The Tessa Randolph Collection, Books 1-3 by Paula Lester (best ereader for comics .txt) 📗

“It’s the least I could do.” She knew that was true, but she’d have to work it out with her bank account.

“Sounds good.” He grinned widely, nodded, and headed for the building.

Tessa rolled up the window and gave a little squeal. Then she thought about how dating and then breaking up with Frank had cost her a job. Maybe dating her landlord would risk her apartment? At the very least, she’d have to see him every day. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea.

But those thoughts only took a minute to fade away. She didn’t care. He was cute, and he wanted to take her out. It was time she enjoyed herself. After all, what would her dad think?

She sang all the way to the agency. It felt like her feet never touched the ground as she danced inside. She went directly to her mother’s office.

Cheryl glanced up from the computer and then raised her eyebrows. “Why so cheerful? Did the order for my demise come in?”

“Mom!”

Cheryl smirked at her grim joke.

Tessa shrugged and leaned on the door frame. “I don’t know. It’s a nice day.”

“Well, don’t get too excited. You have two assignments today. If you manage to get to them both on time—and not lose any souls—you can call it a nice day.” She went back to tapping on the keyboard.

Tessa entered the office, closing the door behind her. That earned her another questioning glance from her mother.

Tessa sat across the desk from her. “How often does it happen?”

“How often does what happen?” Cheryl’s fingers hovered over the keyboard.

“You know—someone taking another person’s place.”

Cheryl sighed and put her hands in her lap. She eyed the door. “Not often. It’s been known to happen by accident on occasion, but usually, it’s a decision made by the reaper on duty.”

“And it’s allowed?”

“It causes a lot of red tape. What you did yesterday will wind up being years of paperwork. That’s my job.”

“So, I shouldn’t have done it?”

A small smile flitted over Cheryl’s lips, but it disappeared as fast as it came. “I didn’t say that,” she said softly. “But Ricardo may wish you’d done something else. He’s probably going to spend a lot of time in jail.”

“Melinda was hopping mad. I’m sure she’ll press charges.” The casino boss had been in the golf club when everything went down. Everything was madness. An ambulance, fire trucks, and police officers had descended on the country club in short order.

When Tessa got back from escorting Maddox across the veil, she’d made sure Ricardo came clean on the whole thing with a threat of taking him next.

Both women chuckled.

“So, I get to keep my job?” Tessa tipped her head and studied her mother’s features.

“For now.” Cheryl nodded. “In fact, you’ve earned yourself a spot at the annual conference in Florida. You and Gloria can go together and share a hotel room.”

“Wait. There’s a reaper conference once a year? In Florida?”

“There is. And it’s not always in Florida. It’s usually somewhere tropical. Or Vegas.” Cheryl shuddered. “I’m not going to be able to get away for it this year. So, you and Gloria will represent our office.”

For some reason, the idea of a bunch of reapers sitting in a conference room watching PowerPoint slideshows made Tessa want to belly laugh. But the idea of an all-expenses-paid getaway was a welcome one.

“The company pays for this?” Tessa asked.

“We do.” Cheryl paused and squinted at Tessa. “And I’ll expect you both to behave and comport yourselves with dignity.” Her tone held a note of warning that Tessa was quite familiar with. She’d heard it every time she went out with her friends as a teenager.

“I’ll try.” She got up to leave and turned at the door. “I can’t speak for Gloria, though. She seems a little wild.” Tessa winked.

“Theresa.” Cheryl’s voice was soft and gentle. “One more thing.”

Tessa froze. Another one more thing. And this one didn’t sound as good as Silas’s offer. Something was strange about her mother’s tone of voice. Tessa didn’t dare make eye contact. Not even to correct her use of the long form of her name.

“I’m sorry about your dad,” Cheryl said. “I knew what he was going to do that day. He didn’t say it outright, but I knew. And I didn’t stop him. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Mom, it’s—"

“I should have stopped him.” Cheryl’s voice broke. “But . . . but I didn’t want to lose either of you. I wish I had my own Maddox.”

Tessa turned around slowly, seeing tears skid down her mother’s cheeks.

“Actually, I do know what I should have done. I shouldn’t have let him take your place. I should have done it. And I regret every day that I didn’t.” She wiped her cheek, chin quivering.

Feeling a wave of empathy, Tessa rushed forward. She knelt in front of Cheryl and squeezed her hand. “No, don’t say that, Mom. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Cheryl met Tessa’s gaze and smiled. Something released inside Tessa. She realized she’d been angry with her mother. Mad that she hadn’t somehow found a way to save Michael Randolph. But as she held her mom’s hand, she felt a wave of forgiveness. It wasn’t Cheryl’s fault.

With one last squeeze, Tessa stood. “I’d better go. I don’t want to be late for my assignment."

“Definitely not.” Cheryl hiccupped.

“Yeah. My boss is a real dragon lady.” She winked and left the office, her mother’s laugh following her out.

When Tessa got outside, she lowered the sunglasses from the top of her head to her face and turned toward the sun, feeling happy. It was almost the best season in Mist River, Michigan. Summer. She had a date with a cutie landlord. Her junker car was running great. And she had a new job she was good at. And not just a job that anyone could do, but a real career.

She smiled widely and looked to the sky, sending her dad a silent thank you. She was sure he had something to do with helping her