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LET IT PLAY OUT

“It’s so nice to see you again, Marly,” Jane Ryder said later that week. “I’m glad you could join us for Thanksgiving.”

“I’m thrilled for the invitation,” she said. “You look the same as you did decades ago.”

“Oh, flattery will get you anything you want,” Jane said.

But it was the truth.

Colson’s mother hadn’t really changed except for some wrinkles on her face. She was built the same, not one ounce of gray in her hair, the smile still welcoming.

She knew Colson got his personality from his mother.

“Colson told me I couldn’t bring anything to eat, but I got you a plant. I remembered you liked them.”

“I did and I do,” Jane said. “Aren’t you the sweetest thing. Did you really remember that?”

“She did,” Bella said. “I was surprised too. I helped her pick it out because I remembered what you had in the house.”

Jane took the plant and set it on the coffee table in the living room they were in, then put her arm around Bella. “And how are you? You’ve had a few busy weeks.”

“I’m doing well. Everything is good.”

Jane looked at her son. “No other word on things?”

He shook his head.

Marly wasn’t surprised that Holly had been quiet.

At least with Colson.

Bella had admitted that her mother sent a text three days ago, just checking in and saying hi. Bella replied and then it was silence once again.

No mention about today being Thanksgiving.

No comments on maybe wanting to see her or asking what she had going on.

It just said exactly everything they figured was going to happen, but time would tell.

It just sucked that time was something they didn’t have all that much of.

And this week, having today and tomorrow off, people in her office nonstop, the mayor and the deputy chief being the lead on the narco case, between the two of them, she felt as if she was drowning.

But she’d be damned if she was going to let anyone know.

This was only the beginning of her career. When this case, or any case was over, three more would take its place.

She’d been preparing her whole life for it and now she had to figure out how to balance that with Colson and Bella.

Since he was just as busy this week with work, it didn’t seem to be a big deal.

At least she hoped so and wasn’t missing something.

“Can I help in the kitchen?” Bella asked. “Colson is letting me cook more. And Marly said we could make cookies together this weekend.”

“I’m going to get fat,” Marly said. “Because today, then dessert at my parents’ later, cookies this weekend.”