Page 86 of Guarding Truth
“Now it’s seriously over,” he whispered to both of his girls. “No one’s going to hurt us again.”
Ivy wriggled out from under his arm and rolled her eyes at him. “Just kiss her already. What are you waiting for?”
Caleb laughed and caught Juliette blushing. “I’m not waiting anymore.” He pulled Juliette close and dipped her with his uninjured arm like they were in a movie scene. She twined her arms around his neck, and his lips met hers. A fire ignited between them like an exothermic chemical reaction. If someone lit a match, the place would explode.
“I take it back,” Ivy chimed in. “I’d rather not see that.” She grinned and ran off to her room. Caleb pulled Juliette to her feet but didn’t let her go.
“I think we should gross her out like that more often,” Caleb whispered in her ear.
Juliette smiled. “And to think, this is just the beginning.” She pulled him in for another spine-tingling kiss.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, Hazard Pay. Not even for a second.”
TWENTY-TWO
SIX MONTHS LATER
“Are you ready, Jules?” Caleb asked.
Juliette checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror and applied more lipstick.
The things she did for love.
“Almost.”
“We’re going to be late.” Ivy’s voice carried through the bathroom door.
What was the rush? The convention didn’t start for two hours. How had she agreed to attend her firstStar Trekconvention? But worse, what had possessed her to dress up in a blue Star Fleet uniform complete with Spock ears?
Easy answer. Ivy was the reason.
The girl had begged her to attend, and Juliette couldn’t say no. After binge-watching the movies, she’d decided to surprise Caleb and Ivy with her ensemble.
“Well, here goes nothing.” She opened the bathroom door and headed to the living room. Ivy and Caleb gaped, their reactions everything she could have wanted.
“What? I thought I’d look the part.”
Ivy giggled at Juliette’s outfit.
“It’s not what I was expecting when you agreed to go to the convention,” Caleb said. “But you look great, as always.” He twirled her around and wrapped his arms around her.
She was beyond blessed with Caleb and Ivy in her life. The three of them had been inseparable these past few months. When she didn’t have an assignment from work, she’d pick up Ivy from school and spend the afternoon with her.
Ivy bounced around the apartment with an unusual level of excitement, more than her typical twelve-year-old girl antics.
“You really are excited for this convention,” Juliette said with a laugh. “But why aren’t you and your uncle dressed up? If I’m wearing a costume, you two should be in costume.”
“Right,” Ivy said, winking at her uncle. “I guess we need costumes, too.”
What were they up to? The girl’s giggle filled the hallway while she raced to change. Ivy had a closet full of choices. Caleb shrugged and headed to his room too, emerging a few minutes later with his own Star Fleet uniform.
Ivy returned, decked out in her matching uniform. “I can’t wait. Let’s go.” She grabbed Juliette’s hand and pulled her toward the door.
“I guess we’re leaving now.” Juliette followed Ivy down the hall and to the car.
Caleb drove and Ivy prattled on aboutStar Trek,giving a detailedplay-by-play about an episode featuring the Borg. And for the first time in her life, Juliette could follow the conversation.
She watched out the window, not recognizing the road they were on. “Where is the event? I didn’t even ask.”