Her phone vibrated on the bedside table and she reached for it. A severe thunderstorm warning flashed across thescreen.
Of course. Because she had the worst luck in the world. Laying with the kids, she’d hoped the low thunder she’d heard was simply a passing storm and the clouds that had cast a depressing pall over the funeral would break gently. At least it wasn’t a tornadowarning.
She needed to make sure the generator was connected at the rescue and check on the dogs. A few of the boarders were highly anxious and they had to be placed with other dogs or they could hurt themselves trying to escape from their pens. One owner had brought a hug vest specifically for badweather.
Checking that both kids were asleep, she eased out from under them and scooted off the end of the bed. Pulling her dress over her head, she threw it toward the hamper and bent down to rummage in hersuitcase.
Living out of a suitcase sucked, but she hadn’t wanted to move any of Sarah’s clothes to make room for her own. It hadn’t seemed right while she’d been alive. Now, it was just depressing. Final in a way she couldn’t face yet. Maybe her mom would be up for it. If not, Bree would probably helpher.
Her rain boots were back at her apartment, so she slipped into her flip-flops. Patting the end of the bed she said, “Up.” Sprocket jumped onto the bed andsat.
She scratched her behind the ears. “Good girl. Stay with K-Squared.” Sprocket licked Denise’s chin, then low-crawled up the bed until she was between Kimber and Kaden, resting her head on herpaws.
She slipped out the door and braced for the onslaught of people. A sigh of relief escaped when she found only her parents, one of her dad’s sisters, and Bree and Jase. And Chris. A small flame of hope flared to life. Maybe he’d stayed out of concern for her. Or maybe he stayed because he was FBI and he had VIP access to theparty.
The flame sputtered and died as the dull ache in her chest throbbed. She ignored it, just like every other time she’d feltit.
“Hey, honey,” her mom said, opening her arms to Denise. “Are the kidsasleep?”
She hugged her mom. “Yeah. I need to go to the rescue to check on some of the dogs and make sure the generator is hooked up in case the storm knocks out the power. Can you stay for awhile?”
“Well, we were going to go back to the hotel with your aunt Tammy. I supposed I can stay while your dad takes her back to the hotel and then comes back forme.”
“We can stay,” Breesaid.
Denise leaned against the counter. “Are yousure?”
“Of course. We don’t have anywhere else to be tonight and there’s no reason for your dad to make two trips. And I think Tammy’s ready to go.” She nodded to thecouch.
Her aunt had her head propped on her fist on the arm of the couch, eyes closed with her mouth slightlyopen.
“If you really don’t mind, we would appreciate it,” her dadsaid.
“We don’t mind.” Bree slipped her arm around Jase’swaist.
Denise caught the slight squeeze she gave his waist and narrowed her eyes at Bree. She was up to something, but she didn’t have the time to worry aboutit.
“I’ll let you guys fight it out,” she said. “Make sure you get it on video if it comes to blows.” She grabbed her keys from the hook by the door. Chris’s gaze following her out an almost tangibleweight.
* * *
Chris caughtJase starring up at the ceiling and shaking his head. He pressed his lips together to hide his amusement at his friend’sexasperation.
“I shouldn’t be too long,” Denisesaid.
“Take your time,” Breesaid.
“We’ll stay for a few more minutes,” her mom said. “I’ll try to find room for all this food.” She gestured to plastic storage containers stacked on the shortcounters.
“I can’t believe people still do that,” Denise said. “Tell Aunt Tammy I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” She hugged her parents andBree.
He caught the eye flick his way, but didn’t know what to make of it. It was cautious and flirtatious at the same time—an involuntary eye spasm in hisdirection.
Defeat beat down on him with its meaty fists. All he’d wanted to do all day was touch her. Comfort her. Tell her he was there for her and it would eventually be alright. That she was one of the strongest people he knew and she had this. Maybe one day he could get her to trust him again, but at that moment he wasn’t holding out hope. She could hardly look athim.
“This is a lot of food,” Breesaid.
Karen glanced between the two counters. “I know. I hope I can make room for it all. I’d hate for any of it to go towaste.”
