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Although, didn’t she always?
His gaze zeroed in on her weapon. Now there’d be a loaded gun in the same house as a curious four-year-old.
He cleared his throat. “Are you hungry? Dinner is ready.”
“I need to talk to you,” Kelly said. “It’s important.”
Lugging a suitcase, Scott entered the foyer. “Where should I put this?”
Kelly narrowed her eyes at the PA operative, making Trey wonder if there was a problem between the two of them. Was that what she wanted to talk to him about?
Maria appeared and said, “I’ll show you.”
“Go on into the dining room, buddy,” Trey told Jason.
Jason took Kelly’s hand and tugged. “Come on, Mommy. I’m hungry.”
“Daddy needs to talk to Mommy for a minute,” Trey said. “You go on, son.”
“But Mommy just got home.”
“Can our discussion wait?” Trey asked Kelly. “Jason’s been anxious to see you.”
He thought she’d refuse, but after a pause she nodded. “Sure. Let’s eat.”
“Thank you,” Trey told her.
“No problem. But I’d like to drop my gun belt first.”
“Where are you going, Mommy,” Jason demanded when she untangled her hand from his.
She knelt so they were eye level. “Mommy needs to go to the bathroom to wash her hands. I’ll be right back.”
“Promise?” he asked.
Trey bit his lip. How could anyone be immune to the longing in that little boy’s voice?
“I promise.”
She stood and hurried away, unbuckling her belt as she took the stairs.
Where would she hide her gun? Was there any chance Jason could get at it? Unlikely, but he needed to speak to her about that possibility. He needed to procure some sort of a safe.
“Why is Mommy dressed like that?” Jason asked. “She looks funny.”
“For her job,” Trey said quickly. “You ready to eat, Jase?” Trey asked, in an attempt to change the subject. “I know you’re hungry.”
Jason heaved a big sigh, his gaze glued to the staircase where Kelly had disappeared. “I’ll wait for Mommy.”
So Trey waited beside his son for Kelly to return.
When she descended the stairs a few minutes later, Jason rushed forward to grab her hand. She still wore that ghastly uniform, but her hair looked different. Before it’d been tied back somehow, but now it framed her face, softening her serious expression. Her step appeared lighter without all that weight around her waist.
As he followed ersatz mother and son into the dining room, she spoke easily to Jason, making him giggle. He skipped along beside her, appearing truly happy and at ease for the first time all day.
Inside the dining room, Greta had set three places at the table. Trey helped Jason into his booster seat and indicated Kelly should sit across from his son. He sat at the head of the table.
“No buffet tonight?” Kelly asked, unfolding a napkin into her lap.
“Greta will be serving us,” Trey said.
Greta pushed in her cart containing the first course and placed a steaming bowl of minestrone soup before Kelly.
“Thanks,” she said, and gazed at it as if she’d never seen food before.
He should be grateful to this woman. His request had disrupted her career, but for the most part she was being a really good sport. Especially considering her life was now in danger.
Then why was he still so uncomfortable with her presence in his home? Maybe because he had his doubts that all this playacting was the right thing for Jason’s mental health.
* * *
WHAT SEEMED LIKE hours later, Kelly followed Jason and his father upstairs. It was finally time to put Jason down for the night. She’d planned to speak to Wentworth immediately after dinner about the bodyguard situation, swim forty laps and then retire to her room to study. No such luck.
Wentworth gave Jason permission to watch his favorite Disney movie before bed, and of course she had to watch it with him.
Finally, at nine, Wentworth had told Jason it was bedtime, and apparently it was some sort of bizarre family ritual that Mommy and Daddy both had to put the kid down. Why did it take two people? She’d managed to go to sleep as a child without anyone ever tucking her in.
