“Why don’t you and Miss Lady sit at the big table with me, Sammy?”
“Okay.” The child climbed off the chair.
They sat beside each other and Evangeline asked about her doll. After the child talked aboutallher dollies, and the tea parties they had together, she blurted out, “My mommy died.”
Whoa. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not sad. I don’t remember her, but Daddy has a picture of her.”
“So, it’s just you and your dad?”
“And Mrs. Morris.”
“Does she help take care of you?”
“Uh-huh. She’s nice. We bake cookies and she teaches me things when I’m not in school.”
Evangeline peered down at the small child and her heart ached. Now she understood why Dakota was so overprotective of her. The child talked about big-girl school, which Evangeline deduced was daycare.
While listening to Sammy talk about Miss Lady’s outfits, she felt someone watching her. She checked the door and, like earlier, her heart jumped into her throat. Sin’s strapping physique filled the doorway and his penetrating eyes scored a direct hit to her libido. Like every other time, she couldn’t look away.
“Hey, Sammy, your daddy’s ready to head home.”
“Noooo!” Tears filled her eyes. “I want to stay with E-Leen!”
“Hey, Sammy, I have an idea,” Evangeline said. “Why don’t I come over one day and we can have a tea party together?”
She shuddered in a sobbing breath. “Really?”
“Maybe Uncle Lalla will drive me to your house.”
Sammy yawned. “Okay.”
Sin picked her up.
“Bye E-Leen.” As she snuggled close, her eyelids fluttered closed.
Dakota appeared in the doorway. Though he was just as gorgeous, especially with that mussed head of hair, Evangeline’s heart didn’t flip like it did for Sin. “There’s my sleepy girl.”
After Sin passed the child to her dad, Dakota waved goodbye, and they left.
* * *
Sinclair needed to clear the air. He wasn’t comfortable talking about his feelings, but he needed Evan to know the truth. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.”
As he pulled out a chair at his conference table and eased down beside her, his phone rang. He ignored it.
“You should get that.”
Dammit. He answered, “Develin.”
“Sinclair, it’s Winona Applegate. I hope I’m not calling too late.”
“Not at all. What can I do for you, Senator?”
“Bethany will talk to your contact. How’s tomorrow evening, nine o’clock?”
