Page 5 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
“For leaving you to deal with all her troubles all these years. For selfishly staying away for as long as I did. God, I didn’t even do a good job at making regular phone calls. I dumped all that responsibility on you and that wasn’t fair.”
“She’s my mom too.”
“I know, but that doesn’t make it right. I wouldn’t blame you if you resented me for abandoning you guys. I’m a horrible daughter and a rotten sister.”
He chuckled. “Dramatic much? You’re not a horrible daughter and sister, Lissy.”
“Yes, I am. I should have done more to help, but now that I’m back, I promise to make it up to you.”
“Helping others is kind of my thing. Did you forget that I’m a cop?”
“But—”
“Hey,” he interrupted, shifting Ben and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You don’t need to feel guilty. Okay? I didn’t mind.”
I sighed. “Okay.” The guilt was still there but I wouldn’t win an argument. I’d just show him I was dedicated to helping out.
“Though, if you’re hell-bent on balancing the scales, you can start taking over my assignments on Georgia’s chore wheel.”
I elbowed his side. “Jess, I’m being serious.”
“So am I. I fucking hate Toilet Tuesday.”
“You’re making this apology too easy.” Making amends was supposed to be hard.
“There’s no apology to make, Lissy. Just glad you’re home.” He squeezed my shoulder again and then tugged on my hair, something he had done all throughout my childhood.
In return, I poked a knuckle into his ribs. He jerked and scooted away. “Does Gigi know how incredibly ticklish you are?” I asked. “Maybe I should let her know, just in case. Let’s see, if I recall, you never liked it when I pinched the back of your neck.”
At my threat, his eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m immune to that glare, Sheriff Cleary. You might be able to intimidate everyone else in this county, but not me. Put the scowl away.”
“Might have to take back my earlier statement. I’m not so sure I like having you back,” he joked. “Especially if you’re going to team up against me with Georgia. Got enough trouble keeping up with her and Maisy. You’d think I wouldn’t be surprised by now, but fuck, some of the shit they come up with . . .” he trailed off, shaking his head.
At the mention of Maisy, my smile fell. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Maisy. I didn’t know her well enough to judge. She had been quite a bit younger than me in school, and from everything that Jess and Gigi had told me, she seemed nice.
My frown stemmed from jealousy.
She made Silas smile and laugh. I made him curse and slam doors.
“What? What’s that look about?” Jess asked.
“Oh, uh, just a mild headache. I’ll be fine.” I assumed my happy face.
He frowned, well aware that I had just lied, but dropped his interrogation when a harried father chasing Captain America and Thor came running between us.
“Look how cute they are,” Mom said, stepping to my side. Her eyes were bright and shining as she watched her grandchildren.
I looped my arm through hers. “They sure are. How are you doing, Mom?”
My mother had always been a small woman but now she felt frail and much too thin. I was going to make it a point to prepare her meals four or five times a week. Between my efforts and Gigi’s frequent dinner invites, maybe she wouldn’t need to cook for herself anymore.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said. “It’s been a long time.” Her voice was never loud, and long ago, I’d trained my ears to block out all other sound so I could hear her whisper.
I nodded. “Too long.”
“Oh, look! Jack and Annie!”
