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

Tessa’s back straightened. Had Cheryl said we? “Wait, do you have—"

Cheryl interrupted. “You did well in Florida, dear. It’s time to get back to work now that we’re home. Check your app—you have an assignment in thirty minutes.”

“But . . .”

Cheryl waved a hand. “I have another conference call to attend. There’s a lot to do to make up for losing a district manager—and a task force member. I’m sure I don’t have time for any more small talk.” She clicked at the keyboard, clearly having dismissed her daughter.

Tessa felt a wave of frustration. It seemed like, no matter how much she tried to get Cheryl to open up to her—to share things so they could be closer—her mother just closed off more. She longed for a better relationship. She longed for her mother to trust her. Which reminded her. “Mom, why didn’t I get one of the black cards?”

“Ooooh.” Cheryl sighed. “Right.” She jotted something on a notepad. “I have to send in those expense reports. Yet another thing I have to get done today. Punishment for taking a day off.”

“Mom.” Tessa glared.

Cheryl leaned back in her seat and did a sort of twirling motion with her hand. “Theresa, I did give you a card. It’s in an envelope on your desk. You must’ve missed seeing it before you left.”

Tessa was confident her mother was not telling the truth. Or the envelope had been misplaced. But she couldn’t argue until she’d done a thorough check.

She remembered what Bryce Hanson had told her. He’d said Tessa couldn’t change her mother. The only thing Tessa could control was what kind of daughter she was and hope that, by doing so, it changed their relationship.

Maybe he was right.

On a whim, Tessa crossed the room and leaned over to wrap her mother in a tight hug. “Thanks for everything, Mom. When you have time, I’d love to pick your brain about ways to manage the power of the scythe. You know, responsibly.”

Cheryl stiffened for half a second and then relaxed with a small puff of air. She patted Tessa’s arm and smiled. “I’d like that, dear. Why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow? I’ll make roast chicken.”

Tessa left the office smiling. Though she almost couldn’t stand not knowing what secret Mr. Blade had bestowed upon Cheryl, it felt like she’d made some headway in their relationship. Maybe they could build on that. Get closer. Be better.

And, of course, her mother was right. There, plainly visible on her desk, was an envelope containing the black card. Tessa could’ve sworn it hadn’t been lying there when she’d got in that morning.

She sighed. She wouldn’t push Cheryl. Instead, she’d do her best to be open and loving from her end. Maybe that would change the way they danced together.

In the parking lot, Tessa stopped to look up at the sky. She smiled and sent a silent thank you to Mr. Hanson. Wherever he was.

BY THE TIME SHE GOT back to Mist River Manor, Tessa’s thoughts had shifted from Cheryl to Silas. She’d only seen him once since they got home the day before, and that was quick, as Silas had been heading to Mrs. Cross’ apartment to fix a drippy faucet. And Tessa had been heading home to spend some quality time with Pepper.

Abi hadn’t been able to get away from the tortie fast enough. Both Abi and Pepper had been disgruntled with Tessa, and she had some making up to do.

Abi was easy—she loved her gifts of a shirt, some fancy chocolate, and a huge bottle of moderately priced white wine. But the cat was harder. Pepper held a tougher grudge. Tessa was bound to be stuck holding the cat on her lap for many evenings to come—and probably springing for a few cans of fancy cat food—before Pepper thawed and forgave her.

And it had been fine with Tessa that there hadn’t been an opportunity to talk much with Silas since they’d returned. She hadn’t felt ready to face him and deal with all the unanswered questions between them.

But she knew it wasn’t possible to avoid it forever. They saw each other daily. They couldn’t go on like nothing had happened in Miami. Like they hadn’t gotten closer.

Like Silas hadn’t kissed her.

That kiss! Just the thought of it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

Tessa couldn’t help worrying. Silas was smart and observant. He already knew something was off—Tessa thought he’d caught on to it from virtually her first day as a reaper. She couldn’t see how there was any way of keeping him in the dark about her job for very long if they were actually dating.

But did that matter? Even if they decided not to be a couple, they were friends. Silas took an interest in Tessa and what went on her life, and that wasn’t likely to change, even if they didn’t dive into a romantic relationship.

As she parked Linda outside Mist River Manor and then sat staring at the building, Tessa thought about it some more. She remembered what Gloria had said—that it would be okay for Tessa to let Silas in on her secret at some point. Would that work? Could they have a relationship after Silas knew Tessa was a reaper?

Miami had proven that Tessa’s job could be a dangerous one. Thankfully, Silas hadn’t been put in danger down there, but what if something similar happened again? Them dating would mean he was around her more. And if he knew the secret, would that put him in danger somehow?

She didn’t know. But as she watched Silas come out the front door of the apartment building and look around, stretching his back, Tessa did know one thing.

She wanted to be with him.

Tessa jumped out of the car and headed toward her handsome landlord, trying to screw up the courage to ask him out. His eyes tracked her across the lot. When she got to within a few feet, he