Page 119 of Big Bad Wolfe

“N-not Zane?”

Zane’s lungs seized. His son didn’t want to be left alone with him.

“No, Zane is going with me.”

“H-he is?” Casey hiccupped, his sobs slowed, then he astonished Zane by sitting up and looking at him, huge brown eyes brimming with earnest confidence. “You’re going, too?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you can pertect her, right?”

He was finally able to inhale. “Absolutely, pal.”

“Promise, me, Zane. Promise me you won’t let Aunt Jelly go away and never come back.”

“I promise, Casey.”

And if need be, I’ll give my life to keep that promise.

Jillian rocked Casey, patting and soothing him. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m going to be just fine.”

The overwrought child calmed, fell asleep within ten minutes. Jillian carefully laid him on the sofa, covered him with a throw. She crooked her finger at Zane.

Shoulders knotted, he followed her to the kitchen. “He was fine with me yesterday, but today was total FUBAR.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what I did that upset him so much.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. This ismyfault.” She rested her elbows on the countertop and buried her face in her hands. “He hasn’t had one of these separation anxiety meltdowns in a long time, but I’ve been leaving him a lot lately. The gala is essential to keep the Center running, and since Loucinda can’t be there, Ihaveto go. Only, oh God, I feel sohorrible.”

Instead of wrecking him, her distress gave him resolve … and purpose. Oddly, the fact that she didn’t have all the answers and felt doubt about her parenting reassured him. If Jillian, as good a mom as she was, had doubt attacks at times, then hell, he was bound to. He turned her, enfolded her in his arms. “Okay,hey.First of all, back the guilt-trip truck up.”

“I can’t stay with him, but how can I go, knowing it’ll upset him? It’s a lose/lose choice. I don’t know what to do. What should I do?”

“Jillian, you’re the best mom I’ve ever met, especially flying solo. You said Casey had seen a counselor for this, how did the counselor advise you?”

She inhaled a shuddering breath, swallowed, and pulled herself together. “He said I needed to leave him sometimes, so he’d learn Iwouldcome back. Which would eventually allay his fears. But don’t leave for long periods of time, give him lots of reassurance, and make sure he stays with someone he knows and trusts.”

“Which is exactly what you’re doing. He’ll be with Dean and Loucinda tonight, and he’ll be fine.”

“Logically, yes.” Her arms slid around his waist, held on tight. “But I still feel awful about going.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I have an idea that might cheer the kid up.” He laid out his plan.

When he was finished, she tipped her chin up to look at him, her lovely face radiant. “Casey is so blessed to have you for a father.”

He stood mute, overcome by her irrepressible optimism, generous spirit and most of all, her unconditional acceptance. She was firmly in his camp. They were allies in the battle he had to fight.

She believed in him, without reservation.

How did he ever deserve a woman like this by his side? He’d make damned certain nothing happened to her.

He cleared stinging emotion from his throat. “I’d better get busy making phone calls.”

She stood on tiptoe gave him a long, lingering kiss that robbed him of all oxygen. “I love you,” she murmured against his mouth.

Her love made him feel like he could leap tall buildings with a single bound. Catch bullets between his teeth. “Jillian, I … I lo—”

The phone in her skirt pocket started singing, and she jumped. Clearly torn between duty and devotion, she looked down, then back at him, the longing clear in her eyes.

Maybe the interruption was fortuitous. “You should probably get that.”

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