The Daddy Pact

by Kristy K. James

  “Objection!” the red-faced prosecutor boomed once more.

  “Mrs. Mulholland, did you have anything to do with the death of Frank Bentley?”

  “Your Honor, I repeat, objection.”

  “Overruled. The witness will answer the question.”

  “No, I did not,” Jess whispered, wiping the tears from her face. “I loved Frank.”

  “So much so that you married the defendant’s brother what, four months after his death?”

  “That’s enough!” Bruce shouted, rising to his feet. “I’ve done enough to hurt her. Leave her alone.”

  “Order in the court!” The sound of the gavel striking the sound block echoed throughout the courtroom.

  “Excuse me, Your Honor.” The attorney turned toward Bruce, and there was a heated discussion before he again looked at the judge. “I have no further questions.”

  “You’re excused, Mrs. Mulholland.”

  Jess could barely step down from the witness stand because her legs were shaking. She saw that the only friendly faces were Cal, Darby, Sam, Jon, and not surprisingly, Nate, who smiled his encouragement. She also saw that Dan had come forward to meet her, trying to hide his outrage at the line the questioning had taken. Gratefully, she walked into his arms, and let him lead her out to the hallway, where she promptly started to sob.

  “Jess.” Dan was torn between wanting to get his wife safely home, and waiting until court let out so that he could beat the defense attorney to within an inch of his life.

  Ignoring the people walking by, he stroked her hair and murmured comforting words until she’d calmed down a bit.

  “Are you ready to go home now?” he asked softly.

  “Yes.”

  With child-like hope, Dan pulled into the parking lot of Westside Deli thinking brownies might help, but she barely managed a smile when he handed her the customary pizza box. Stupid, he thought, wanting to kick himself. Like this could make up for the ordeal she’d just been through.

  “How could he ask me that?” Jess asked, partway home.” I didn’t even meet you until months later.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” Dan was still stunned over the fiasco. “Maybe he thought the jury would go easier on Bruce if he got them wondering if you’d been involved.”

  “I could never have done that. Did your brother tell him to say that?”

  “No. Bruce made it clear that the fault was his, and no one believes you had any part in it. No one, Jess.”

  ~~~~~

  Jess didn’t argue when Dan insisted she go upstairs for a nap when they finally got home. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so exhausted, the strain of the day taking its toll on her. It was almost too much of an effort to climb the stairs to her room, and then step out of the simple navy dress she’d put on that morning. It felt like a lifetime ago.

  Wearing only her slip, she slid under the covers and got as comfortable as she could. The baby, however, didn’t seem the least bit tired, active as ever. It didn’t matter. Her eyelids were heavy, and she closed them, anticipating the sleep to come.

  Sweetheart? Had Dan actually spoken the endearment? It was the last thought she had before she slept.

  CHAPTER 10

  It was dark when Jess opened her eyes, and she wondered why Dan hadn’t woken her sooner. The clock on the dresser read ten of eight, and her stomach rumbled, reminding her it had been hours since her last meal. She quickly rid herself of the slip, and pulled on a pair of white sweats and a red flannel shirt. Lord, but she was starving. As she hurried down the stairs, she really hoped Dan had made supper.

  It didn’t dawn on her until she reached the last step that, except for a faint glow from the living room, the house was dark. Had he fallen asleep, too? The day hadn’t been easy for him either.

  Her step light, she tiptoed across the hall and was surprised to see him sitting on the sofa, a photo album in his lap, his face wet with tears. She must have made some slight noise because he looked up, and then she knew something was terribly wrong.

  “Dan, what is it?”

  “Bruce is dead,” he said thickly.

  “What?”

  “He hung himself when he got back to the jail this afternoon,” came the whispered response. It nearly broke her heart when Dan clenched his jaws hard to keep from crying out loud, and she hurried to him and sat down, wrapping her arms around him.

  “I am so sorry.” She felt him trembling, and held him tighter.

  “You don’t have to lie.”

  “I’m not,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry for you and your family. I know you loved him, and I know what it’s like to lose someone you love.”

  He broke down then, and Jess felt helpless. She wished there was something she could do to ease his pain, but knew firsthand that no words would make it easier to bear. “It’s all right. Let it out.”

  “I should have gone to see him.”

  “You didn’t know, Dan.”

  “But he looked so bad in court today.”

  “Shh. You aren’t to blame.”

  “Bruce used to be such a good kid.”

  “I’m sure he was.”

  “I should have tried to help him more.”

  “You said you tried for years, but he refused,” she reminded him gently. Whoever would have thought she’d be comforting someone because Bruce Mulholland died?

  “I should have tried harder.”

  “Dan, you can’t help someone if he won’t let you. You did everything you could.”

  “I wish I could believe that.”

  He held onto her like a lifeline while he cried, remembering his childhood, and how close he and Bruce had once been. He told her about a fishing trip, taken when they were small. About Bruce’s revulsion toward worms, and how funny it had been because, after that, he’d found he could scare his brother into anything by simply threatening him with one of the spongy creatures.

  “I was so mean to him.”

  “You were a boy. That’s what boys do.” The phone rang, like it always seemed to do in a crisis.

  “Would you get that please?”

  “Whoever it is can call back if it’s important.” She didn’t want to leave him.

  “It might be my dad.”

  “I didn’t think- I’m sorry. Will you be all right?”

  “Yeah.”

  Reluctantly, she let him go and jogged to the kitchen, praying it wasn’t Monica. It was Emma.

  “Jess, I just heard. Is it true?”

  “Yes, but I can’t talk now. Dan is taking it hard, and I want to get back to him.”

  “How are you? I heard things were rough in court today.”

  “I’m fine.” Amazingly enough, she’d forgotten all about it. “But I need to get back to Dan,” she repeated, thinking of him all alone. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Tell him we’re sorry.”

  “I will.” She hung up without even saying good-bye, and started to hurry back to her husband when the phone rang yet again. Ed this time, wanting to know if there was anything he or the guys could do. Jess thanked him, and promised to call if she could think of anything, but she just wanted to get back to Dan.

  In the short time she’d been gone he’d managed to pull himself together a little, still she went to sit beside him. “That was Emma, and then Ed, calling to give you their condolences.” It was partly the truth anyway.

  “They’re nice people,” he said absently.

  “Dan, is there anything I can do?”

  “Yes. Can I hold you for a while?”

  “I’m all yours.” She settled against him, as he put his arms around her. This might offer some comfort, but she knew he needed to talk. “What was it like when you and Bruce were growing up?” She felt him kiss her hair.

  “I’m sure the last thing you want to hear about is my brother, even when he was a nice kid.”

  “I don’t mind. I’d like to know.” Darn it. Her stomach rumbled so loud Dan even heard it, and he
chuckled.

  “I think we should probably feed you instead.”

  “It can wait.” She’d never gotten this hungry before her pregnancy.

  “I don’t think so.” He got up and heaved her to her feet. “It’ll have to be soup and sandwiches, I’m afraid. I didn’t have a chance to make supper.”

  “I’d settle for those brownies you bought.”

  “Something nutritious first, I think. We have a baby to consider here, and he or she might not love brownies as much as my wife does.”

  Dan did talk while they ate fried egg sandwiches and tomato soup. He actually did more talking than eating, and Jess was worried, even as she wolfed down her food, following it with two brownies and a huge glass of milk. He talked late into the night, reminiscing about a time, long ago, when he and Bruce were as close as brothers could be.

  ~~~~~

  The knock sounded on the door bright and early the next morning. Jess hadn’t even crawled out of bed yet, though she’d been awake and listening for Dan for quite some time. She quickly donned her robe and hurried to the stairs, where she saw Dan in a serious conversation with Ed. They glanced up to where she stood, and their expressions had her clutching the railing.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked reluctantly.

  “Maybe you should get dressed while I make breakfast,” Dan suggested. She noted that he was fully dressed – in the same clothes he’d worn the day before. Obviously he hadn’t been to bed yet.

  “We’ll talk in a few minutes,” Ed said gently. “Get on and get dressed, Jess. I’ll help your husband.”

  Feeling as though she might be sick, Jess hurried back to her room, and pulled on a pair of black stretch pants and a soft pink sweater and socks. It was only minutes before she joined the men in the kitchen, where Dan was preparing oatmeal and toast. Ed sat at the counter looking nervous. Jess walked over to butter the toast that had popped up as she came in, hoping the simple task would calm her thoughts.

  “Are you joining us, Ed?” she asked, trying to smile.

  “I’ve already eaten thanks. You two go ahead.”

  The silence reminded her of the small room where they had waited the day before. Too loud. Dan seemed to move mechanically, his face lined with strain, his eyes haunted. Jess longed to wrap her arms around him, offer any comfort he would accept from her, but remained at the toaster, waiting for the rest to finish.

  “So what brings you calling so early?” she finally asked, sitting two saucers of perfectly browned toast on the table.

  “We’ll talk after you two have eaten,” Ed said evasively. Jess sat on the stool next to him.

  “Why don’t we talk now?” She saw him look at Dan helplessly, who shrugged and then walked to stand behind her.

  “Might as well get it over with,” he said, laying his hands on her shoulders. Ed cleared his throat. And then he cleared it again.

  “I-uh-”

  “Jess,” Dan said, letting his friend off the hook. “Ed is here to take us to the Lansing Police Department.”

  “Why?” Her voice barely above a whisper, she knew the answer wasn’t going to be anything she wanted to hear.

  “His boss wants to talk to us.” Jess closed her eyes tightly.

  “Because of what Bruce’s attorney said yesterday?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Nothing will come of it,” Ed assured her vehemently. “I believe that information came from Phillip Bentley, and Bruce never – never –implicated you. Not in any way.”

  “I didn’t have anything to do with it,” Jess whispered.

  “We know, sweetheart. This is nothing but a formality, and it will all be over in a couple of hours. I promise.”

  ~~~~~

  While the ordeal at the police station was over in a very few hours, Dan and Jess did make the front page, leading some people to believe they had indeed been involved in some way in Frank’s murder. Surprisingly, Dan was actually more upset about it than Jess, who didn’t really care about public opinion.

  All she cared about was him, and she made it her mission to take care of him, as much as he would let her, in the days leading up to the funeral. She took over answering the telephone, dealing with the press –who somehow managed to get their home number. They kept calling, wanting to get their side of the story. She also dealt with the many condolence cards that poured in, and even made sure he ate a decent supper every night.

  So as sad as he was to be facing the funeral of his only brother, Dan was also filled with a burgeoning hope. Jess was acting like a real, honest to goodness wife.

  ~~~~~

  “Jess, I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Dan told her when she insisted on accompanying him to the funeral. They were sitting at the table eating supper when she brought the subject up.

  “I want to be with you,” she said, biting into a forkful of mashed potatoes. Darby had dropped by earlier with a complete Swiss steak dinner. Holly had come the day before with meatloaf and mashed potatoes. And even now a pan of Emma’s lasagna waited in the refrigerator for their supper tomorrow.

  “My mother and sister will be there. Do you really want to risk it?”

  “I can take it. I’m tough.” For the first time in two days he really laughed.

  “Like a crème puff.”

  “You’d be surprised.” He might not realize it yet, but when push came to shove, she could deal with most anything.

  “Jess, they’ve hurt you before. I don’t want it to happen again.” Even now he was thinking about her welfare, when he should have been thinking about his own, and she just wanted to hug him.

  “Dan, you’ve been there for me through so many things. I want to be here for you now. But only if you think it would help.”

  “It would help a lot,” he said quietly, his eyes soft as he looked at her. “But it’s not worth it, Jess. They were nasty before. God only knows what they might do now.” She reached across the table and stroked his cheek.

  “Would you let me do some worrying for a change? I’ll drive the Jeep, and if it gets too rough and I can’t handle it, I’ll come home. Okay?”

  “Okay.” He gave in with without protest, surprising her. “But you’ll ride with me. Just like last time. If you’re not welcome, neither am I.”

  “This is a little different.”

  “How so?”

  “It’s your brother’s funeral, Dan, not a social affair. I’ll drive myself.”

  ~~~~~

  After the funeral, uneventful except for Molly asking Jess if she were happy now, the winter passed swiftly. March arrived like a lamb, and with it, nursery preparations began in earnest. Dan and his buddies threw themselves wholeheartedly into the decorating, coming up with extravagant ideas Jess never would have considered.

  They wired the entire house with an elaborate monitor system so that, no matter where they were, they would hear the baby. They’d even put speakers on the deck, and in the garage.

  The walls now sported Winnie the Pooh murals, hand-painted in brilliant colors by a local artist, and countless toys and stuffed animals, complimenting the theme, were scattered everywhere. Jess feared this child might wind up just the tiniest bit spoiled, if Dan had any say in the matter.

  “Jess, we’re signed up to start the childbirth classes this Thursday,” Dan announced, calling her from work on Monday. He sounded so excited, she had to smile. He’d been thrilled to find one starting so soon, and couldn’t wait until he got home from work to let her know there were still a couple of openings. “It’s twice a week for three weeks. That gives us more than enough time to practice before the baby comes. Isn’t that great?”

  “It sure is,” Jess agreed, smiling at his enthusiasm. “You’re sure you want to be my coach?

  “Absolutely.”

  “Think about it” she insisted, still grinning. “I understand it can get a little – um – gross.”

  “Nothing I’ve read about the entire process is gross. I guess you’re lucky one of us has a
strong stomach, eh?” he said, completely serious. Jess laughed. “What’s so funny?”

  “You.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Just because.”

  “Well, you’re funny, too, little mom.” Jess rolled her eyes and grimaced.

  “Not so little anymore.” She reached down and patted the huge bump that was now her stomach.

  “That’s what happens when you’re pregnant. It goes with the territory.”

  “Maybe. But I shudder to think what I’ll look like in April. Just paint ‘Goodyear’ on all of my tops.”

  “Poor Jess,” he teased. “All of these complaints over one small baby.”

  “Small baby? Try gigantic baby.”

  “Maybe it’s twins.”

  “You hush. Get back to work.”

  “Yes, ma’am. First tell me, ungrateful wench, is there anything I should pick up on my way home?”

  “Maybe peppers, if you want them in your salad.” They’d run out, and she knew he favored them.

  “Peppers. Nothing else? No brownies?”

  “Dan, you know the doctor said I’ve got to watch what I eat. If I gain any more weight, he’s going to put me on a strict diet.”

  “Well, I personally think your doctor is nuts. You could gain twenty more pounds, and still look great. I think we should look for a new doctor. One of the ones who think it’s all right to gain thirty-five or forty pounds. It would be better than having a doctor who’s trying to starve my wife.” Jess sighed loudly.

  “Just the peppers, please. Bye, Dan.” Jess grinned as she hung the phone up. If Dan didn’t stop tempting her with all her favorite foods, she really would be shopping at the Goodyear Blimp store.

  While she rolled out dough for noodles to put in homemade stroganoff, she had to smile again. Dan could quote, almost word for word, from any number of prenatal books. Sometimes she wondered if he knew more about her pregnancy than she did. He was something else.

  He still read to the baby daily, a practice that had been interrupted for about a week when Bruce died. Now he’d added poetry. Gentle rhymes. She wondered if he did it, hoping they might help produce a child who possessed a gentle nature, opposite the way his brother had been.

  If she needed evidence that Dan would make a wonderful father, this this was one of the many ways he showed it. She had to wonder if Frank would have done as much. As much as he’d loved her, she’d never felt as pampered as Dan made her feel. He’d become such a big part of her life, she didn’t know what she’d do when the time came to dissolve the marriage.