The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,54
Reed led the way to the expansive back porch where he’d left a tall Coleman thermos.
“Actually, it went great. Until my dad offered Kat money.” Jack flopped onto the top step, watching Fitz dig a sizable hole in the middle of the backyard.
“What? Why would he do that?” Reed poured hot chocolate into a plastic cup and handed it to Jack.
“To tick me off, no doubt.”
“I’m sorry, man.” Using the thermos lid as his own cup, Reed settled a few steps down. “How does Kat feel about it?”
“To be honest, I was so caught up in my own stuff, I haven’t asked her.”
Reed nodded, contemplating Jack’s admission as he took a sip.
“It’s strange,” Jack continued thoughtfully. “It’s like my anger toward my dad blinds me from everything else. I don’t know why I let him affect me like that.”
“I get it. When I found out about my dad’s affair, I didn’t speak to him for almost two years. We’ve only barely started to patch things up.”
“What made you want to try?”
Reed stared into his hot chocolate a moment before answering. “For a while, I thought my anger was some form of justice for what he’d done. But it turns out, I wasn’t just punishing my dad. My whole family suffered.”
Jack thought about all the times Lucy had begged him to work things out with their dad. And last night, he’d been reminded of how much he missed everyone—how much he needed them in his life.
“What’s it like between you and your father now?” Remembering the hot chocolate in his hand, Jack took a sip. While delicious, it lacked a certain hint of spice he’d become accustomed to.
“Not great, but it’s better than it was. It’ll take time to rebuild what was broken. But we’re working on it.”
“I’m glad. You’re a better man than I am.”
Reed flashed a teasing grin. “I’ve been saying that for years.”
“Ha!” Jack snorted. “Just for that, I’m not going to tell you that Fitz is digging a crater-sized hole in the backyard.”
Startled, Reed followed Jack’s gaze, shaking his head in bemusement. “I guess I know where I’m planting the cherry tree.”
They shared a chuckle before Reed offered, “You can leave Fitz here with me while you’re gone.”
“Gone where?”
“Well, the way I see it, there are two conversations you need to have. One with Kat. And one with your dad.”
Chapter 27
Kat crumpled the damp tissue in her lap as Penny handed her a steaming cup of chamomile tea before sitting on the bed beside her.
“I’m so sorry,” Kat murmured. “I feel terrible for wasting your time.”
“Don’t be silly. I loved spending time with you. And the treasure hunt made my dad feel close by again. Truthfully, I think he’d be glad we got to solve it together.”
Although her eyes were red and raw, Kat sensed the onset of more tears. She quickly sipped her tea, allowing the warm honey-sweetened liquid to soothe her swollen throat.
“But there is something I don’t understand,” Penny added, her brow furrowed. “Why didn’t Helena tell you the brooch wasn’t worth anything when you asked her if you could sell it?”
Nausea swept over Kat, and with trembling hands, she set the china teacup on the nightstand. She’d known this moment would arise eventually. But the inevitability didn’t make it any less terrifying.
“I… haven’t been completely honest with you,” Kat confessed, her tone faint and tentative.
“What do you mean?”
“Helena didn’t tell me because I technically didn’t ask for her permission.”
Penny raised her eyebrows in confusion, and Kat took a deep breath, trying to steady her frantic heartbeat.
She’d thought waiting to tell Penny would make it easier, but it had only made it a thousand times harder. She’d come to care deeply for the woman beside her. Not only did she hate the thought of causing her pain, she feared losing her trust.
Or worse… losing her altogether.
“I’m so sorry I’ve kept this from you. There’s no excuse. I—” Kat faltered as her throat constricted around the words. Forcing herself to continue, she swallowed. “Helena passed away several years ago. And I’m so unbelievably sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
For close to an eternity, Penny didn’t speak. She didn’t move. Or even seem to be breathing. Finally, she whispered, “How?”
“How?” Kat repeated, not sure what she meant.
“How did she die?” Penny’s voice sounded far away, and her eyes glazed over, full of pain.
Unable to bear it, Kat dropped her gaze to her lap, picking at the frayed fringe of her scarf. “It was… an overdose.”
Penny sucked