Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“Come on.” I put an arm around her and led her to the kitchen.

Sometime during Casablanca, we both fell asleep in the living room. I was curled up in the recliner and my mom stretched out on the couch.

I awoke with a pain in the side of my neck that spread to my shoulder. I rubbed it while I stretched my arm toward the ceiling. In the fog of my mind, I knew I had dreamed about Vaughn. His smile tugged at a memory I couldn’t quite pull into focus. I blinked trying to catch the remnants of it. I missed him.

I had moved my phone cord to the living room out

let before we started the movie last night. I checked to see if I had missed any calls or texts. There had to be something from one of my brother’s friends.

There was a text from Greer.

Checking on you. Any news?

I sighed and texted back.

No. Nothing to report.

Let me know if you need me.

Thanks.

Should I come down?

No. Thank you. No. Pres and those senators need you.

I checked my email. There was one from Lana Foley. She wanted to meet today to go over the next steps of her case. I responded, telling her to call Meg and schedule an appointment for next week. I had hope I would be back by then. Next I emailed Jessie and Gregory to let them know I’d be out of town for at least another day or two and to please send over the Foley files to Max. He could at least get more familiar with the case while I was away, even if I couldn’t keep our meeting today.

I layered my mother with another blanket before walking to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee while she slept.

I was glad she wasn’t awake yet. Today would be another stressful difficult day. She needed peace where she could find it.

I opened and closed the cabinets softly, sparing her any jarring noises. And then my phone beeped.

It was one of my messenger accounts.

Garrett.

“Holy shit,” I whispered.

Hi. I’m coming home.

I almost dropped the phone.

Where are you?

I waited. My hands shook.

I need to talk to you without Mom and Dad. Can you meet me?

Yes. Where? Where are you? I’m in NB.

Almost at my place.

I’ll be there in an hour.

That gave me fifteen minutes to get my stuff together and sneak out of the house without waking up my mother.

I ran to my room and got dressed. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, grabbed my purse, and tiptoed out the back door. It was on the opposite end of the house from the living room. I prayed she wouldn’t hear the rental car start up.