Page 74 of The Mouse and the Maestro

“No worries on Jane’s front, sir. She’s doing all right,” Blue told him.

The Colonel leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Did she really pepper spray you?”

“Sometimes when the light’s dim, I still can’t read small print and my eyes water,” Blue told him, and The Colonel laughed, a rusty, ill used sound that was more alarming than endearing.

“I would pay good money to have seen that,” The Colonel said, wiping his eyes. He checked his watch. “I have a meeting, but I wanted to tell you two things before I go. First, your sister is coming to see you.”

Jane tensed and then winced. “Which one?”

“Both.”

“Oh, Dad, no. Can’t you tell them I’m not up for it?”

“Jane, you girls don’t see each other often enough as it is. You got shot, honey, I think you can tough out one visit with your sisters.”

“Getting shot was easier,” Jane muttered, but The Colonel ignored her.

“Also, your mother wants you to come to dinner on Sunday.”

“Tell Mom I’d be delighted.” Jane paused. “What day is it?”

“Monday. You lost a day,” The Colonel replied. She had come in late Saturday night, had long and tedious reconstructive shoulder surgery on Sunday, and slept until just a short while ago. The Colonel kissed her, stood to go, paused, and turned back. “Blue, we’d like you to come, too.”

“Sure,” Blue stuttered. “Thank you, sir.”

“Hmm,” The Colonel replied, giving him one more penetrating look before turning and walking out the door.

“So you’re dad’s The Colonel,” Blue said when the man was safely away.

Jane sighed. “Yes. We use my mom’s maiden name for safety’s sake. And the lack of a footprint thing, well, you know better than anyone that being on the grid makes me traceable, and we’re all high value targets because of his job.”

“He’s going to make a suit from my skin, isn’t he?” Blue asked.

“Only if we break up.”

“I guess I’m in the clear then,” he said. “Does Ridge know who your dad is?”

“He’s known from the beginning. My dad was the one who suggested me for the assignment,” Jane said.

“So all this time he’s been laughing at me.”

“Probably a lot, but it’s not his fault. I’m sure my dad swore him to secrecy. Most people don’t even know he has kids,” Jane said.

“Huh,” Blue said, shifting to put his arm around her. It was likely he stunk, having been well over twenty four hours since he showered, but he didn’t care. Jane stunk, too. He had seen her sick, shot, bloody, unconscious, asleep, with morning breath,with hospital breath, with makeup, with no makeup, before a makeover, after a makeover, in her element, out of her element, awkwardly bumbling, fluently speaking multiple languages, and so nervous at his touch she ran into a wall. And he liked her in every capacity he’d witnessed. No, he loved her. She was incredibly imperfect, and so was he, and he was deliriously in love with her.

“Also, you’re right,” he continued. “I would not have been able to handle that information in the beginning. I would have run away screaming.”

“And now?” she prompted.

“I’m still screaming, but I’m running toward you.”

“Perfect,” she said. Her IV hand rested on his stomach as she tipped her face up to kiss him. The motion caused pain to shoot through her injured shoulder, but it was worth it. He kissed her in return until two new voices interrupted them.

“Nick’s here,” the first woman said.

“That’s not Nick,” the second woman replied.

“It’s New Nick,” the first woman said.

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