Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(107)

When Josie relaxed, Gabi motioned to Linda.

Linda nodded. “Uzuri called me, because she knows I survived raising two children. They’re in college now.”

Josie grinned at the wry way she’d said “survived.”

“When Sam and I first got together, my kids discovered I was seeing a sadist…because they showed up early one morning at my house. And then they threw one huge shouting tantrum in front of Sam.”

Josie’s mouth dropped open. “Oh. My. God. What did you do?”

“I was so mad that I kicked them all out. Including Sam since he really shouldn’t have taken it upon himself to answer my door.” Linda smiled. “And yet he went on to straighten everything out, although I’m not sure my children have ever recovered from his blunt honesty.”

Josie almost cringed. Holt could be awfully direct, too.

“Now, let’s look at your problems.” Linda held up one finger. “First, you have your son’s possible involvement in arson.”

Josie stiffened for a second before she slumped. “I know what you’re going to say. Yes, he’s an honest kid and has always owned up to his mistakes, but saying ‘I didn’t do it’ isn’t the same as ‘I wasn’t there” or ‘I don’t know anything about it.’”

Linda smiled in sympathy. “The thought of our babies doing something sketchy is painful, isn’t it? But if you were positive he wasn’t involved at all, you wouldn’t be stewing.”

“He was involved in some way or another,” Josie said grimly. “He was too angry—and defensive. He’s hiding something.”

“Which means you have to pin him down and get answers. If you start with the fact that you know he’s involved…sometimes that works.” Linda huffed a laugh. “I’m pretty sure children never outgrow the belief that Mom is all-knowing.”

Gabi’s mouth twisted. “I think only good mothers know everything. Mine never had a clue.”

Josie reached over to squeeze the redhead’s hand. If she ever met the woman who put that sad expression on Gabi’s face, she’d rip her apart.

Gabi squeezed back.

Turning back to Linda, Josie straightened her shoulders. “Okay. One long, undoubtedly unhappy discussion with Carson coming up.”

“Two discussions, I’m afraid. Not at the same time, of course.” Linda gave her a wry smile. “Sometime soon, he needs to hear that you need other grownups in your life, including men. If you didn’t date anyone until Holt, Carson’s acceptance might take a while.”

“I actually did try to have that talk with him. He totally shut down.” Her heart ached. Her poor baby was so unhappy. “His father didn’t want him—ever—and I don’t want Carson to worry he could lose my love. But I guess I went overboard in tiptoeing around his sensibilities. He’s old enough to understand I might want a male companion.”

Zuri nodded. “Carson has a good heart. It’ll take him a while, but he’ll get it.”

“That’s it from me.” Linda glanced at Gabi. “Your turn.”

“You did good.” Gabi grinned and turned to Josie. “My credentials don’t include parenting, but I’m a social worker, and I do a lot of family counseling.”

Josie bit her lip. “Okay.”

“To begin, I’m rather surprised Holt hasn’t tried to corner you again for a discussion.”

“He hasn’t.” She’d told him they were done, and he wouldn’t fight it. She’d sure proven to be more of a problem than an asset. At the chill emanating from deep inside her, Josie wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m sure he has better things to do.”

“I didn’t see his car at the duplex,” Zuri said. “Isn’t this his day to work at the hospital?”

Josie nodded. “7 am to 7 pm. He’d normally have returned before we left. He’s staying away.” Because he doesn’t want to see me. Knowing that…hurt.

“Maybe or maybe not,” Gabi said gently. “There are some questions I want you to think about before you two talk.”

“He won’t want to talk with me.” Why didn’t the woman get it?

“You two looked pretty tight at the pet adoption.”

“And at the Saturnalia, too,” Zuri said. “I’d say the man seemed to be heading straight into love.”

The word, the dreadful four-letter “L” word slammed into Josie, stealing her breath.

“There it is,” Linda murmured. “You love him. Does he love you?”

Josie’s throat hurt as she fought back tears. “He said he did, but—”

“He did! I’m so stoked!” Zuri bounced on the couch.

“It was just in the heat of the moment.” And a few other times, but—

“Oh, no, girlfriend.” Zuri shook her head. “Holt’s really careful about communicating with the women he dates. He tells them up front he only dates casually and isn’t interested in a relationship. He wouldn’t say he loved you if he didn’t mean it.”

Oh. There was no way she should be feeling joy. Not now. They weren’t together. But to hear Uzuri say that Holt meant it? Yes, she totally felt joy.