Even Ash had laughed when Becca first made introductions. “A bit on the nose, don’t you think?” She was right. It was totally on the nose, but Becca didn’t care. Once you got to know Freud, you could see how well suited he was to his name. He was uniquely attuned to people’s emotions. It was like a sixth sense, understanding intuitively what Becca needed. On nights when Christian worked late and Becca was home alone, Freud would leap onto the bed and press his massive furry body next to hers. Sometimes he would lay his head on her belly as if he understood the emptiness. Other times, he would sit on her foot, acknowledging she was the leader of his pack and he was there for her no matter what. When Ash moved in, she instantly bonded with Freud. She loved how much he cared about Ash.

“I thought things between you and Ash were good,” Christian said. She wondered how he knew, if he’d asked around or talked to friends of theirs.

“They were good,” Becca replied, not wanting to mention yesterday and the drugs and the tattoo, everything else she ignored.

“Becca, there’s something I need to tell you. I should’ve told you earlier,” Christian said with a heavy sigh. She looked at him, and saw the negative energy practically emanating from him. She didn’t say anything. Christian hated when she talked about auras and energies and reading people’s vibes. He was raised by a family of academics, which meant he was all about logic and facts. She appreciated those things too, but you could tell a lot by a person if you paid attention and looked clearly.

She sank down into one of the dining chairs, remembering how she’d sat here with Ash agreeing to make the adoption official. “What is it, Chris?”

“I need you to understand everything I did it was because I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Okay, now you’re scaring me. What is it?”

“About two months ago, I got a call from Ash. She was at school and she couldn’t get ahold of you. She was crying and begging me to come to her school. When I got there I found out she got caught trying to skip school. She was supposed to call a parent or guardian, but…”

“She called you? Where the hell was I?” Becca asked in disbelief.

“Palm Springs,” Christian said. Becca remembered a mandatory weekend training course she’d attended, required for one of her certifications. Ash stayed with Becca’s parents, the three of them taking a trip to Universal Studios. Nothing else stood out about that weekend. Ash seemed perfectly happy when Becca returned.

“I’m afraid I’m confused, because the man I used to know, the one I married, doesn’t break the rules. He’s Mr. Goddamn Law and Order,” Becca snapped.