.

“But before I go, Rose, you and I need to finish our discussion,” he said pointedly.

Ashley’s arms tightened around me.

“It’s okay, Ash,” I said as I kissed the top of her head. “Why don’t we go inside, and you and the littles can watch TV.”

She glanced over at Joe and reluctantly said, “Okay.”

We all headed inside, and I gave Ashley the remote to pick something on TV. Joe trailed me into the kitchen.

“What’s up with Ashley? You think she’s still spooked by your nightmare?”

“That, and she’s upset that she heard you shouting in the kitchen last night.”

He ran a hand over his head. “Shit.”

“Exactly.”

“She thinks I would hurt you?” he asked in disbelief.

“I’m sure she knows you would never do that, but who knows what kinds of fights she heard between Violet and Mike before they split up—twice. I’ve assured her that married people argue sometimes, but maybe you should do some damage control before you go.”

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