“I don’t know either. I was up half the night reading about kidney transplants. Things that can go wrong during the surgery. Things that can go wrong years down the road. I love you, Cole. Maybe not enough to catch a bullet for you, but I love you allthe same. Our kids love you. So do my parents, your brother, our friends. We need you here with us. If you want to call me selfish, then so be it.” Cassie folded her hands in her lap, her eyes on Cole.
“Let me say that the two of you might not be Corny’s only option. Another match could be found through the registry. Maybe someone won’t mind donating a kidney to a former alcoholic with a criminal record.” Fitzgibbon paused. “According to what the doc told me, he could survive for up to a year on dialysis. That’s time enough for another match to be found.”
“Or not,” Carson said. “Meaning that his little girl would lose her father at only a few months old.”
“Tru, where do you stand on Carson donating to his father?” Fitzgibbon asked.
Truman frowned, looking deep in thought. “If he did it, I’d stand behind him. It would mean no more wine and eating better. No more middle-of-the-night nibbles.”
Carson snorted. “It’s the only time of day I can eat my Snickers without the kids begging for some or watching to see where my hiding place is.”
“In a bag of frozen veggies in the freezer,” Ten said with a laugh. “Ronan stole your idea for his precious peanut butter cups.”
“It’s something I need more time to think about.” Carson shot Ronan a look that said he was doing the best he could.
“Me too,” Cole agreed.
“Just remember there are a lot of steps between today and a future date in the operating room. You need to get bloodwork done to make sure you’re each a match. The hospital won’t take the word of a first-grade psychic.” Fitzgibbon raised an eyebrowat Ronan. “Then you’ll need full checkups and all that jazz. You don’t have to decide on the fly like this.”
“I agree to have the tests.” Carson sighed as if he already regretted his decision.
“Me too.” Cole reached for Cassie’s hand. “The least I can do is have all the facts at hand to make a final decision.”
“I have a question,” Cassie said, turning to Fitzgibbon. “What you and Jace are doing for Corny and Destiny is really amazing, but what happens when Corny gets his shiny new kidney and that baby is born? Your cash is keeping them on the straight and narrow for now, but when they’ve gotten everything they need, what then? How the hell do I console my husband for being taken for a fool and over losing a vital organ, but also his father and baby sister?”
“That’s an answer I don’t have, Cass, but what I can tell you is that every second from now on is an opportunity to build a relationship with Corny. Maybe you’ll find common ground. Maybe he’ll surprise you. I can tell you he asked Ten if he could see pics of your kids, as well as Carson’s.”
“I said no, that I’d need your permission to show him any pictures,” Ten said quickly.
“Thanks, Ten,” Carson and Cole said together.
“It could be that your kids are that common ground. If you want to meet with Corny and Destiny, let me know, and I’ll set it up. I know Jace is going to start organizing doctors’ appointments for both of them, as well as getting them into their own place to live. If anyone has a spare crib or an infant car seat lying around, I’m sure they’d appreciate them. Cute girl clothes too.” Ten grinned.
“It’s a lot to think about. We’ll let you know.” Carson raked his hands through his blond hair. “Thanks for all you’re doing. Jace too. Please tell him we said that.”
“You got it.” Fitzgibbon shook Carson and Cole’s hands and was out the door. Ronan and Ten were right behind them.
Ronan had managed to make it through a day where he’d consoled a grieving father and helped to give an ex-con a second chance to be a family man, but his work wasn’t done yet. He still had to talk to his pint-sized psychic about Sebastian Stark.
A father’s work was never done.
14
Tennyson
While Ronan helped Everly with her bath, Tennyson got ready to talk to her about Sebastian Stark. Ten hated asking his daughter to use her gifts to help in a case like this one, where a child died, but where Ronan and the others were meeting with Simon Westlake the next afternoon, they needed any leg up they could get. If Everly could speak with Bash, it would be mission accomplished in that category.
Ten turned on the electric kettle and got out mugs and peppermint tea bags. Next, he grabbed some of the chocolate chip cookies Jude had sent home with Everly and set them on a plate. Just as Ten was pouring the hot water into the mugs, Everly and Ronan appeared in the kitchen.
“Hey, Daddy! You read my mind. I was hoping for tea.” Everly took her usual seat at the kitchen table and reached for a cookie. “Mmm, ooey and gooey! Uncle Jude’s recipe is so good.”
Adding an ice cube to Everly’s mug, he brought it to the table along with his own. Ronan joined them after getting himself some ginger ale. “How were the tacos at Uncle Jude’s?”
“Really good! There was chicken and beef to choose from, and we got to help shred the cheese. I also tried sour cream because Uncle Jude said it was delish with tacos, and he was right! How come you never give me sour cream?” Everly folded her arms over her chest like she was angry.
“I don’t know,” Ronan said, making a sad face. “I’ve failed as a father.” He began to weep loudly on Ten’s shoulder. “Is she buying it?” he whispered.
“Not in a million years.” Ten shoved Ronan away from him. “The reason we’re having this meeting is because we need your help.”
