Are You Going To Push Me

Chapter 12

DPOV

I could tell by the way Cassie was watching Rose, and Rose was watching Cassie, that something was up. Combined with the calculated looks on Janine's face, I knew for sure that I was out of the loop. All I needed was Pavel in the mix and it would be all too hard to miss or ignore.

Three weeks had come and gone since Rose returned to us, and it went so quickly that it was a blink of the eye.

I made my way down the stairs and found two of the three huddled together in the kitchen, heads bent together.

"Is there something I need to know?"

Cassie and Janine both looked up and towards me. Janine's features were schooled and collected, a perfect mask. Cassie's features showed surprise and a little guilt.

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.

"I mean the fact that I'm clearly out of the loop about something, and it involves the two of you and Rose," I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"I think that this is a conversation you need to have with Rose when she is ready," Janine said calmly, coming over and resting her hand on my shoulder. "But don't push. You know what happens if you push her too hard."

I nodded and accepted what she said. Janine went back to the counter and picked up her mug of tea, slipping past me into the living room. I smiled to myself as she passed, noticing the stains of paint on her hands. Rose had told me many times that her mother painted, that it was a vivid memory of her.

I was happy to see that Janine was painting again. I turned my head and I could see the easel had been adjusted, a new canvas on the stand. I couldn't make out much of it yet, but it looked like a landscape. Possibly the view of the yard.

I turned back to Cassie and raised a brow.

"I wanted to ask you something," I said and Cassie made a face.

"What?"

"You said something a few weeks ago and I want clarification."

Cassie tapped her nails against the counter and sighed. "Okay?"

"You said that you didn't think Rose should drink that tea. Why do you really think that?"

Cassie shifted on her feet; lips clamped shut. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Comrade, leave her be," Rose said coming up behind me, stretching up on her toes to kiss my cheek. I raised a brow at Rose's back and then looked at Cassie. Cassie looked like God had just reached down and given her the answer of life.

"Sleep well?" Rose asked, pouring boiled water into a mug and then looking through the cabinet for tea bags. I spied the coffee pot that was full and then looked to Rose. I had a suspicion but wanted to wait for her to be ready to speak.

"Yep, after a bit of tossing," Cassie said lifting her cup of coffee to her lips.

"I slept well, you?"

Rose looked up and gave me a small smile as she stirred the sugar into her tea. "It was okay," she said, but I could see that her smile didn't reach her eyes. Cassie took the moment of my attention being focused on Rose and slipped out of the kitchen.

Rose cupped her mug between her hands and leaned back against the counter, resting her bottom lip against the rim of the cup.

"What's wrong? Something's bothering you," she said quietly, taking a sip.

"I'm just worried about you is all," I said leaving the door and coming to stand in front of her. I leaned against the island and mimicked her position, crossing my ankles. Rose nodded and looked outside.