With Good Behavior (46 page)

Both Sophie and Grant looked at him with startled expressions.

“Yeah,” Jerry mused, liking the idea more and more. “Couples therapy. If you’re going to try to cohabitate, you’re really going to need it.”

“B-b-but I—I—”

“Don’t even try to argue with me, Taylor,” Jerry ordered. “Weekly couples counseling for as long as you need it.”

“And how long will that be, sir?” Grant looked pained.

“Knowing you two, I think you can count on being in counseling for the length of your parole.” Grant’s subsequent look of misery made Jerry’s day.

Rising from his desk, Jerry suggested, “Let’s see if you both can stay in the forty percent who don’t return to prison, okay? I really don’t want to complete all that paperwork. Now, any questions?”

A stunned silence enveloped them.

“Well, off to your whiz quiz then, both of you.”

Grant waited for Sophie to rise before he stood. Although still miffed about his impending therapy, Grant felt a world of gratitude toward his PO. Jerry was largely responsible for him not being behind bars at the moment, and he wondered if he might also have had something to do with him and Sophie having a chance together. Their relationship had blossomed despite all the obstacles in the way.

Fidgeting, Grant said nervously, “We’ll see you next week, sir.”

“Don’t be late.”

As Grant led Sophie of the office, she paused and looked back at Jerry. “Thank you for not giving up on us, sir.”

With that farewell, Bonnie and Clyde exited. Jerry wondered if Taylor would heal from her physical wound, if Madsen would heal from his emotional scars, and if they would make it as a couple. There were many uncertainties, but one thing he knew: The drama was not over with this couple.

Standing outside on the courthouse steps about twenty minutes later, Sophie breathed in the fresh summer air. The sunlight buoyed her spirits, and finally she spoke to Grant—her first words since leaving Jerry’s office.

“Do you know how 
completely
 embarrassing it was not only to pee in a cup, but to have to ask a police officer to help pull my pants down to do so?”

Grant tried not to smile. “Yeah?” His eyes twinkled. “Well, that was a one-time deal, Bonnie, unlike the weekly torture you just subjected me to.” He imagined therapy would be like a metaphorical pulling down of his pants, leaving him utterly exposed.

He joked, but she could read the real dread in his eyes. How could a man who so bravely protected them from Carlo feel such intense fear about just 
talking
? She would have to show him the way.

Placing a slender hand on his arm, she confided, “I know you’re not looking forward to counseling, Grant. But let’s face it, we need it. Both our mothers have died, and our relationships with our fathers are hardly healthy.” She gazed at him earnestly, anxiously. “As devoted as we are to each other, there’s a lot that could come between us if we let it.” She didn’t have to mention Logan for both to sense his presence.

Grant sighed loudly and nodded, which encouraged Sophie to continue.

“Besides, I always told myself I was going to have a better marriage than my parents did. To achieve that, I knew I would probably need couples counseling with the man I wanted to marry.”

His eyes lit up, and without a second thought, Grant grabbed her and drew her to him. Their eyes locked for one intense moment before he leaned in to unite his perfect, full lips with hers. Her mind and body raced with exquisite pleasure, and once again, time stood still on the busy city street.

Grant could not get enough of her soft, inviting mouth, and he could focus on only one singular thought: a promise for the future. 
She said she wanted to marry him!

Thank you to …

The team at Omnific Publishing, particularly Jessica Royer Ocken

Aunt Nancy for reading the original manuscript, giving some editing tips, encouraging my writing skills and me as a person

Mom and Dad for being such avid readers and for fostering creativity

My sisters Laurie and Susan for introducing me to the great city of Chicago

My nephews Nick, Dylan, and Henry for teaching me the depth

of Joe’s love for Grant

Pamela for helping me with the plot, namely suggesting that

Uncle Joe live on a naval base

Lorne Griffin for making the banner and tolerating the Muffin torture

Ina for a fellow shrink’s perspective and ardent support

Amy Watson for her ongoing encouragement

Nora for editing the synopsis and medical expertise

Marilyn for her hilarious and thoughtful reviews

Riem Harper for the McSailor marquee, poem, and awesome support

Jaquita Chaquita for her incredible sense of humor

Leah for her listening and editing help

Nix for her legal insights and encouragement

Online friends: Elke, Deb, Danni, Karina, Spunky Ashley, Adriana,

Thania, Sim, Lily, Ginger