“I sub sometimes.”
Dalton shook his head. Interesting. The man was full of surprises. He couldn’t imagine him being a substitute teacher in any classroom. “One last question.”
Stonewall’s gaze was keen. “And make sure it’s your last.”
Dalton stared across the table at him. “When are you going to stop following me around?”
Stonewall held his stare. “Not until Shep gives the word, so whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”
*
Gesturing her sister over to the sofa, Shana eased down in the wingback chair across from it and gave Jules a bright smile. “So you’re here to tell me why you were staked outside Dalton’s place last night?”
Jules rolled her eyes. “No, I’m here to see how you’re feeling. Dad said you texted him to say that you wouldn’t be going into the office today.”
Shana chuckled softly. “I’m fine, but since I had a late night I decided to stay home and take it easy. In fact, it was really Jace’s idea.”
Jules laughed. “I guess sleeping with the boss has it perks.”
Shana joined in, laughing with her. “Yes, it does, trust me. More than one,” she said, leaning back against the chair and lifting her legs to rest on the ottoman. “Although, technically, Jace isn’t my boss. I was hired to do a job for his company, and one thing led to another.”
It most certainly did, Jules thought, studying her sister. Was she imagining things, or was Shana finally getting a little pudgy in the stomach? It was about time. She was pregnant, so she might as well look it. “When will you find out whether you’re having a boy or a girl?”
Shana shrugged. “Not sure if we want to know. I think we just want to be surprised.”
It was their choice, but if she were the one having a baby, she would want to know. “Did Dad ever tell you that our maternal grandmother was a triplet?”
Shana frowned. “No, and he didn’t tell you that, either, so don’t play with me like that, Juliet. And speaking of Dad, I understand you spent the night over at his place.”
“Yes, and did he mention he wasn’t home when I got there?”
“No, he didn’t mention that. It had to be after two when we left Dalton’s place.”
“Exactly. He didn’t come home all night, and I have a feeling it wasn’t the first time.” When Shana didn’t say anything, just sat and smiled, Jules’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
“Yes, and I wondered how long it would take for you to figure things out. I believe he began spending nights at Mona’s place after they took that New York trip together. So I guess it’s now really serious.”
Jules waved off Shana’s words. “Men sleep with women all the time, and there’s not a doggone serious thing about it.”
“True. But we’re talking about our dad, Benjamin Bradford, the man who has never introduced a girlfriend to us before Mona. Trust me, it’s serious.”
“Maybe he’ll get over it.”
Shana glared at her sister. “I hope you’re not counting on that happening, and why should you? Dad’s happy. I’m happy for him, and you should be, too.”
“I am, but...”
“But what?”
Jules didn’t say anything for a minute. “But we never had to share him with anyone after Mom died.”
Shana nodded her understanding. “I know, but don’t you think it’s time? We both have our lives, and now it’s time for him to have his. It would be selfish of us not to want that for him.”
Jules knew Shana was right and would admit she liked Mona. But still...
“Just think of the bright side,” Shana said, interrupting her thoughts.
“Which is?”
“He’s found someone special. Someone we can both admire. She’s a very strong woman, the kind of woman he raised his daughters to be. Mona hasn’t let her blindness stop her from living a fulfilling life. I think that’s one of the reasons Dad fell in love with her.”