Page 41 of Almost Dead (The Cahills 2)

“Actually, it is.” He looked up at her, his expression serious. “I didn’t think you’d want to face my family alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“They want to stop by and offer their support. All of them. Dad, J.J., and Jannelle.”

“You’re kidding!” She couldn’t imagine facing any members of the Five Jays, as they referred to themselves, based on their same first initials. “No way. I don’t want any company.”

“I told them that, but you know how Dad is when he gets an idea in his head.”

“Then stand up to him, Jack. Man up! I do not want to deal with any member of your family, much less all of…oh damn!” She saw headlights flash against the living room window. “Too late,” she said as a snake hissed from Beej’s favorite toy. She shot her husband a look that said it all, the this-is-your-mistake-so-now-fix-it glare, as she carried Coco into the dining area and placed her into her kennel. “This won’t be for long,” she promised the dog, mentally crossing her fingers.

Holding B.J., Jack opened the door before his father could hit the doorbell. As Jack had said, both Jannelle, looking pissed off, and J.J.—Jon Junior, his I’m-cool-to-be-here expression neatly in place—were with Jonathan. They were all good looking, some Scandinavian ancestor having handed out tall bodies, blond hair, high cheekbones, and varying shades of blue eyes.

“Oh, honey,” Jack’s father greeted Cissy, arms outstretched. He crushed her to him.

“I’m okay,” Cissy said, barely able to breathe.

Jonathan’s face was remarkably unlined for someone near sixty, and he still had lots of hair, an ash blond color just beginning to gray. He was fit, tanned, and could pass for fifteen years younger than he was, which of course he loved. Cissy guessed that only the ages of his children prevented him from stretching the truth about the years.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said, releasing her, his eyebrows pulled together, sadness evident in those Nordic eyes.

“It’s a bummer,” J.J. said.

Jannelle rolled her eyes at her brother’s phraseology. “Dad thought we should come by and, you know, offer support, bond as a family, all that…sensitive bullshit.” She plopped into a side chair and crossed her long legs.

“Don’t go there,” Jack warned.

“Jannie, come on.” Their father was obviously irritated. To Cissy, he said, “What Jannelle said is essentially right, without the editorial comments. I know this is tough…so here we are.”

“One big happy family,” Jannelle chimed in. “Hey, when is that divorce final?”

“Enough!” The lines around Jonathan’s mouth showed white in irritation.

“I knew this was a mistake,” J.J. muttered, shoving a hand through hair that was long enough to curl over the collar of his leather jacket. He always dressed in what Cissy thought of as casual cool—trendy, but never too upscale. She really didn’t know him, didn’t much want to; another Holt male to avoid. Then she caught a glimpse of Jannelle rolling her eyes again. So, okay, she needed to avoid all Holts, regardless of gender.

“There’s Grandpa’s boy!” Jonathan motioned for Jack to step a little closer so he could get closer to his grandson. “How’re you, Bryan Jack?” he asked, but when he attempted to pry Beej from Jack’s arms, their son, independent kid that he was, said loud and clear, “No, Poppa!”

“Ugh,” Jannelle muttered under her breath.

J.J., looking uncomfortable, sat on the ottoman and stared at the nonexistent fire.

Yeah, this was a great idea, Cissy thought wearily. But she was stuck with it. “So, does anyone want anything? Coffee? A beer?” She glanced at Jack for help.

“Actually, we thought we’d take you out to dinner. Something simple. How about a place that deals with kids?”

“Are you talking McDonald’s?” Jannelle asked, horrified. “Really, Dad, I’ll pass.” She looked pointedly at the watch glittering around her wrist.

Though she wanted to tell them all to just get out and leave her alone, Cissy bit back the urge, saying instead, “You know, that’s really nice, but I thought Beej and I, we’d just kind of camp out here tonight.” She forced a smile at Jonathan, who had been so instrumental in her hooking up with Jack in the first place. “Thanks.?

??

“Good enough for me.” Jannelle shot to her feet.

“Me too.” J.J. wasn’t one for gooey family togetherness.

The older man was disappointed. “Come on now, we’re all here anyway.”

“It’s okay, Dad.” Jack walked to the window. “Jannelle, that’s your Mercedes. So, you drove?”

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