“She loves the attention,” Izzy said. She turned to Garth. “So you’re in Titanville early.”
“There’s a lot going on,” Dana said, hoping she looked and sounded casual. “I’m going to be speaking with some guys I know at the Dallas Police Department. While a lot of their investigation is confidential, I’ll be able to get a sense of what they have and what they need. There’s no point in duplicating work. But before I do that, I want each of you to be sure about this. Once it’s done, it can’t be undone. If Jed is charged, it sets a course in motion.”
There was a lot more she could say-like no matter what, he was their father. She might think he was a class A asshole, but that was because he’d nearly killed a close friend. But she wasn’t family.
Skye, ever elegant in a tailored suit, shook her head. “We don’t have any second thoughts. Garth said nearly the same thing yesterday. We talked for hours and we know this is what we want.”
Lexi put her arm around Izzy. “He crossed the line. We want him taken down.”
Izzy, normally so full of life, was oddly silent. Her face was pale, a stark contrast to her dark, curly hair.
Dana had a small idea of what her friend was feeling. She’d had to deal with a father who was abusive. But she’d known what he was all her life, while Izzy had to deal with the shock of learning her own father had been willing to consider her a casualty of war.
Renee returned and they ordered breakfast. When they were alone again, Skye said, “If he hadn’t arranged for the explosion, we would have backed off. But that changed everything. We have to protect ourselves against him. He needs to be prosecuted for everything he’s done.”
The sisters were so different, Dana thought. Lexi, the cool blonde, with her holistic view on life. Pregnant and glowing, she looked radiant enough to make even the most cynical woman long for motherhood. Skye, with her fiery red hair, had the appearance of the wild child of the group, while she was the most maternal. The quietest and most caring.
Izzy, always ready for adventure, had nearly been defeated by the aftermath of the blast that had left her blind. Not permanently, but it had been a scare. She’d changed, but was still the one who led with her heart.
These women were her family, Dana thought. She would die for them, if necessary.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll move forward,” she said. “We’ll get him.”
Renee returned with a pot of hot water, a teacup and a tray of teas. “The kitchen’s backed up. It’ll be a couple of minutes.”
“No problem,” Skye said.
Lexi sniffed. “Oh, Renee. Look.” She pointed at the tray of tea bags.
“So?” Renee’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your point?”
Lexi stood and hugged her, her big belly getting in the way. “They’re organic.”
Renee shook her off. “Yeah, yeah, so what? I slipped when I placed my order. Checked the wrong box. Now I’m stuck with them, so you’d better drink them all.”
Lexi sniffed as she sat. “I will. I promise.”
“Cheap talk,” Renee muttered as she walked off.
Izzy grinned at Garth. “See what we do to people.”
“It’s terrifying,” he said as he picked up his coffee. “I don’t stand a chance.”
“If only that were true,” Izzy said. “But I have high hopes. Especially with Dana’s help.”
Had Dana been drinking she would have choked. “You’re on your own,” she said, hoping she wasn’t blushing.
“While we’re talking about changes,” Skye said, then paused.
Lexi leaned toward her. “Tell them.”
“Maybe it’s not the time.”
“It’s the perfect time.”
Garth looked at Dana, as if asking what they were talking about. She shrugged, not sure what Skye meant.
Skye shifted in her seat, then smiled shyly. “It’s probably a ridiculous thing to say or even think about, with everything going on,” she began.
Izzy rolled her eyes. “Would you get to the point? It’s wonderful. Come on. Tell them.”
Skye looked from Dana to Garth and back. “As you know, Mitch and I are engaged. We’ve been talking about the wedding and, well, it was Erin’s idea, really.”
Izzy dropped her head to the table. “Will you get on with it?” she said, her voice muffled.
Skye cleared her throat. “We’re talking about a Christmas Eve wedding. Erin thinks it would be romantic and I know Mitch is excited that he’ll never have to worry about remembering our anniversary.”
“I don’t think that’s what has him excited,” Dana said with a laugh. A holiday wedding. Skye’s daughter was right…it was very romantic. “It sounds perfect. And very you. Imagine the party you can plan.”
Skye looked more worried than happy. She stared at Garth. “Is it a bad idea? I’m thinking about all the things going on with Jed. Should we wait?”
“No. Getting enough on Jed could take weeks, months or even years. Don’t put your life on hold. A Christmas Eve wedding sounds very…nice.”
“Nice?” Izzy straightened. “You are such a guy.”
“Thank you.”
“It would be a small wedding,” Skye said. “Family and a few close friends.”
“Don’t compromise,” Dana told her. She might not be a “fancy party” kind of person herself, but she cared about her friend. “Have the wedding you want.”
Skye smiled at her. “I appreciate that and I know you’re right. We’ve talked and we want something intimate. Special. Just the people we love, at the house. But there isn’t much time.”
“If anyone can do it, you can,” Izzy said. “You’re gifted at the party thing. And I’ll help.” She held up her hands, palms out. “I know, I know. I’m a giver. I can’t help it.”
“I’ll help, too,” Lexi said, resting her hand on her stomach. “As long as I can do it sitting down.”
“I’ll be busy,” Dana muttered, thinking she would rather tackle Jed in a gun battle than address invitations or fold napkins.
Everyone laughed.
Lexi started to say something, then frowned at Garth. “Didn’t you have on that exact shirt and tie yesterday?”
The table went silent. Dana’s first thought was complete panic. Oh God, oh God, oh God! Now what? Everyone would know. What would they think? What would
Garth calmly sipped his coffee. “No.”
Lexi squinted at him. “I guess you’re right. They look the same.”
“All men’s clothes look the same,” Izzy complained. “Have you seen their shoes? All those identical loafers. The big question is tassels.”
Just then Renee showed up with breakfast. Dana accepted her plate with a sense of being handed a reprieve. Slowly, carefully, she glanced at Garth, who was watching her. He winked.
AFTER BREAKFAST, EVERYONE went their separate ways. Lexi and Dana walked to Lexi’s car. Dana hovered as her very pregnant friend waddled more than walked.
“How are you going to survive the last two months?” Dana asked.
“I’ll manage,” Lexi said cheerfully. She paused by her car, then said, “He’s not your usual type. Garth, I mean.”
Dana opened her mouth, then closed it. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lexi raised her eyebrows. “I noticed the tie yesterday specifically because Cruz has the same one. I thought it was interesting. Men don’t wear the same tie two days in a row unless they haven’t gone home to change.”
“Right,” Dana said, struggling to stay calm. “But maybe he wasn’t with me.”
Lexi watched her without saying anything.
Dana collapsed like overcooked pasta. “Okay, it was me. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. And then he wouldn’t leave. He spent the night.”
“Fascinating,” Lexi said slowly. She smiled. “I know we’ve been after you to try someone new, but Garth?”
“I can’t explain it,” Dana muttered. “He’s your brother. Is it too weird?”
