Jameson sorted out the items from the bags while Rebecca went into the living room. From what he saw, she didn’t have much success with Caroline either. He put the extra toilet paper in the bathrooms and took out some snacks. Placing most of it in the fridge, he collected all the bags and emptied the earlier trash.His mind drifted to when he first met Thomas, and he wondered what Caroline’s father thought of his questioning the first time he met.
Did he consider Jameson intrusive, or did Thomas see something inside of him? It felt like he referred to him as his son, making Jameson’s chest hitch. The endearment meant more to him than he knew.
Garrett and Riley showed up next, bringing in dinner for the team.
“Sorry, we ran later than expected,” Riley apologized. “Tara’s watching Megan, and we went over the last-minute instructions. What do you want us to do?”
“Can you help Rebecca with Caroline? She won’t stop cleaning the damn carpet,” he said, frustrated.
Riley patted his arm as she walked past him.
“What’s wrong?” Garrett asked as soon as Riley walked out of hearing range.
“She hasn’t shed a tear. Caroline’s extremely calm for someone who lost her father. It feels…eerie. We’ll have a ton of unknowns coming to give their condolences. We need men at all points of the house and covering the street.”
“We have your six,” Garrett assured him. “It’s getting covered as we speak. Matthew’s making calls while Rachel picks up a few outfits. Spider volunteered to help.”
“Yeah, I bet he did. Did you see how the asshole stares at her?” Jameson bit out.
“Calm down. He has a picture of his wife on his phone. She carries an uncanny resemblance to Caroline. You can’t fault the man for feeling weird about it,” Garrett reasoned.
“I can when he follows her around with his eyes, like he’s waiting to strike,” he grumbled.
“Do I see a little green-eyed monster on your shoulder?” Garrett chuckled. “Calm the F down. He’s one of us. We don’tencroach on each other’s women. He knows the bro code. I don’t think you’re upset with Spider. Thomas accepted you. He treated you like his son. You must be hurting, too.”
“It’s not fucking fair. He waited years for her to walk through the door. He listened to me and didn’t judge. He asked me to watch over her as if he knew…” he mumbled, making a pot of coffee. “Maybe if I can get something hot in her, she’ll feel better.”
“Riley brought soup and comfort food. I’ll answer the door, take care of the rest of the items, and bring out the coffee in a minute. Go take care of your woman.”
Jameson glanced inside the living room, where the ladies surrounded her. She finally sat on the couch, talking quietly with them.
“What if she doesn’t want me there?” he murmured.
“Your past has reared its ugly head,” Garrett spoke low. “You can let it whisper in your ear, telling you you’re not enough. Or you can go in there and show her you’re not like your father.”
Jameson hesitated another moment before walking into the room. He refused to let his insecurities about his father win. He stole Caroline’s life, robbed Jameson’s, and he refused to let James Stanton take his future.
“You need to eat,”Rebecca said gently, but firmly. “It’s important you keep your strength.”
“I’m not hungry,” she said, refusing the bowl of soup Riley brought.
“Eat it,” Riley growled, handing it back to her. “Your body needs nourishment. Thomas wouldn’t want you to starve yourself.”
“No,” Caroline agreed. “He’d want me to continue on with my life.”
“Exactly,” Riley encouraged as Jameson entered. She scooted down, making room for him to sit by Caroline.
“Rachel’s bringing you some dresses for the funeral. Do you need anything else?” he asked, gently, caressing her hand.
“I need a lawyer. Nancy told me she inherited all of Dad’s estate because he never thought I’d be found. He called his lawyer to change it. Nancy wants me to have it. It’s not right. She took care of him all these years, and I’ve only stayed with him for mere weeks. I want it divided. She’s older, and I’m still young and can work.”
“It’s not your fault,” Rebecca reminded her. “I’m sure Nancy’s honoring what your father wanted.”
Nodding stiffly, she reached for the soup. Jameson felt she did it to avoid discussing anything further.
“Does something seem off to you?” Jameson whispered to Rebecca. “She hasn’t shed a tear.”
“She’s still in shock,” Rebecca explained.
