"God, you're a charmer this morning, aren't you?" Jo said dryly, making an effort to remove the "squinty-eyed look" from her face. "I don't remember you being this insulting when we first met."
Bricker grinned. "Yeah, but you're practically family now. At least you're Sam's family, and she's like family now."
"Great," Jo muttered, setting down her coffee to open the pills. When she struggled with the chore, Bricker plucked the bottle away and opened it for her, forcing her to mutter another "Thanks" as he shook out a couple of pills and handed them over. She picked up her coffee and swigged down some with the pills as Bricker resealed the bottle and put it away. She then glanced to the table to see Sam and Mortimer still watching her. Sam was biting her lip as if there was something she wanted to say, but Mortimer was looking a bit wary.
"Do you want some breakfast?" Sam asked finally.
Jo shook her head, and then winced at the pain the action sent shooting through her skull. She must have bruised her brain or something last night when she hit the wall, Jo thought with disgust, and wondered if you could bruise your brain. It certainly felt tender this morning.
"No... thanks," she said. "I'd really rather just head home."
"I'll get my keys," Sam said, getting up at once.
"Why bother?" Jo asked. "Why not just let the guys that are supposed to watch me take me home. They can watch me up close then."
A moment of silence passed as Sam glanced to Mortimer. He stared at Jo with narrowed eyes for a minute, but then shrugged and said to Sam, "It will save you a trip, and that way I'll not have to worry about you." Before Sam could comment, he glanced to Bricker and said, "Anders is in the garage fee-having a drink."
"I'll get him and one of the SUVs and pick you up out front," Bricker told Jo, and moved toward the door leading into the backyard.
"I'll get my bag," Jo said, and set down her cup with relief. She'd be out of there soon... and with her memory still intact as far as she could tell.
"Jo?" Sam said, standing to follow as she headed out of the kitchen.
Jo slowed, but didn't stop as she started up the hall toward the backpack she'd left by the front door. "Yeah?"
Sam scooted to catch up with her, taking her hand as she reached the front entry and drawing her to a halt.
Jo turned, her gaze sliding up the hall to see with relief that Mortimer hadn't followed. Shifting her gaze back to her sister, she raised her eyebrow.
Sam hesitated and then asked, "Are we all right?"
Jo raised her other eyebrow now. "Why wouldn't we be?"
Sam wrinkled her nose and sighed. "I know this is probably all weird and incomprehensible to you, and-to be frank-I'm amazed you aren't asking a ton of questions about what happened last night, and-"
"Would they be answered?" Jo interrupted quietly, and when Sam peered at her blankly, explained, "If I asked questions about last night, would they be answered?"
Sam bit her lip, but then dropped the uncertainty that was so odd coming from her and admitted bluntly, "No."
"That's what I thought," she said dryly. Besides, Jo suspected asking questions might lead to losing the memories she'd managed to regain. She wasn't sure why she thought that was so, but had decided to go with her instincts, keep her questions to herself, and get out of there.
"You always were practical," Sam said with a wry smile curving her lips.
Jo forced a smile in response and then said solemnly. "I am going to ask you one question though."
Wariness immediately crept over Sam's face. "What's that?"
"Are you happy?" Jo asked, and then raised her hand to stop her when Sam opened her mouth to answer at once. "Think about it. I mean it. Are you happy? It's all happened so fast. You've quit your position at the firm, moved in here with Mortimer, and started a whole new-and from what I can tell-very strange life. Are you sure it's what you want? Are you sure you won't regret any of this later? Is there any reason at all that I should be worried about you?"
Sam appeared to be seriously doing as Jo had requested and thinking about it. Then she let go of the breath she'd apparently been holding.
"I am very happy," Sam assured her solemnly. "It has all been very fast, but I am positive I won't regret any of the choices I've made. I love Mortimer and he really does love me, Jo. I know you don't understand a lot of what's happening, but-" Her words died abruptly as Jo hugged her. Her eyes were wide and questioning when Jo stepped back.
"That's all I wanted to hear," Jo assured her quietly. "It's enough. I won't ask questions you can't answer... for now," she added quietly.
Sam smiled crookedly and agreed, "For now."
"That's settled then," Jo said with feigned good cheer as she turned away to collect her backpack. She peered out the window at the driveway. Spotting the SUV pulling up, Jo gave Sam a smile as she opened the door. "Now I'm going home to bed. My head is killing me."