Page 38 of Joker's Ghost
She leans away from me. “You sure you’re all right?”
“Just thinking how lucky I am. How lucky we both are after all the shit we came through. We’ve got two kids who love us and another one on the way.” I smooth my palm over her belly, and the baby shifts. “Looks like someone’s anxious to get out.”
She covers my hand with hers. “But not yet. I’ve got exactly seven and a half weeks left. The doctor said since it’s my third delivery, I might go sooner, but the closer to my delivery date, the better.”
Back when she was a teen, Daisy had another child who tragically died as a result of the father’s neglect. The scar and trauma lived deep within her, which only heightened my guilt when she was abducted during Deana’s pregnancy. Thankfully, Deana was born safely, but Daisy suffered with severe anxiety and depression for months afterward. Which made me promise to make this pregnancy and birth stress-free and as easy as possible.
“Everything’s going to be perfect this time, I swear.” Saying the words soothes me. Like making an oath and chasing away any bad karma.
“I know what you’re thinking, and I appreciate your concern, but like you told me the last time, we can’t worry about what hasn’t happened, and we can’t foresee the future.”
How do I tell her I’m convinced I did see the future last night or some kind of warning? And now I have to act on it without scaring her.
DAISY
“I know he’s worried, and I know he’s got my best interest in mind, but he’s driving me fucking crazy.” I tap my pen on my desk while keeping an eye on Joker in the garage. The last thing I need is him coming into the office hearing me bitching him out to Sheena.
“Especially after what happened when you were pregnant with Deana,” Sheena adds. “I think what you need is a shopping day.”
“Yeah, that would sound great if I thought anything would fit me. I swear I’m even bigger than I was with Deana.”
“And you lost all the baby weight in a month and were back to your usual bangin’ figure.”
“Oh, you must really need a day out.” I laugh around my words. “Because the way I remember it, I slaved doing Pilates every day and cutting out anything with taste.”
“Maybe, but you still got your figure back. And, yes, I am desperate for a shopping day because Cobra is driving me crazy. I’m only two months pregnant, and he’s acting like I’m an invalid. He’s even talking about me quitting the Bellagio because I’m on my feet too long.”
Sheena deals blackjack for the Bellagio. A job she loves, and with her outgoing personality and good looks, a job that supremely fits her.
“Must be some kind of epidemic. Joker suggested I stay home from the garage today.”
“Hmmm, I’m not surprised.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Cobra said Joker was really freaked out last night. Talking about slipping into another timeline from the ‘30s or some shit.”
Interesting. So if he let Cobra in on that, he must really be worried.
“Did he say anything else?” I ask.
“Cobra blamed it on the bump on his head and falling down a flight of concrete stairs.”
“Weird.”
“What?”
“He kind of alluded to the time travel thing with me too. Joker’s as cagey as a cat, so him losing his balance for no reason doesn’t make sense unless . . .”
“Accidents do happen.”
“He also said he heard a loud humming or high-pitched buzzing right before he fell.”
“Oh my God!” Sheena shouts. “Just likeOutlanderwhen they pass through the stones.”
Sheena and I both binged-watchedOutlanderand loved it. Of course, staring at Sam Heughan wasn’t bad either, but Sheena’s words leave me feeling unsettled. Joker’s explanation of what happened before he fell did mirror the experiences of the characters inOutlander.
“Yes, exceptOutlanderis make-believe, and Joker really did fall.”
