Page 72 of Where Roads Lead

No way. I didn’t see her car parked here. And no way in hell was she walking home alone in the dark.

“Elsie,” I started, but she was already throwing open the kitchen door.

“God!” she shrieked at the sight of Tessa Brooks standing in the doorway. “Why is there always someone standing there when I open this door?”

Tessa, dressed in her scrubs and looking exhausted, blinked at the sight of us all conjured in her kitchen.

“Hi, Tessa,” Ava said weakly.

At least most of the smoke had cleared out.

Elsie moved out of the way to let her in.

“Oh, no.” Tessa’s face fell as she dropped her bag on the floor. “Three babysitters for one child? My kid can give someone a run for their money, can’t he?”

“I’m just here to give them a ride home,” I said quickly, wanting to ease some of the anxiety looming in Tessa’s eyes.

“And I just came to hang out,” Elsie added, “because I had nothing better to do tonight.”

She said it like it was nothing. Like, she hadn’t stepped into the role of Mary Poppins and saved Ava’s ass that night.

“Oh, good,” Tessa breathed in relief. “So, everything went okay? I know his nanny said you offered to come over, and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate it. She’s been covering a lot of extra nights since I started picking up doubles.”

“It was nothing.” Ava waved her off. “I’m happy it worked out.”

Tessa reached into the pocket of pants, pulling out a wad of cash and handing it to Ava.

“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I don’t need that. I just wanted to help.”

Tessa frowned. “I know my kid, and you deserve the money for the night he probably put you through.”

“Then, give it to Elsie.” Ava looked to where she still lingered by the door. “She was the superstar of the night in Max’s eyes. He loves her.”

I could’ve sworn I heard the faintest trace of envy in her voice when she said it.

“Absolutely not.” Elsie held her hands up in defense, as if Tessa might fling the money at her. “We really just wanted to help out, that’s all.”

“Wow,” Tessa breathed, looking around at the three of us. “I’ve never met babysitters who refused to get paid for their work.”

“We’re just being neighborly.” Elsie grinned as if she were part of the town.

And I guess now, she sort of was.

When I showed up to give Ava a ride home, I wasn’t anticipating having to fight a stubborn woman to get her in my truck.

And I really wasn’t expecting two of them.

“I’d really rather walk,” Ava said, staring at me with obvious disdain. “I wouldn’t want to put you out or anything.”

Was she serious? When in the history of me knowing her had she ever turned down a ride?

I sighed, hating more than anything when I had to play these mind games with people. Why couldn’t we all save the time and energy and breath and just skip past it?

“You’re not putting me—” I paused, seeing Elsie out of the corner of my eye, starting off down the sidewalk. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“Uh?” She glanced around. “Home?”

“I already told you I’d give you a ride.”