Page 93 of Almost Dead (The Cahills 2)

Today is the beginning of the end.

Chapter 17

“You sure you don’t want to come with me?” Cissy asked, as she grabbed her keys and purse from the kitchen counter. She was so glad Jack had moved back in. So glad to feel safe and protected. So glad she’d managed to let go of most of her anger and insecurities, because she needed him now. Really needed him.

And she hated the thou

ght of spending two or three hours alone with the lawyers for her grandmother’s estate, absorbing legalese and responsibilities. She’d avoided this meeting as long as possible, but there was no more putting it off. She’d twisted her hair into a sophisticated bun, donned her best pair of slacks and a decent sweater, and was ready to go.

But it would be nice if Jack would come with her.

Jack, however, was standing near the French doors, a shoulder propped against the wall, drinking from a beer.

“Talk to your lawyers? The same guys who wanted to stick it to me in the divorce?” Jack shook his head and scooped up Beej, who was nearly wiped out as he careened around a corner while chasing Coco. “Whoa, buddy.”

“Doggie!” Beej cried, pointing at the little dog, who at the moment was hiding under the table, her back toward the wall. Beej squirmed to get down and give chase again.

“I’m the babysitter, remember? By the way, you look great.”

Cissy felt her cheeks warm. God, she was pathetic, responding to Jack’s compliments like a blushing schoolgirl.

“Down, Dad-dee! I want down!” Beej, thwarted, was getting mad.

“In a minute,” Jack said, holding fast to the little dynamo.

“We could take Beej with us.”

“Oh, he’d be a blast in the lawyers’ office. Let’s take his sippy cup and binky and have him sit on our laps for an hour or two. Maybe we could bring Coco.”

“Point taken.”

Jack smiled into Cissy’s eyes. “Actually, maybe that’s not such a bad idea. Those tight asses down at the law firm need a little shaking up.”

“Thanks, but you’re right. I’ll take a pass.”

“Down, Dad-dee!” Beej slapped his fist against Jack’s shoulder in frustration.

“Hey, no hitting.” Jack was suddenly serious as a heart attack.

Beej, surprised by his favorite person on earth’s sharp tone, buried his face in his father’s shoulder in embarrassment and mumbled a soft but defiant, “No, Dad-dee.”

“Careful, Beej,” Cissy warned. “Dad-dee is pretty tough.”

Beej turned his face her way and scowled. It was so comical, Cissy nearly laughed. “’Bye, sweetie,” she said, kissing him on his head, but Beej turned away.

“No kisses!”

“I’m going to kiss you too,” Jack threatened.

“Nooooooo!”

Cissy did laugh then, and Jack succeeded in giving B.J. a loud kiss to the top of his head, which Beej quickly swiped off. Jack and Cissy shared a moment of amusement. Their relationship had improved over the past few days, their life taking on a new togetherness since that final showdown over Larissa. Cissy believed him. She trusted him. She was glad he was home. And now they were moving forward one day at a time.

Unfortunately, while their relationship continued to improve, the circumstances surrounding the deaths in her family kept them under a shadow of suspicion and fear—and the watchful eye of the police. Cherise’s murder had been another shock, and Cissy also hadn’t gotten over seeing her mother in the doorway of Gran’s house. It was just one unpleasant surprise after another, but she was determined not to shut down and cower in her house. She had a life to live, and Jack was with her now. And with the police providing protection, and the ever-alert Coco on the premises, Cissy felt secure enough to strive for some kind of normalcy. Jack had ordered a new security system, and it was scheduled to be installed by the following week.

Nonetheless, she was wary and a bit nervous. Her request for Jack to join her today hadn’t been idle.

But she couldn’t—wouldn’t—let him see that she felt any fear. They were tiptoeing their way back to each other, and she couldn’t appear too needy, too eager. Their relationship had to be equal and solid for them to ever reach that same level of trust and commitment.

---