“I should have ordered you tea,” Jem said.
“What?”
Jem shook his head.He got to his feet.“Do you want anything else?”
When Tean said, “No, thank you,” there was a familiar wariness behind the words—like he expected it to turn into an argument.
This time, Jem only loaded up one plate.And he put cantaloupe on there.And honeydew.Even though the melons were kind of pale.Because that was what adults did.
Also, bacon, though.Obviously.
When he got back, Tean was staring into the fireplace.The doc’s face was slack, and while some of it was probably fatigue from the morning they’d had…
“What’s going on inside that head?”Jem asked.
It took a moment, like Tean had to drag himself back from somewhere, the firelight dancing in his glasses.But then he said, “Nothing.I’m all right.You?”
“Tired.Cranky.We still haven’t had sex.”
A shadow of a smile fell on Tean’s face, but he didn’t say anything.Not right away.He traced something on the tabletop with his fingers.When his gaze came back to Jem, he said, “This must be a lot for you.”
“I mean, we’re trapped at a ski resort with a dead body and a killer who’s still on the loose.It’d be a lot for anyone.Except maybe those Hallmark gals.The ones who are always solving murders in between baking things and knitting things and opening bed-and-breakfasts.”
Another of those pauses came.And Tean said, “It’s okay if it’s a lot.”He hesitated.“With your mom, I mean.”
Jem shrugged.“It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“She just lost her husband, Tean.She’s upset.What’s she supposed to do?Say, ‘Hey, my husband got killed for some mysterious reason, but I’d love to get to know you and your boyfriend while we watchReal Housewives?’”
Tean studied him.
“What?”Jem asked.
The flames were back in the lenses of Tean’s glasses, flickering, making his eyes difficult to read.“Iwas upset,” Tean finally said, the emphasis clear, “when she said that about Maeve and Milo.”
“Said what?”
“About raising independent children.”
Jem wiped his hands on his napkin.After a moment, he pushed his plate away.
Tean picked up his fork.He put it down again.He said, “What did you think about that?”
“I think they’re her kids.She can do what she wants.”
Tean nodded slowly.
“They’re fine,” Jem said.“You saw them.They’re little terrors—spying on everyone, eavesdropping, spilling secrets.”
“They call her Brigitte.”
“Lots of families do that.”
“She had no idea where they were.”
“We’re at a resort.There are kids all over the place.”
