29. Jamison

Taking the stairs two at a time, Jamison rushed to the ground floor. They were late for the ultrasound appointment, and she stumbled onto the lower level, cracking her ankle on the mahogany newel post.

She couldn't believe she overslept. That wasn't like her at all. Weird dreams involving Laura Jean crying on Haven's lawn had plagued her for half the night. Each time they started, she woke in a panic with the echo of her mother's screaming for Evie to stay, banging around in her head.

Liam was to blame. After crying herself to sleep, it wasn't any wonder that her mind couldn't rest.

"What the hell?" Jamison paused in the hall when a harsh screeching let loose through the house. "Is someone killing a cat?"

The ear-splitting squeals were coming from the parlor. She took a hesitant step into the doorway, expecting to see a feline slaughter going down right there on Simone's favorite area rug.

Instead, she found her father sitting on the couch, sipping his morning coffee, and watching Theo and Harper going full metal on a karaoke machine. Next to the girls, Xavier played guitar—a real freaking guitar—strumming random chords as he banged his head to the noise.

"Morning," Simone called out as she came down the hall with an extremely irate Selah chasing after her. "Enjoying the show?"

"That guitar is not coming home with us," Selah said when the two of them joined her in the doorway. "What was dad thinking?"

Simone eyeballed her son. "He was thinking it would make our grandson happy. Now, go away and let me enjoy my babies making music together while I can."

"Oh, so that's what this is about." Selah crossed his arms and tried to look intimidating. "You guys are upset we're leaving, so you gave Xavier a guitar to torture me and Lenora."

"We have no interest in torturing Lenora," Simone countered. "And since you've missed your ride with Evie and Samuel, your father has rescheduled the jet to leave in one hour. You should pack."

"I missed my ride because you two waved a guitar in my son's face and asked him to play," Selah grumbled, stalking back down the hall. "That thing is staying here."

"Like hell it is," Simone muttered, bobbing her head in time with Xavier's version of a song. "This is also payback for when he signed up to play the trumpet in high school. Music is not your brother's forte."

"I don't think it's Xavier's forte either," Jamison said, unable to peel her eyes from the scene. Harper and Theo were whipping their hair around in circles, while her father—the biggest child of them all—clapped and cheered. "This is evil."

"No, this is what happens when y'all make plans behind our backs," Simone replied sweetly. "And you better hurry. Samuel and Evie dropped the girls off over an hour ago."

The song ended, and Theo spotted them watching. Dropping the microphone, it squealed in denial as she ran over on her tiptoes. "Hurry!" She jumped in place, her tutu fluttering every which way while the dozen or so strands of pearls around her neck smacked together. "Yous gonna miss the penis!"

"That's a real problem I've been having lately." Jamison kissed the top of her head. "But keep rocking out, okay? The louder, the better."

Theo giggled and hopped like a bunny back to her sister and cousin.

"My meeting starts in a minute," her father said as the kids geared up for another performance. "I've got time for one more song."

"Shouldn't you get dressed?" Jamison asked.

"Nah." Stretching out in his black athletic pants and plain white T-shirt, he grinned. "Taylor will be here soon, and she's the only one who will really see me."

Xavier struck another random chord, and Harper howled, attempting to match the tone. They blasted into a second song, this one louder than the first.

"I'm tired of seeing that woman," Simone said to Jamison when the noise level rose high enough so others wouldn't hear.

"I've been ordered to handle it, and I plan to."

"Ordered by who?"

"Hillary."

Simone grunted. "If Taylor isn't pretending, she's no match for you, but if she is, that woman might bite back with more force than you're expecting."

"Pretending?"

Patting her cheek, Simone smiled softly. "You know how they say mothers have eyes in the back of their heads? Well, we also have bullshit meters, and I have a feeling Taylor is full of it."

It felt good to laugh. "You are so mean."

"That's what they tell me." Simone gave a wave, heading into the parlor to sit and watch the show. "Liam is in the kitchen."

Blowing out a breath to steady herself, Jamison made her way to the kitchen. If he were cold, and shut off, she could push through, but if he became agitated again—on today of all days—she might freak out.

At least she'd had the forethought to take something to calm her nerves. Shortly after their breakup, her doctor prescribed medication after she showed signs of being noticeably anxious all the time. Taking them had felt like a cop out, and at first, she refused, but when the stretch of days got harder without Liam around, she thought using them might not be such a bad idea. Only as needed.

And today was an as needed kind of day.

Dressed in slacks, and a dark blue collared button-up shirt, Liam had his back to her when she entered. He looked damn good.

"Morning," she mumbled.

"Good morning."

No sarcasm. No anger. Just a regular good morning as if he hadn't left her in ruins all night.

She noticed the gun secured in his shoulder holster. "Are we really going to the appointment armed?"

"I don't plan to go in." He glanced back over his shoulder at her. "Holden will cover the building, and I'll take the parking lot."

"So, I'll finally see the mysterious Holden," she said, still trying to gauge what she was dealing with before they left. "I wonder if I'll like him."

"Most women do."

Standing at the stove, Annabeth sorted through a fresh batch of muffins as she danced to the music playing through the kitchen speakers. "Jamison, you need to eat before leaving."

Leaning on the counter next to where the Colonel sat, Rowan watched the sway of Annabeth's hips with a goofy grin on his face.

Jamison rolled her eyes and went over to swipe a hot muffin from Annabeth. "Don't you two look happy."

"And you look like crap," Rowan replied, all smiles. "Couldn't sleep?"

Liam sealed lids on two to-go cups of coffee and handed her one. "Jamison is better after coffee."

Up close, he looked as ragged as she felt. Deep lines ran along his cheeks like he had slept face down on a table.

"Thanks for making me a cup," she mumbled. He was the only person in the world who knew how to get the delicate balance of sugar and creamer just the way she liked it. "I need caffeine."

"Both of you take a muffin and go," Annabeth said as she continued to dance and cook, totally in her element. Add-on Rowan staring at her with heart-eyes, and Jamison didn't think she had seen her friend this happy since the day she first stepped into the bookshop. "You're going to barely make the penis viewing as is."

They did need to go. She hadn't been to any appointments this time around with Evie and missed Theo's birth entirely since the child always did things her own way and arrived early.

But first, she wanted to snag some gossip.

Careful not to smudge her red lipstick, Jamison took a bite of the muffin while Liam ate his. "It sounded like you had your own penis viewing last night."

"You are so nosey," Annabeth replied without turning around. "But yes. My penis viewing was quite an experience. A large event, you could say."

"That is the weirdest compliment I've ever received," Rowan mused, scratching the Colonel behind the ears. "And you guys have the strangest morning conversations in this house. Most families wait until the afternoon to start discussing genitals."

Liam shook his head, completely unbothered by the conversation. "It takes some getting used to, but after a month or so it won't even phase you anymore."

The back door creaked open, and Izzy stuck her head inside. Hair a mess and wearing the same clothes as last night, her eyes went wide when she saw them. "You're up?"

"Today is an early day, Ms. Pe?a," Liam replied, trying to keep a straight face. "Rowan has new data to go over with you while I take Jamison to Evie's appointment."

Popping into the kitchen, Izzy speed walked past them to the side hall where the downstairs guest rooms were located. "Got it. I'll be right back."

The four of them watched her go, their heads following her retreat. Before anyone could speak, Abe rolled in next. "Morning. What's for breakfast?"

Annabeth opened her mouth—likely to throw an insult at her brother—but Liam hustled Jamison out before she could hear.

"You're making us miss the gossip."

"We'll get it later," he said, as they walked down the hall. "You look nice, by the way."

The emerald-green blouse matched her eyes and paired well with the black high waisted pants. It was also one of his favorites and she'd worn it on purpose. "Thanks," she mumbled, still not knowing how to take him or the compliment. "You look nice, too."

"Did you manage to get some sleep?"

"Yes," she lied. "And you?"

He wouldn't look at her. "An hour or so."

Halting their progress to the foyer, she stopped a few feet from the parlor entrance. The concert still in progress, she had to shout to be heard. "Tell me you didn't stay up all night listening to that phone call again."

"No, I moved on."

"To what?"

"Analyzing what we learned at the party."

Meaning he listened to what Michael had whispered in her ear over and over again. Between their conversation and the fear over what he might think Michael Sinclair meant it was no wonder she had such vicious nightmares.

Pulling his sunglasses out of his pocket, Liam slipped them on. "I also came up with a timeline."

"What kind of timeline?"

"An interesting one."

He continued onward, not giving her a chance to ask any more questions. "Hey, Harper," he yelled over the music as they passed the parlor. "Show your Auntie that thing I taught you with the mic."

Cupping her hands around the microphone's grill, Harper let out a string of bellowing chants that bordered on the demonic. Theo did the same, but it came out more like an animal dying instead.

"Make sure you do that for your dad later." Liam threw the kids finger horns as Jamison watched in wide-eyed horror. "But louder."

"Samuel is going to kill you."

Liam let out an evil chuckle. "Yeah, maybe."

Abandoning the baby death metal concert, they made their way outside, and nearly crashed into Taylor on the porch.

"Oh, hey!" Taylor stopped short so as not to drop the stack of files in her arms. "Off to the appointment? You better hurry or you'll miss it."

The low-cut blouse Taylor was wearing had Jamison's right eye twitching. "Yeah, we know."

"Lots of new police guards, I see," Taylor tilted her head at the Hollingsdale PD loitering just off the front walk. "Liam, why aren't you using the ones we've already hired and are paying good money for?"

"Good morning, Taylor." Ignoring the question, Liam placed a hand on the small of Jamison's back. "I didn't see you at the party last night."

"I'm not surprised you didn't recognize me. I was dressed as Tinkerbell with a wig and everything. Ben was really into it and said he thought I looked cute as a blonde." Leaning in, Taylor gave Jamison a wink. "Wasn't your mom a blonde?"

Everything went red. The trees. The porch. The woman in front of her with her boobs hanging out.

Liam's fingers dug into her waist, gripping hard enough to lock her in place, and Jamison forced her lips into a thin smile. "If my dad said anything, it was out of politeness."

Taylor's grin never faltered. "Or he really thought I looked cute."

"Or he thought you looked like an asshole and didn't want to say so to your face."

"Annnnnd we're going." Liam guided her along and down the front steps, possibly saving Taylor's life. She tried to turn around and hurl another insult, but he was holding her too tight. "Destroy her later, Jamison."

"What in the hell?" she hissed as he hustled them down the walk. "Is she trying to get punched?"

"That would be my guess," Liam said under his breath, nodding at the officers as they passed. "Hey, guys, try not to step on the flowers."

The handful of cops standing in Ty's flower garden apologized and retreated to the lawn.

"Thanks for that," she said as he brought her to a plain white rental sedan.

"I promised Ty I would look after you and everyone else." He unlocked the car, and they got in. "I've always assumed that promise extends to Haven and the gardens. You know how particular he was."

Yes, she did. Ty had been proud of his work at Haven House. Simone might be the heartbeat of Haven, but Ty had been the one who crafted its soul, pouring his love of the place into everything he did.

"When did you make that promise?"

"In those last days," Liam replied, referring to the endless weeks they spent in the hospital sitting with Ty after his final stroke. "He couldn't talk much, but the man knew how to get his point across."

"I need to call Dee." She missed Ty's wife and hadn't seen her in ages. "Her birthday is coming up, but she's spent the last few months visiting her sister."

"I spoke to her a couple of days ago and told her to stay put until this thing blows over. She said that was fine because she was already planning to stay through the holidays. Maybe when things get a little more under control, we can go up there and visit."

We.

Hearing him make future plans had her emotions splitting in two. One side danced, setting off explosions of utter happiness, but the other went quiet, terrified.

She also wasn't sure if the good cop/bad cop game remained in play.

"So, what's going on with you and Taylor?"

"I hate her."

"That's nothing new." He pulled onto the empty highway. "But is there anything in particular that's causing this higher-than-normal level of hostility?"

"There are rumors going around she and my dad are seeing each other," she said. "Oh, and they're also saying she's pregnant with his baby."

"That's weird, and a little gross." Liam made a face. "No offense to your dad."

"It is gross, and I don't want to talk about it." She slouched in her seat. "Change the subject."

"Rowan and Annabeth were kind of cozy when they came in last night and this morning."

"They had sex during the rainstorm."

"I figured that by Annabeth's comments, but where?"

"In the bookshop."

"Again, where?" Liam's brows knitted together in confusion. "Those couches aren't big enough to hold Rowan."

"I texted her that exact question last night, and all Annabeth said was that they made a mess. I was going to ask again this morning but didn't expect to find him hovering." Relaxing some, she shifted in her seat. "What about Izzy and Abe?"

"Izzy is pretty conservative when it comes to her dating life. She doesn't do short term."

"Do you think you should say something about Abe and his," she searched for the best way to phrase it, "non-conservative dating habits?"

"We're all stressed, and she was probably blowing off steam. Iz will figure it out."

They descended into a comfortable silence. She wanted to ask more about the timeline he mentioned, but she didn't work up the nerve to ask until they reached the outskirts of Port Michaelson. "What was that about a timeline?"

The car came to a stop at a red light, and he shook his head, placing a finger to his lips.

"Oh." Unable to stop herself, she ran a hand under the dashboard to try and feel for a listening device. "Where?"

Liam pointed to the car's radio. "Small and impressive."

"I brought my phone," she whispered, as if lowering her voice would make a difference. "I hope that's okay."

"It's fine, just be careful."

"Which translates to, do not talk about anything."

"Pretty much." Sliding his arm across the center console, he gripped her thigh. "Or we could talk about how good you looked last night in that lingerie. It's not as nice as the honeymoon set, but I liked it."

Her mouth went dry, and she clamped her legs shut. He didn't mean it. This was bad cop disguised as good cop. The mention of her lingerie, the talk of them visiting Dee together—it was all for show because he thought Michael was listening.

"And yet, the only penis I'll get to see today is one on an ultrasound screen."

Liam gave her thigh a hard squeeze, hitting a ticklish spot. She let out a squeak, almost spilling her coffee.

"I doubt you'll see a penis. Samuel is destined to have all girls."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because could you imagine him trying to raise a mini-male version of himself? Your brother's not strong enough for that kind of parenting."

He wasn't wrong. Samuel excelled at being a girl dad right down to letting Theo paint his toenails every so often.

"No, I can't." She cleared her throat. "And, um, I was thinking. This afternoon, can we talk?"

"About what?"

"Us." Her take as needed meds were rocketing through her system at full speed, making her brave. "Only if you can."

"I can."