Page 86 of The Ice Queen in the Corner Office

Mr. Owings scowled. “I’m too old to start over.” Then he sighed. “It’s time you stopped worrying about me and lived your life.”

She smiled at her father. “I’m not worried about you. I can’t make rent without your help. You get that disability check every month. Big money.” Her grin made it clear the money wasn’t big and it wasn’t her main motivation, but her words made her father smile.

“I guess it won’t kill me to try living in a new place. If you need me, darling.”

Willow kissed her father’s forehead. “I’m going to go check out downtown with Lee, let me know if you need anything.”

Her father patted her hand and smiled as she left the room. Then he pushed himself to his feet. “My old bones are tired, and we got a lot to do. Want to show me where I can lay down for a bit?”

The older man acted like everything was fine, but his hands shook as he swayed unsteadily on his feet. I could only imagine how the death of his oldest son was affecting him, how much pain he must be in. Alex leapt up and took his father’s elbow, helping him out of the building and out to the cabin. I stayed where I was, wanting to give them some privacy. Alex didn’t seem to need me at all.

I found my mother in the kitchen, ingredients and bowls on every surface, the frying pan already spitting. She gave me a sad smile as I walked in. “How did Alex take the news, honey?”

I should have known she’d have gotten busy in the kitchen as soon as she heard what had happened. Feed the sorrow. It was the southern way.

“I’m not sure. He’s with his dad now. Can I do anything to help?”

“That’s okay, sweetie. Why don’t you get a shower? You can borrow some clothes from my room.”

Her bedroom, with an en suite shower, was just off the kitchen, so I headed that way. I wanted to get myself sorted before Alex returned.

***

“Jill,” Alex said.

I looked up from the breakfast casserole I was sprinkling cheese on to see Alex standing in the doorway to the kitchen. His expression was bleak. “I have to go back to the city. I need to get things together for Rick’s funeral.”

“Do you want me to go with you? I could help—”

“No,” he said, the word harsh. He winced and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “I think it’s best if you stay here. Just stay here over Christmas. I’ve got everything set so you can work from here.”

Christmas was only a couple days away and Mom had already asked me to stay, so it wasn’t a hardship. “I don’t usually work on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, but it’s nice to know I have the option. I’ll be back in the office on Friday.”

“Stay here until after the new year. Enjoy the time with your family. I’ll pay you for it.” He turned to my mother. “Willow would like to stay here for a while if you have the space. I’ll cover all her expenses.”

“She can stay in that cabin she shared with Jill as long as she needs,” Mom said.

“Thank you.” He turned and left the kitchen, moving fluidly even on crutches.

I rubbed my hands on my borrowed jeans and followed him into the dining room. “I’ve already had my vacation,” I said.

His back tensed, but he didn’t turn around. “Consider it your Christmas bonus.”

I grabbed his shoulder and spun him, made him look at me. “What the hell is going on?”

He glared at my hand on his shoulder, his expression so hard, so fierce, that I dropped it and took a step back. “I just need to make sure there won’t be retaliation against any of us. I’ll call when I’m sure you’ll be safe. You can come back then.”

“I’m not going to hide here like a fugitive. Your father said—”

“Why do you have to be so damn stubborn? Why do you have to fight me on every little thing?”

Now I was getting angry. “This isn’t a little thing, Alex. You’re asking me to give up my life and everything in Atlanta for how long?”

“Until I tell you it’s safe,” he said, his voice a growl. “I need to be sure they know you aren’t important to me, that they can’t hurt me by hurting you.”

I felt like I’d been slapped. I took another step back, my heart pounding, my mind reeling.

Deep, deep down, I suspected he was just trying to keep me safe, but his expression was so cold and his words were so harsh.

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