Page 67 of Jagger

“What kind of dog?” Her eyes flitted toward the pup, her hands clasping together. “The hero dog. Oh, my God. I am so honored. And this must be little Cally.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cally told her.

“My, such manners for a special young lady. Why don’t we go and look for the perfect collar for that very good girl who saved you?” Betty asked, already holding out her hand.

“Xena. Princess warrior.”

Cally’s voice would always dig out a portion of my heart and I didn’t know why. I hadn’t spent time with a kid in as long as I could remember. Maybe because she was the spitting image of her mother. The same flaxen hair. The same violet eyes.

“Well, then. The collar must be extra special for a princess. And treats.”

I had to hand it to Betty; she knew how to handle children where I failed miserably.

“By the way, Jagger. I just wanted to tell you that the whole town is proud of you. What you did to save that little girl just warms my heart like it does everyone else.” She planted her hand against her heart. “You have a good heart. I’m sure your mother is very proud of the man you’ve become.”

I wasn’t certain about that.

She didn’t wait for me to respond, trailing behind Cally and Xena, the little girl touching everything within her reach. When the three were safely a distance away, I returned my attention to the front of the store.

Bella was pacing the sidewalk, animated as she talked on her phone. Only after she moved to the edge of the sidewalk facing the street did I head out the door. I leaned against the exterior of the building, the excessive traffic preventing me from overhearing what she was saying.

But I could tell by the pained look on her face that whoever she was talking to was important to her. I had one foot on the wall, trying to act as if I was enjoying the brisk weather.

Bullshit.

As soon as she turned around, her pointed look confirmed I sucked at acting. She spun around again, her hand motions more animated than before. Soon, she was off the phone, but her screen remained lit. I was going to use that to my advantage before her iPhone locked down.

When I confronted her, this time she allowed a few seconds of fear to show on her face. “What are you hiding from me?”

“Stop asking me. You couldn’t understand and I just want to leave it alone. Don’t you get it?”

“What I get is that you’re pretending nothing is wrong when you’re terrified of every shadow.”

“That makes two of us.”

Her words were biting and I gritted my teeth. Soon, I’d have no enamel left on any of them. “Fine. Have it your way.”

“By the way. We need to get you a new shirt at least. My treat.”

She tugged at my rumpled, ruined shirt and I laughed. “Yeah, we can do that.”

Her expression softened, hope flaring in her soft purple eyes. It was the same look she’d given me the moment I’d brought her daughter back to safety. The same expression that had slayed me then just about broke me now. “I just need some peace. Please try and understand.”

“What about happiness?”

She scoffed and threw open the door. “I gave up on that when I left Baltimore.”

CHAPTER 18

Bella

“Two brothers in one day, Jagger. I think I died and went to heaven.” The lady behind the counter appeared shocked at seeing Jagger swaggering through the diner’s door.

“Look who’s here, Lois,” another older woman said as she fanned her face. She slapped her lunch companion on the arm from across the booth.

“Jenny. Be still my heart. Like icing on a cake. If only I could lick it off,” Lois said. She had on huge glasses, lifting them and I’d be damned if she didn’t lick her lips in appreciation.

A laugh bubbled to the surface, but Jagger gave me a dirty look.

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