Part 8 (2/2)
She really did have to go. What she would give for an enormous gla.s.s of wine right now. Since wine was off limits maybe chocolate would do the trick. Mostly she just needed to get out of these clothes and to relax.
”Take care, Jess!” Louis called after her.
She managed a smile and a wave as she settled into the pa.s.senger seat of her new detective's luxury automobile. Hayes closed the door and rounded the hood.
Eyes closed, Jess dropped her head against the seat and tried to stop the ridiculous swaying sensation keeping her off balance. She should see a doctor this week. No putting it off. Calling Lily was on that same urgent list. But first she had to talk to Dan. Where did relaxing fit into all that?
Hayes slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. When he'd backed onto the street and headed toward Mountain Brook, she felt her tension receding. Dan was waiting for her.
Whatever else was wrong in the world, she glanced in the side mirror and noted the BPD cruiser on their tail, being in Dan's arms felt right.
”If I'm out of line just say so,” Hayes said, his voice making her flinch after the minutes of silence.
She turned to the driver. Was her new recruit disenchanted with the job already? ”Go on, Lieutenant.”
”I don't know much about your personal life, Chief. But I do know there are some things a person doesn't need to do alone.”
She set aside all the other worries troubling her long enough to mentally review every step she'd taken in Walmart as she'd collected and purchased those tests. ”Do you have a point?”
”I do.” He sent her a look that said he wouldn't be making any apologies for where he was headed. ”You have a serial killer determined to get to you. He has all manner of freaks watching you. Your latest case is a d.a.m.ned creepy double homicide. This is not the time for secrets.”
Well d.a.m.n, she was busted. ”What gave me away?” Evidently, the old I-need-feminine-products bait and switch hadn't worked on the perceptive lieutenant.
His attention remained on the street as the sun slowly lowered, drawing this too long day to a close. There was a lot she didn't know about this cop, but her instincts said he was a good one.
”Women,” he explained, ”whatever their choice in feminine products, most, particularly those over thirty, have a preferred brand.” His lips quirked. ”It was obvious you s.n.a.t.c.hed up the handiest ones. Your cover might have worked otherwise.”
Why hadn't she thought of that?
”I'll remember that, Lieutenant.” Despite a new blast of tension, she almost laughed. So he knew. She was his superior. If she gave him an order, he was supposed to follow it. Hopefully, that formality wouldn't be necessary. ”I a.s.sume this will stay between us for now.”
No one could know. Not yet. Dan had to be first and she had to find the time to tell him.
”I'm not about to make my new boss unhappy the first day on the job. I'm very good at keeping secrets, Chief. You have nothing to worry about there.”
Easy for him to say.
He slowed for the turn onto Dunbrooke Drive. Jess stared at the stately homes they pa.s.sed. If Hayes let this slip to Lori or Harper, both would be upset that she hadn't shared the news. Jess closed her eyes. Her friends couldn't know yet either.
The smoke rising in the backyard signaled that Dan had decided to grill their dinner. He was thrilled to have her staying here with him and it showed. If he had his way she would never return to her little apartment. She would stay right here in his big house in this upscale neighborhood where she felt so out of place.
Reality sank deeper, making it hard to breathe. You are still not one of them, kid. Corlew had warned her that just because she had the right job and wore the right clothes didn't mean a thing. She would never be like Sylvia Baron or Annette Denton, Dan's most recent ex-wife.
”Why don't you leave that bag in the car? I'll take care of it for you.”
Jess turned to the man behind the wheel. There were things she probably should say, but she didn't know this man well enough to explain herself. ”Thank you, Lieutenant.”
She left the Walmart bag in his car, grateful for one less thing to worry about. He carried her clothes.
Dan came around the corner of the house and Jess barely restrained the tears. It took every ounce of strength she possessed not to run into his arms. Weepiness was, apparently, another part of being pregnant.
”It's about time.” He smiled. ”Thought I might have to send out a search party.” He glanced at Hayes. The two exchanged those nods that only the male species understood. Women, being far more evolved, didn't communicate in nods and grunts.
”Lieutenant Hayes moved over to SPU today,” Jess announced. The entire day had pa.s.sed and she and Dan had scarcely had a minute to carry on a real conversation.
”I signed off on the transfer.” Dan reached for the garments the detective carried. ”I see Chief Harris is working you overtime already.”
”Not a problem, sir.” Hayes relinquished the load. ”See you in the morning, ma'am.”
Jess managed a smile. ”Thank you, Lieutenant.”
While Dan and Hayes discussed his new car, Jess went inside. She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went in search of something more comfortable to wear. Sweat pants and a tee and bare feet sounded good about now. She slipped off the Mary Janes and peeled off her dress. It would be nice just to sit and close out the world-at least to the extent possible.
With the sweats and tee on she sighed. ”Way better.”
She brushed her teeth and finger combed her hair. Nothing in her bag of tricks was going to camouflage those racc.o.o.n eyes.
As she padded back to the kitchen the scents of whatever Dan had been grilling had her stomach rumbling. He turned from the fridge, a bag of mixed salad greens in his hand. He smiled and her heart reacted.
”Can I help with anything?” She felt a little guilty that he seemed to be doing all the domestic duties.
”Thanks, but I have it under control.”
She should feel even guiltier that she'd been hoping for that answer, but she didn't. Besides, this was as good a time as any to just spill it. No need to wait until the first course was out of the way. She braced herself, opened her mouth to say the words but he spoke first.
”By the way, my parents are coming for dinner.” He winced. ”I apologize for the short notice, but Mother only called a little while ago. I had to run to Publix for more steaks.”
Jess bit back a groan. ”That's nice.” What a lie. Nice and Katherine never, ever went together.
Dan gifted her with a lopsided grin. ”I can see by your pained expression just how nice it is.”
She should be ashamed. These people were his parents. Daniel senior was terrific. It was the mother who drove Jess crazy. Nonetheless, she couldn't expect Katherine to just stay away forever... no matter how appealing. ”Sorry. I'm just tired. I was hoping to relax and,” she shrugged, ”I don't know, talk about things.”
Telling him the news tonight was out for sure now. They needed time to discuss the subject at length. She had no desire to just blurt the announcement and move on. The absolute last thing she wanted was for Katherine to waltz in here and sense something was wrong. She could not know about the pregnancy-at least not for a few more months.
Oh G.o.d. She was going to have a baby and Katherine was the grandmother.
Dan came around to her side of the island and lifted her off the stool. He settled her on the granite counter, put his arms around her and moved in close. ”I know you're exhausted and I appreciate your patience with my mother. I realize she doesn't make it easy.”
Now there was the understatement of the century.
”It's fine. Really. I'm glad they're coming.” She was going to h.e.l.l for sure.
He kissed her lips. ”Thank you for being a good sport.”
Jess hugged him hard. She blinked back the tears that rose unbidden. How would she ever keep the evil chasing her away from this man and the child she carried?
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