Read Online Deadly Crossing (Tom Dugan 2) by R.E. McDermott - Free Book Online Page B

suggesting she be treated like a leper, only that Cassie is innocent — still practically a child, for God’s sake! I don’t think she should be exposed to all this.”
    Gillian softened and leaned forward to lay her hand on Alex’s cheek and look into his eyes. “The world is a dangerous place, Alex, and no one knows that better than I. I also knew from the beginning that Cassie could never protect herself from dangers she didn’t understand, so I’ve taught her about ‘all this,’ as you call it, since puberty. She knows and understands what Tanya has endured, and wants to help her. I’m tremendously proud of our daughter, and you should be as well.”
    “Well, you could have told me.”
    Gillian smiled sweetly. “Yes, dear, but you would have objected, and I would have done it anyway, and we would likely have had a terrible and continuous argument. Isn’t this much better?”
    ***
    Tanya stood with Cassie in the walk-in closet and marveled at the racks of clothes.
    “So many beautiful clothes. Is like Christmas. I do not know what to choose.”
    “You can have anything you like,” Cassie said. “Mum said you can stay in the guest bedroom. Pick out what you want, and we’ll move it in there. Except for underwear. I have some new stuff I haven’t worn though so I’ll give you that.” Cassie made a face. “Wearing someone else’s underwear is gross.”
    Tanya laughed. “I like you, Cassie. You make me laugh, and I have not laughed in very long time.”
    Cassie hugged her. “I like you too, and I’m glad you’re staying with us. Mum says you can stay as long as you like.”
    They picked out a few outfits, and Tanya carried them to Cassie’s bed. As she laid them down, Tanya noticed several pictures of a beautiful woman on Cassie’s dresser. She had honey-blond hair and a peaches-and-cream complexion — she was the spitting image of Cassie.
    “Who is this?”
    “That’s my birth mum. Her name was Kathleen, and she died when I was just a baby. But Mum Gillian told me all about her, and she gave me those pictures so I would never forget her. I think she loved my birth mum a lot.”
    “So Gillian is not your real mother?”
    Cassie shook her head. “She was my nanny. My mum and dad hired her when I was a baby after I got real sick with a high fever. Then my mum got cancer and died, and Gillian stayed and took care of me and Dad. Then they fell in love and got married.”
    “Is like fairy tale.” Tanya spied another picture at the back of the dresser.
    “And so who is this handsome fellow that has you smiling so wide?” she asked, lifting a small photo of a beaming Cassie and a young man in uniform, obviously taken on a ship.
    Cassie blushed. “That’s Nigel. That was taken on his ship in Korea.”
    “So, your boyfriend is sailor man. Very nice!”
    “He’s not really my boyfriend,” Cassie said, eyes downcast. “We only met in person one time. Mostly we text and email and video chat.” She perked up. “But his ship got in to Southampton yesterday, and Mum is going to invite him to dinner.”
    “Trust me.” Tanya looked at the picture. “I can tell by the way he is looking at you that he is your boyfriend.”
    “I really hope so. Do you have a boyfriend?”
    Tanya looked away, tears welling up in her eyes.
    “Oh, I’m sorry. That was really dumb! Please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you sad. I meant… you know… before. Oh, that’s wrong too!”
    Tanya turned back to face Cassie and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she put both her hands on Cassie’s arms to calm her.
    “Is okay, Cassie. Is just difficult to think of these things sometimes. And yes, I had boyfriend in St. Petersburg. His name is Ivan. He is very quiet but very nice. And very, very smart. He is computer programmer. We were going to marry.”
    “That’s great!” Cassie got excited. “Maybe we can call him and let him know you’re okay. Do you have his number?”
    Tanya shook her head.