Page 48 of Keeping Collette

Cass nodded, and Irish kissed her cheek before they both sat down, Cass’s hand firmly within her husband’s grasp.

What was going on?

Was Cass sick? Had the headaches she’d gotten when her suppressed memories had surfaced come back? Only this time there was something more sinister at play?

“Something going on with you two?” Ox asked, although a soft smile played across his lips as if he knew a secret that the others didn’t.

Irish and Cass shared another look before her own lips stretched in a wide grin, the remnants of tears still sparkled in her eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

Deal, along with the rest of the team, all got up and hugged Cass, while slapping Irish on the back. The normally serious former Delta had a huge grin on his face. “Congrats man,” Deal said.

“Thanks. And I know it’s not the ideal time to say something, given everything that’s going on, but…” Irish shrugged, and Deal nodded.

“I get it. I was a little worried when she got all teary. That’s so un-Casslike.”

“Yeah, everything’s a little off kilter with her at the moment.”

Deal deciphered the hidden message: Cass had a lot on her mind, so something that would be automatic for her had slipped through—like the information she’d found on Courtney’s phone.

“Congratulations, Irish and Cass, that’s great news.”

Deal whirled around when he’d heard Collette’s well wishes during a lull in the excitement that had fallen over them.

He strode over to where she stood in the doorway, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. The need to comfort her overtook him, and he hauled her against his chest. A shudder rippled through her a second before her arms clutched him around his waist.

Deal was aware of everyone behind him, but his focus was on the woman in his arms. To give her the comfort that she clearly needed.

After a few seconds he leaned down and spoke softly. “What can I do?”

A sense of helplessness volleyed inside him. Usually there were numerous plans in place to handle situations, but that was when he’d been on missions. When it came to relationships, he was running blind. He’d never given finding a life partner a lot of thought. He’d seen the people he worked with fall deeply in love. Heck, one of his best friends, Jag, had just found the love of his life. He’d even given him a hard time about it, saying that he was happy being single.

But holding this woman in his arms, he understood what Jag and the others had talked about. He wasn’t in love with Collette, it was way too soon for that, but he was halfway there, and he cared for her. When she hurt, he hurt. When she laughed, he laughed. Everything settled within him when he was with her.

He wanted to be the support she needed. He wanted to help her through everything that was happening around her sister.

“You’re doing it,” she eventually answered his question.

He pressed his lips on the top of her head before pulling back. “Do you want to go? I can take you home if you like?”

Collette shook her head. “No, there’s still so much to do. I know I can’t do a lot, but maybe there is something I’m capable of can do.” She pointed to the files. “With those. Help somehow.”

“Okay, I’m sure Cass would appreciate it.” He led her back to the table, and no one said a word, which he was grateful for. Not that he thought his work colleagues would say anything. If anyone understood the overwhelming emotions felt when the world they inhibited was tilted, it was everyone sitting around the boardroom.

Cass cleared her throat. “Collette, I want to explain a little more why I kept things from you.”

“You don’t have to,” Collette protested.

“I do. Normally, I can keep myself distanced from what’s going on. I don’t mean that in a way that I don’t care, I do. I just keep it locked in. But,” she smiled ruefully. “My emotions are going a little haywire at the moment, and things that normally don’t affect me, are. I’m making decisions in a way I don’t normally.”

“Cass, you don’t have to say anything else. I totally understand. I admit I was a little annoyed you didn’t tell me sooner, but you were also thinking about me. About what I was going through. I’d just found out my sister had died, and then if you’d told me about the messages, I’m not sure what I would’ve done. Or how I would’ve coped.” She sighed. “As it was, I didn’t handle it too well.”

“I think we can safely say that decisions were made to protect others. At the end of the day, we’re where we are now, and let’s move forward,” Ox stated.

There was nothing angry or over-bearing with how he spoke, or what he said, but everyone in the room got the message. Deal appreciated his boss even more. Ox was always level headed, and that was what made him a good leader. And why everyone respected him the way they did.

“I’m here and I want to help,” Collette declared. “I could look through the files of the missing people. Or tick names off lists.”

“I’ll find you something,” Cass said, as if knowing that Collette needed to be productive in the search for her sister’s killer.