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The stricken expression that crossed his face, along with the fact his hands dropped to his
side and his shoulders seemed to sag, made her feel like a horrible little bitch. Daddy....
I m sorry, baby. He turned his back on her and started running water in the sink. I m
sorry.
The slight hitch in his voice just about brought her to tears. She jumped from her chair
and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his back. I didn t mean it. I didn t.
You re a good Dad.
His wet hands closed over her arms. I know, Jess. I love you, sweetheart. I just worry
about you. A lot. He turned around and wrapped his arms around her.
She hated to admit it, it wasn t a grown-up thing to do, but she missed cuddling with her
daddy. He used to hold her on his lap, tell her silly stories, scary stories, sad stories. He used to
tuck her in at night. Sometimes he d even lay down with her and answer all the questions she had
about her mother. It had been a long, long time since they really talked about anything besides
school and his job, Nana or the diner.
He brushed his hand over her hair, cradled her head against his chest. Tell me about
these headaches, baby. Why haven t you told me about them before?
I didn t want to worry you. She leaned against him, breathed in his spicy cologne--the
cologne she d bought for him last Christmas--and smiled. They only happen at night.
Maybe we should go see Doc Webb.
Jess shook her head. She only got the headaches when she heard the voices. She wanted
to talk to Lina about it before she went to see a doctor. She was beginning to suspect that she was
hearing spirits, whereas before, she thought she was losing her mind. The meditating was
helping. She pulled back enough to look up into his face. He looked worried. It s not fair that
you re mad at Lina. She didn t do anything wrong.
Well, she should have told me that you were having headaches. I m your father. You
barely know the woman.
Jess swallowed. She hadn t told Lina, either. And he d never understand. The few times
over the past couple years she d tried talking to him about God, spirits, and the afterlife, he d
made it real clear that that subject was not open for discussion. Even Nana was a little weird
about it. He d totally freaked over Lina s books. Lina was the first person to ever come into her
life that understood her. I didn t tell her why I wanted to learn to meditate, Dad. She sighed
and rested her cheek against his chest again. Please let me see her. I really like her. And you
WITCH HUNT Leanne Karella & Vivienne King 84
really hurt her. I know you like her, too, and now you won t even talk to her.
* * * *
Trent sighed. Had he overreacted? Maybe. But what was he to think, walking into her
place lit by dozens of candles, the windows blacked out, and his daughter lying on the couch.
And her books ... And those crystal things hanging all over the place ... The drying herbs ... He
shivered. No thank you. He wasn t going to let his daughter get involved with anyone who
dabbled in ... whatever it was Lina was into.
I just think she s a bad influence on you. I don t want to see you hurt, baby.
Jess sighed and pulled away. Dad. Be reasonable. She flopped down in the chair at the
table and sighed again. She s not exactly an axe murderer or anything.
Ah ha! Who was to say she wasn t? He almost smiled. Yeah, right. Lina might be a little
strange, but he didn t think she was a murderer, axe or otherwise. But she had all those books on
the spirit world. Another shudder ripped through him. He did not want Jess involved in that
garbage.
We don t know anything about her. She doesn t talk about her past. All we know is
she s from Chicago. Not what she did there, or why she left.
She said she wanted a new start. Jess folded her arms over her chest and scowled.
What s so wrong about that?
Because a new start usually means you re running from something, Trent answered
reasonably.
Ha! Maybe she s just looking for a place to belong.
Trent frowned. What are you talking about?
Maybe she doesn t feel welcome anywhere because she s a little different. Maybe she
just wants someplace that accepts her for who she is. And maybe she doesn t want to have to
answer too many questions.
He really did not like his daughter s tone. It sounded like she was the one who wanted to
fit in, to not have to answer questions. She tell you this?
That annoying one-shoulder shrug. Trent almost growled. Jess. Until I can talk to her,
you are not to see her. Understand me?
Jess narrowed her eyes. I speak English, don t I?
Now he was pretty sure he did growl. Don t you take that tone with me, young lady. I
am your father and--
Heard it all before. Jess pushed herself out of the chair and headed for the stairs. But
this time, you re wrong! She stomped up the steps, down the hall, and slammed her bedroom
door so hard the walls shook.
And don t slam the damn doors anymore!
He didn t yell it. What good would it do? Turning back to the sink, he started scrubbing
plates. He remembered thirteen. He remembered the mouth, the attitude. How he d driven his
mother crazy with it. Now it was payback time.
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