“I wish I knew,” Cole said. “When Heather and I got married, it was a different world. There were bad things, but not like this. People could afford to buy houses or pay rent.” He shook his head. “Greed has taken over.”
“That, and corporate rule,” John added with a sigh. “It’s a shame.”
“We vote people into office, but there’s so much corruption,” Josie said.
“Even people with the best intentions get turned once they’re in DC,” John agreed.
Josie looked at Cole and Heather. “You’re going to foster him?” she asked with a warm smile.
“Going to adopt him, I think,” Heather said softly, glancing at Cole, who smiled and nodded. “I have a terrible case of empty-nest syndrome, even though John is still in residence. One day inevitably he’ll get married and move out and I’ll go crazy. JJ will save me.”
John grinned. “And Dad will have somebody to grumble at besides me,” he chuckled.
Cole just laughed.
Josie smiled. “I’m glad that JJ will have a real home,” she said quietly. “It was kind of you. I’ve seen a few good foster homes, but the majority are overcrowded and the foster parents overwhelmed. It can lead to tragedy.”
“It can,” Heather agreed.
“He’s a good boy. He has a big heart,” she added. “He’ll make you proud.”
“I know he will,” Cole said and smiled at her.
“Well, if you don’t mind driving me to Percell, I have to get back to my room.”
“Oh?” John asked. “Expecting visitors, are you?”
“Only the sheriff,” she said with quiet venom.
“Plenty of guest rooms,” Cole mentioned. “And if you leave tonight, JJ will be upset in the morning. Just a thought.”
“We’re pretty much the same size,” Heather added. “I can loan you a gown. John can drive you back in the morning.”
She looked at John, whose expression made her accept. “Then thanks,” she told Heather with a smile. “I’ll stay. Uh, the cage really is padlocked, right?”
John got to his feet, smoldering. “I’ll go put damned superglue on the lid right now,” he muttered, and stomped off toward his room.
“Oh, dear,” Heather groaned.
“Doesn’t he remind you of me at that age?” Cole teased Heather.
“Oh, very definitely,” she said, and chuckled.
“I didn’t mean to set him off...” Josie apologized.
“Don’t worry, it’s just the way he is,” Heather said.
“He won’t mind JJ...?”
Heather put an arm around her. “He loves children. He works with disadvantaged kids in a program in Big Spur. It isn’t JJ that’s bothering him.” She gave Josie a long look. “You really are familiar. I know I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Josie’s pulse jumped but she just smiled. “I must have a doppelganger,” she teased.
“Could be, could be. Come on. I’ll get you a gown.”
They were walking past John’s bedroom when the door opened. He held up a tube. “Superglued it!” he said with a vicious glare at Josie.
“John!” she and Heather exclaimed.
