“Anything happens, call my cell.” Reid followed them to the door. “You have your key in case you need to get in, right?”
“Got it.”
Reid locked the door behind them and checked the clock.
“I need to get Jess off to bed,” he said to Megan, who’d wandered over to the fireplace. “I’ll be right back.” He went to the den. His daughter, nose buried in a book as usual, was curled in a large chair.
“Bedtime, Jess,” he said.
“Aw.” She held up a finger. “Just a few more minutes?” She tried this every night.
“Sorry. You need to stick to your schedule so you’re not tired out for Christmas.”
“Okay.” She placed her bookmark and stood. Reid wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and they strolled down the hallway.
“Want me to tuck you in?” he asked when they reached the stairs.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a little kid like Ella, Dad.”
He almost laughed as Ella was only two years younger. “Too big for a kiss and hug too?”
She groaned and wrapped her arms around him, then looked up for a kiss. He expected her to head straight upstairs, but she went over to Megan.
“It’s fun having you and Ella here,” Jessie said.
Megan’s fingers touched her parted lips. “Thank you.”
“Will you be here tomorrow night too?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Hope so.” Jessie suddenly seemed shy.
“Me too.” Megan reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Jessie’s ear. His daughter flashed a satisfied smile. She enjoyed the touch. She really missed a woman in the house. So did he.
Jessie gave Megan an awkward hug then charged up the stairs with Bandit trailing behind.
“Night, Dad,” she called on the way, a happiness in her tone that Reid hadn’t heard much the past few years.
Reid glanced at Megan. She still seemed surprised, but he saw a hint of the same desire for a family lingered in her expression. Or maybe she was simply longing for a healthy child who could race up the steps as Jessie had. Either way, this was not heading in the right direction, and he needed space to think.
“Make yourself at home,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” He took off for the den to retrieve his gun. Okay, maybe to get away from his thoughts too.
But as he unlocked the gun safe, his mind raced with possibilities. He seated an ammo clip and put the holster on his belt. He almost wished Fowler would come there tonight so they could put an end to his stalking before he and Jessie both became too fond of Megan and Ella.
But he really didn’t think Fowler knew where they were, and Megan could be staying here for several days before they apprehended Fowler. Not good for Jessie. Reid’s best bet was to have her stay with his parents in town for the duration so she didn’t become attached. Jessie loved her grandparents and it would be no hardship for her, but she would likely be mad at Reid as she wanted to stay with Megan and Ella. So what? He would always do what was best for Jessie, even if she got mad at him for it.
Resolved to call his mom tomorrow if needed, Reid closed the gun safe and hurried to the family room.
Megan gazed at a large family portrait hanging above the fireplace. He waited for her to acknowledge him, but she must not have seen him enter the room. He should clear his throat. Let her know he was there. Instead he enjoyed seeing the firelight skip over her face.
How odd it was to have Megan staring at Diane. That particular photo had been taken the Christmas before Diane got sick and was the last family picture of her looking vibrant and healthy.
An ache crept into his heart again. He shook it off and dug deep for the strength to clear his throat.
She turned to him, her expression puzzled. “How did you handle it?”
“Handle what?”
