His phone rang. It was Mia. Was she going to lash out? If so, he deserved it. “Mia…”
“I believe in you, Cid. I know you wouldn’t intentionally hurt me. Try to believe in me. I will have a lot of adjusting to do, but I love you and want you to be happy. You probably have spent more time conversing with Murph than anyone. If he is a threat to my marriage, I hope you would give me a heads-up or cut him off at the pass.”
“No, he loves you but understands your heart is Ted’s. I’m sorry to jump to the conclusion that you would try to submarine my relationship.”
“Only you can do that. Make sure that Sally knows that if she enters into a life with you that Ted comes too.”
“How have you put up with me for so many years?” Cid asked.
“I love Ted and want him to be happy. I also love you. You’ve never crossed the line with me. You don’t know how freeing it is to be with someone who doesn’t want to jump my bones. I can let my guard down and just be me.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“Instantly,” Mia said. “Get some sleep. If things get out of control, remember you have Jesse Holden as your knight. Trust him to come through for you. Good night, Cid.”
“Good night, Mia.”
There was a light tap on the door of the bunkroom.
“Come in.”
“I was a bit worried you were having an argument with Sally.”
“I was talking with Mia.”
“Are you two sleeping together?” Jessie asked.
“Honestly?” Cid whined.
“No, I want to know.”
“No. She’s married to my best friend.”
“Are the three of you…”
“You’re way off base,” Cid growled.
“Has it ever been offered?” Jesse asked.
“No.”
“Did you ever consider asking?” Jesse prodded.
“No.”
“Huh. I just assumed.”
“Haven’t you ever had a best friend?” Cid asked.
“Not as close as you and Ted are.”
“We don’t have those kinds of feelings for the other,” Cid said. “I have his back, and he has mine. Mia accepted that I was part of Ted’s life from day one.”
“But yet, you question her about her best friend Murphy.”
“Yes, I’m a hypocrite. Saint Cid is a hypocrite,” Cid said. “You’ve been around Murphy and Mia, what have you observed?”
“The ghost is besotted but he’s honorable. Mia isn’t interested in screwing a dead guy or anyone else for that matter. I mean, if she didn’t hit on me, then she’s not looking.”
“You think very highly of yourself.”
“I believe in truth. That’s why I ask questions instead of making up the answers. If you asked me whether or not Mia was trying to destroy your new relationship, I would have asked you these questions: Are you sleeping with her? Has she ever not been supportive of any of your last relationships? Are you and Ted lovers?”
“No, no, and no.”
“This information would answer the question. No, Mia is not trying to submarine your relationship with Sally by using the dead stud.”
“Life is so simple with you,” Cid said, pushing his hand through his hair.
“Yes. I have one last question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you trying to find a way to submarine your relationship with Sally because it’s too good to be true? Or you’re afraid of commitment?”
“That’s two questions,” Cid said.
“I’ve worked with Kiki for a long time, and you two have some similar traits.”
Cid winced.
Jesse acknowledge that Cid wasn’t pleased with being lumped in with Kiki but continued, “You look for anyone else to blame when things don’t go the way you want them to. And you’re both insecure.”
“Gee, are you Freud or Jung tonight?” Cid snapped.
“How do you feel about Sally?”
“I think I’ve fallen in love with her. It’s too quick. Things like this don’t happen. It’s illogical.”
“It happens. You were meant to be together. Carl, who is extremely protective, sees that you’re the man for Sally. Sally is honest with you. You praise honesty. She stepped between you and Faye when Faye scared the crap out of us when she found the safe. She trusted you when you mentioned the Leighton facility. She took on all this paranormal crap like a duck to water. You’re perfect for each other. Stop trying to find reasons to end things just because you don’t think you’ll measure up.”
“Mia said to trust you. How would she know we’d have this conversation?” Cid asked.
“Huh. I think maybe she meant to trust me to have your back. She would have no idea I’m so great on saving other people’s relationships. I’m so good, I should do a TED talk.”
“I think Ted talks enough for everyone,” Cid said.
“Ha!”
“Get out of here. We have priests coming in the morning. Bridgeton is supposed to meet with Kiki in the afternoon, and Pete’s in charge of meals…”
“A day full of adventure!” Jesse said.
Cid heard him rummaging in the cupboards.
“Now where did I put my Rolaids?”
Chapter Twenty-three
Cid had just exited the trailer when Father Simon pulled up in his truck. Father Santos got out, dressed in clothes that he had to have taken off the back of a laborer. His Spanish accent was more prevalent than Cid remembered it. Father Simon was dressed in work clothes and did nothing else to alter his image.
“People look at me and assume I’m an illegal even when I’m wearing my vestments,” he said to Cid.
“That’s a sad state of affairs,” Cid said. “Come on in. I was just going to make the coffee. Pete’s cooking today, but the guys made me promise to make the coffee. Evidently, Pete and coffee makers are incompatible.”
“Ethan put a few extra things in the back on Murphy’s recommendation,”
