Aspen jumps to her feet. “Sleepover!” she yells, holding her tiny hands over her head. She immediately goes in search of pillows, bringing every single one she can find to the living room.
My hand rubs over my chest because my son is including me. I’ll admit I’ve been worried he wouldn’t like seeing me with anyone other than Rachel.
“It’s not time for bed right now, you little stinker,” Jackson says, scooping her up in his arms. “We need to go finish feeding the animals their breakfast.”
Aspen holds her hand out to Jenny. “Come on, Nana.”
Jenny stands, looking down at her apron. “I guess I’m still dressed for chores.” She chuckles sadly, but then her face lights up. “Oh, I forgot. I brought you something.” She reaches into her apron pocket and pulls out a little crocheted doll.
“My baby!” Aspen squeals, taking it from her and squeezing it to death.
“Okay, okay, let’s get the critters fed,” Jackson says, ushering them both out. He looks at me over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
I’m thinking the same thing.
A baby doll is an odd thing to carry around in your pocket when you’re out doing morning chores.
Unless … she knew something was coming.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Dirk
When Jesse’s text comes through, I know exactly where to find my wife.
Dan or I will just have to dispose of Benji later tonight, under the cover of darkness. I drop him off at home and then head over to the warehouse. It’s eerily quiet … the calm before the storm.
I take the steps two at a time and then pause outside of our old room. The door is open just a crack, so I push it with my finger, finding Jesse sitting on the end of the bed.
I want to beat her ass, but that’s not what she needs right now.
She doesn’t even look at me as I head into the bathroom. When I come back out, I kneel in front of her and carefully begin removing the paint on her face. “I never thought I’d see Sugar again,” I say, teasing her lightly. I hope this hasn’t triggered her in some way. “What did she do this time?”
Her eyes snap to mine. “She set it on fire.”
“She set what on fire?” I ask calmly.
“Jenny’s house.”
I take a deep breath. This shouldn’t surprise me, but it does. Jenny’s place was cool as fuck. Why would she do such a thing? This isn’t like her. My wife isn’t cruel.
“Raffe needs her here.”
And there’s my answer.
I continue to wash her face, noticing the picture on the bedside table. It’s the picture of my sister with Raffe and Jackson. Everything is slowly starting to make sense.
“When I went after Benjamin, I found him …” her voice cracks, and she looks away. “He was with a girl. She was young.” She starts to laugh and cry at the same time. “She was a runaway. I, um, I gave her a lot of money and a ride to the bus station. She was desperate to go home.”
“Hey, you know I don’t care about money.” I sit on the bed and pull her into my arms. “You were there for a reason.”
“Did Dan make it hurt?”
“He did.”
“Good.”
My wife is tired. She’s looked evil in the face one too many times. She needs a rest, and by god she’s going to get it.
