Part 6 (1/2)
Suddenly Daniel saw blue eyes and red hair.
”Daniel?”
”What?”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. ”You seem a bit out of it today.”
Daniel ran both hands through his hair. ”I'm quitting the force.”
”What!”
”I'm tired, Ethan. Tired of crime. Tired of the bad guys always getting the best of us. I lock a b.a.s.t.a.r.d up for selling drugs to kids and he's back on the street within a week doing the same thing. The revolving door never stops and I've had it.”
”I hate to hear that. You're one of the best cops I've ever worked with.”
”Your sister-in-law has a different opinion.” He shouldn't have said that, but it seemed to slip out. Stop thinking about her.
”Sarah?”
”I guess it all comes back to Rudy Boyd and all the lives he's destroyed.”
”But you got him, Daniel. He's on death row waiting for an execution date.”
”That won't change things for Sarah or Greg.”
”You can't blame yourself.”
”I do, though. I should have been aware of what Greg was doing.”
”You trusted him-like I've trusted men under me. Greg broke that trust, not you.”
”Yes, but that doesn't help me to sleep better at night.”
”Daniel...”
”Daddy, Daddy.” Ja.s.sy crawled into Ethan's lap. ”Did you watch me, Daddy?”
”I'm always watching you.” He wrapped his arms around her. ”Do you remember Daniel?”
Ja.s.sy nodded and said, ”Hi.”
”You have the most beautiful blue eyes,” Daniel said, mesmerized by their brightness.
”I got my mommy's eyes,” she told him.
”Sarah has them, too.” He didn't even realize he'd spoken the words out loud until he saw Ethan's face.
”Mommy and Sari are just alike, but Daddy and me can tell them apart. We know Mommy, don't we, Daddy?”
”You bet we know Mommy.”
Daniel stood. ”I'd better go.”
”Why don't you come back to the house with us? Serena would love to see you.”
Daniel shook his head. ”Thanks, but I've been working on a case and I have some loose ends to tie up. After I see the lieutenant on Monday, I'm flying to France to see my parents.”
”Sarah will be there,” Ethan added with a sheepish grin as if he knew exactly what was on Daniel's mind-a woman he couldn't get out of his head.
”Ah, Ethan, I think you're reading me like a book.”
”I recognize the signs.” Ethan got to his feet with Ja.s.sy in his arms. ”Take some time. Don't give up a career you love out of guilt, and stop blaming yourself for things you have no control over. Most important, talk to Sarah.”
Daniel didn't tell Ethan he already had. He didn't want his friend caught in the middle. He'd deal with the situation in his own way.
”I'll think about it,” he said, reaching over to kiss Ja.s.sy's cheek. ”Kiss your mom for me.”
”No.” Ja.s.sy frowned. ”You can't kiss my mommy. Only Daddy kisses Mommy.”
”Jasmine Marie,” Ethan scolded gently. ”That's not nice.”
”I'm sorry.” Ja.s.sy hung her head.
Daniel touched her soft cheek. ”It's okay and I promise to never kiss your mommy.”
”Okay.” Ja.s.sy glanced up at him, her eyes bright again. ”I kiss Sari for you. Sari needs lots of kisses.”
Daniel's stomach tightened at the innocent words, but he felt the simple truth in them, too. How nice it would be to kiss Sarah Welch. He shook Ethan's hand and strolled away, a slight curve to his mouth.
Only in my dreams, Ja.s.sy. Only in my dreams.
CHAPTER FIVE.
SARAH HAD A GREAT TIME. She relaxed and enjoyed her afternoon with her twin. They talked, shopped, laughed and made fun of each other with sisterly love. In the mall, they ordered a decadent chocolate-fudge sundae then spent two hours in a beauty salon getting a pedicure and a manicure. Sarah also had her long hair cut into a casual style that hung around her shoulders.
They ignored the many stares and glances they received, but they were secretly amused. Two identical redheads were an eye-catcher.
Since she was on call, she had to take a couple of phone calls, but other than that they had the afternoon to themselves. Later, she went by the hospital to check on Brooke. Her family was there, so Sarah knew she was okay.
They picked up food to cook on the grill for dinner and Ethan played chef, then Ja.s.sy put on a show with her jumping and flipping. Sarah and Serena talked until after midnight and Sarah felt herself opening up, confiding and exposing the destructive emotions inside her. All this time and she'd thought she was fine. It took Daniel's words and Brooke's question to make her realize she was far from a full recovery.
She'd made a start with her sister's help and she intended to go forward now. Sarah felt as if she'd been living in a darkened room and someone had suddenly opened a door, letting in the fresh air and suns.h.i.+ne. She could feel its warmth slowly seeping into the coldest part of her. The feeling was liberating. She realized it was only a small step and she had a long way to go, but she was ready to face life again with Serena and her family behind her.
All too soon, they were saying goodbye and Sarah experienced a moment of sadness for all the years she and Serena had missed. But they had each other now and that's what counted.
She held Ja.s.sy close, not wanting to let her go.