“Full disclosure, I have a couple of indoor cameras.”
“I would expect you to.”
“You would?”
She’s nodding. “Of course. You’re a police officer. Just to say, if you decide to watch the video of this eventful morning, I’d love to see it.”
She’s teasing me. This woman walked in on me in a towel making a jackass of myself, and she’s fucking teasing me.
“Your only priority here is my daughter’s safety, Ms. Thompson. I hope we’re clear on that.”
“We are. I even completed my CPR and first-aid certification.” She pulls a folded piece of paper from her bag. “I’m all set.”
I scan the paper. Looks like she printed off her digital certificate. Satisfied, I hand it back. “Anything else?”
“Yes. What rules do you have about TV time and coaster usage?”
“Do I look like a guy who uses coasters?”
Her eyes find mine. “I think you’re full of surprises, Sutton.”
I ignore the coaster question. “She’s allowed an hour of TV after dinner unless it’s movie night.”
“Movie nights are Friday,” Nellie adds around a mouthful of toast. She polishes off her final bite. “Unless Daddy has to work, then it’s Saturday.”
Draining my coffee mug, I check my watch. It’s time for me to leave, but I can’t seem to force myself to move.
Ms. Thompson notices my hesitance.
“It’s okay, Sutton. You can go.”
I sweep my gaze from my daughter to Ms. Thompson and back again. “I’ll be checking in.”
“Okay.”
“Often.”
“Please do.”
“Nellie, come say goodbye.”
My daughter hops down from her chair and wraps her arms tightly around my neck. “Bye, Daddy. Love you.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Love you too, Buttercup. Go brush your teeth and be good for Ms. Thompson. I’ll see you tonight.”
She skips off down the stairs, not realizing how hard I’m struggling to let her go.
I’ve been leaving her with family since shortly after her birth. I had to. Her mother, Jolene, and I were never together, and after she died, I needed to support my daughter on my own. Which meant when I had to work, she needed someone to watch her.
But leaving her with family and friends was a hell of a lot easier than leaving her with this stranger.
I straighten and reach into my pocket. “Here’s the spare key. There’s a list of important phone numbers on the counter, along with the alarm code. Add them to your phone immediately. Text me once you drop her off and lock up the house once you bring Merit back from her walk.”
She reaches for the gleaming silver in my palm, and for a moment, our fingers clash. I rapidly withdraw and cross my arms over my chest.
“I will.”
I straighten to my full height. For the first time, I notice how much I tower over her. At six-foot-one, I must be nearly a foot taller.
