Chapter 12

I had cut way back on my traveling, usually meeting the client, talking about what their expectations were, taking a lot of pictures, and returning home. If they wanted the service, I would stay, but it had gotten less and less often.

As much as I liked my house and studio, it was too long a drive to be practical to do on a regular basis if I was going to spend time with my girls. I was thinking about putting it up for sale and buying something closer. I mentioned it to Chelsea, and after a long discussion about what I needed, she started making calls.

A month later she called. “When are you coming home?”

“Tomorrow, why?”

“I think I found your house. Sissy and Katie are dying to see it, so block a couple of hours out tomorrow.”

“If the girls want it, do I even need to see it?”

“Of course you do. After all, you have to pay for it.”

Sissy and I had eased back into love, for lack of a better word. Both a little gun-shy, we tap-danced around each other for about a month before I brought it to her attention. “We have to stop. People yell at each other in a real relationship. They get huffy, they pout, it doesn’t mean they don’t love their significant other, it just means they’re human. Stop worrying about how I react and say what you feel.”

She started, then giggled, and after that I’d get an occasional earful over my shortcomings. I gave as good as I got, but it was never said in anger (well, not real anger) and we always talked it out later. We’d learned a lot from our counselor.

I was really reticent to go at first, but Chelsea talked us into it, saying the woman was at the top of her field. We had to an individual session first before we went together.

I liked the counselor, a woman close to fifty who had been practicing for twenty-four years. I asked her once if over the years she’d heard it all. She grinned. “Not in the least. Every time I get complacent one of my clients throws me for a loop. You never know what’s going to come out of a client’s mouth.”

We did the individual sessions and Dr. Jones shared a few observations before we could speak. I was a little surprised at her description of me. “You’re a very successful man, Mr. Dawe’s, in a profession that’s a very specialized niche. You interact with the rich and famous almost exclusively and it’s made you cynical. Plus, being alone so much has shaped a narrow view of your world. Your stubbornness is legendary. I remember the Queen incident from the papers. You need to broaden your horizons, get out in the real world more. Don’t worry, a child will force that reality on you.”

Sissy was smirking until it was her turn. “You, Miss O’Mallory, have a hard time dealing with your success. In your mind, you think this is all temporary, and you’ll wake to find yourself back in Ireland working a minimum wage job, scrambling to make your bills and worrying about the future of your child. You know Damon loves you, but you’re terrified he may wake up one day and wonder why, when he could almost pick and choose from the daughters of the very rich. Plus, you have a jealous streak that needs to be controlled, and make sure you never jump to conclusions. Remember, that’s why we’re here in the first place. One conversation and you’d probably be married by now living your version of happily ever after.