It felt like a stupid question. The woman had terminal brain cancer. Although, she didn’t want to be too specific, because she was aware of Cass’s presence.
Jules nodded. “I’m doing really well.”
“Good.” Addie stepped back.
“That was kind of you,” Cass said.
Addie turned to look at her, nerves once again rattling her rib cage. “Just being nice. How are you, Cass?”
Something flared in the other woman’s eyes. It came and went so quickly that Addie almost thought she’d made it up in her head. “Better. I took Noah and Colt up on the therapy they suggested and offered to pay for. It’s helping.” Then she smiled slightly, and it actually looked genuine.
“That’s great.”Reallygreat. Addie didn’t want things to be weird or awkward between them if they were going to continue working together.
Noah cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at him. “Thanks for coming to the team meeting. I see everyone’s gotten coffee from Jules. Thanks, Jules.”
The older woman smiled before reaching for a to-go cup on the desk and handing it to Addie. “Mexican hot chocolate. I think you’ll like this one.”
Her mouth salivated. “Thank you.”
“We still don’t know when the park will reopen because they haven’t found Rhett’s killer,” Noah continued.
There was the smallest flinch from Cass beside her.
“But they will soon,” he continued. “Until then, everyone will continue to be paid as promised. And the offer for company-paid therapy is also still there.”
Addie snuck a peek at Cass beside her. She seemed okay. But then why did she flinch every time they mentioned Rhett?
Was therapy really helping? Or was at least part of it for show?
He should feel good.The team meeting had gone well. Buck was doing better. And everyone was happy that they’d continue to be paid.
So why did it feel like a rock was sitting in Noah’s gut? Because Jesse didn’t seem any closer to finding the guy? Because they didn’t know how long the park would be closed or how much longer Addie would be at risk?
Addie touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
He looked down at her as they walked down the path through the park. “Yeah, just stuck in my head.” A damn understatement.
A gust of wind blew over their faces. Colt and Flint were checking one side of the park while he and Addie checked another, just to make sure all the lockboxes and equipment were still okay.
“You know,” she started slowly, “I’m pretty good at sorting out head thoughts.”
His lips twitched. “Is that right?”
“Mm-hmm. I’ve even been called a brain wrangler before.”
He stepped over a tree root before turning to help her. “Really? Who called you that?”
“My dad. I’m pretty sure I was six and giving him advice about our dog. Poppy kept eating his socks, so I told Dad to give him his own. Pretty good advice.”
He chuckled. “It sounds like great advice, but I’m fine.” He shot a look at her. “Cass seemed okay.”
“Yeah, she did.” Addie frowned. “It was a complete one-eighty from the last time I saw her. She said the therapy’s been helping.”
“Well, at least Toby’s helpingsomeone.”
“You offered Toby’s services?”
“She asked if we knew anyone, and we gave her a list of local therapists. Cass was the only one who took us up on the offer, and she chose Toby.”
