Page 51 of Protect My Heart

“Good and bring that lovely woman you’re living with?”

“I’m not—”

“Don’t deny it. Your brother told me you were working, but I can read between the lines. Bring her along. I’ll see the two of you at five on Sunday.”

Jim gave a sideways glance at CJ then back to his phone. He had more important things to worry about then his impending demise at the hands of his partner. Yup, he had to contend with not only his mother but the whole family meeting Doc.

Fuck. This wouldn’t end well.

Chapter 16

When Jim first mentioned Sunday dinner at his parents, Liz was skeptical. He claimed he didn’t want to leave her alone. With a little prodding, she quickly learned that his mother decreed she attend. Nerves wound around her spine. She didn’t know what to expect from his family. For so many years, she had only known the Whittiers’ formal dinners. Liz stepped into the suburban ranch-style house where Jim’s parents lived, and a happy glow filled her. Warmth and energy flowed freely in this home. She smiled at the thought of Jim and his family sitting around the large oak table every Sunday for dinner.

Tonight, the house swelled with people. Children ran through the living room where Jim, his father, brother in-law, Greg, and nephew Brendan watched the hockey game.

“Here,” Jim’s sister, Renae, handed a toddler to her husband. “I’m taking Liz into the kitchen to do girl stuff. You watch the baby.”

“Girl stuff?” Jim raised a brow. “Is that code for drinking wine and grilling her?”

“Jimmy, you know better than that.” His sister, Michelle, a tall slender woman with gorgeous auburn hair came to stand beside Renae. They pulled Liz up from her spot on the couch next to Jim. “Wine, yes. But the only thing being grilled in the kitchen are the vegetables. Come on, Liz. We have all the dirt on our baby brother.”

Jim stiffened. “I think I’ll come with.”

“Oh no you don’t. This is girl time. You hang out with the men and yell at the TV.” Renae placed a hand on her curvy hip. As they ushered Liz away, she leaned in and whispered. “It’s so fun to watch the panic flash across his face.”

What would she say if his sisters questioned her about their relationship? She didn’t know if the last week constituted a relationship. They had slept together the last few nights. And even though she didn’t want to think about it, she liked Jim, a lot more than she should for only knowing him less than two weeks. Liz tried to tell herself it was the stress and heightened situation, or even just the sex. But while her analytical side of her brain told her those were all factors, the other side, the one that was affected by her heart and body told her it was so much more.

As she entered the kitchen, a mixture of savory aroma had her taste buds dancing with delight. “Mrs. Swenson, it smells delicious.”

“Thank you, dear. Have a seat, and call me Irene.” She set a bowl of chips down in front of Liz.

One butt cheek had barely touched the counter stool when the back door flew open. A short woman with blonde curls carrying a little girl with matching curls walked in. Following her, a tall slender man with a shaved head entered carrying a baby and ushering in a boy who looked to be about five.

“Julie, about time you and Matt showed up.” Michelle said as she scooped the little baby from the man’s arms and cooed as she removed the baby girl’s snowsuit. “How’s my little princess?”

“You can take her for a weekend, any time you want. She’s teething.” Julie pulled off her coat and gave her mom a hug and kiss on the cheek. She turned to Liz and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Hi, I’m Julie. I’ve heard absolutely nothing about you.”

Liz liked her immediately. “I’m Liz. I work with Jim.”

Julie’s eyes narrowed, “You don’t look like a cop.”

“That’s because she’s a psychologist.” Jim crossed and gave his sister a one-armed hug and scooped up the little boy and flipped him over his shoulders. “Doc is a child advocate. We’re working on a case together.”

“And living together.” Renae’s dark brow jetted up as she conveyed the juicy gossip.

“It’s not what you think.” Liz said at the same time Jim started to explain.

“She’s CJ’s cousin. I’m helping out with a stalker situation.”

Liz tensed. If he were a few inches closer, he would have got an elbow to the solar plexus. Did he have to tell his whole family she had a stalker? They would think she was crazy.

“What’s the perp’s MO?” Trenton, Jim’s father, came in from the living room at that moment and grabbed a bowl of artichoke dip from the counter.

“Have you got any leads?” His brother in-law Matt asked.

“You can borrow my taser,” Michelle said.

Jim shook his head. “No, are you crazy? I don’t need her tasing me by accident, and as for the MO, he’s mixing it up. No leads at this time.”