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Kelly walked over to lean on the boat’s railing. The rush of salty wind blew her hair everywhere, so she controlled it with a ponytail. Her shift had gone well today. She’d been on time and experienced no problems she couldn’t handle. No more hateful remarks from her sergeant, thank goodness.
So, hopefully, her career was back on track.
Looking down, she watched the frothy water stream past. She smiled, reminded of Jason splashing in the pool. What had the little dude done today while she was gone? Most likely he spent as much time as he could in the water, and Trey would have been right there with him. She had to admit Wentworth was a pretty devoted dad. She hadn’t known such a thing truly existed outside of sitcoms.
Picturing Trey in his bathing suit, she felt a tug of arousal. Man, did she ever need to get over herself. The minute Jason realized she wasn’t his mother, Trey would forget she even existed.
How could she put a stop to the good-night kiss ritual? Did she even want to?
Her stomach rumbled, and she decided it was far safer to wonder what Greta had prepared for dinner. Whatever was on the menu was sure to be yummy—at least everything had been so far. It was great not to have to worry about dinner. She loved her job, but was always too exhausted to make anything healthy when she got home.
Home? What the hell? She pushed away from the railing and gazed toward the rapidly approaching dock on Collins Island. She wasn’t on her way home. She was ferrying to Wentworth Villa where she was nothing but a temporary guest.
She’d grown to appreciate having Hans to negotiate Miami’s nightmare traffic after a long shift. She loved the fifteen-minute ferry trip twice a day. Boat rides were something a kid living under protective services never even dared to dream about.
Worst of all, she looked forward to seeing Jason and Trey.
But they weren’t her family. She didn’t have a family.
None of these trappings were her life.
Kelly turned from the water, glared at the sleek black limo and mentally kicked her own ass. She was as big a fool as her mother.
* * *
WHEN KELLY ENTERED the front door of Wentworth Villa, Maria stood in a corner of the foyer. She spoke into a cell phone, using her palm to shield her mouth so she couldn’t be overheard. Looking up, the housekeeper immediately terminated the call and hurried toward Kelly. Maria’s shiner had now faded to purples and browns.
“We have a visitor,” she said in a hushed voice.
“Ballard again?” Kelly asked. Had there been a break in the case?
Maria shook her head. “Mr. Wentworth’s father. They are waiting for you in the bar.”
Alexander Asswipe the Third was here? No wonder Maria appeared rattled. Trey didn’t talk much about his father, but what few comments he’d made, including that delightful pet name, told her they didn’t get along.
“Are you sure they want to see me?”
“Yes.” Maria ran her palms down her uniform. Normally the definition of calm, Maria seemed jittery, nervous. No doubt she didn’t like Wentworth Senior any more than Trey did. Should be an interesting evening.
“Okay,” Kelly said. “Let me lock up my gun first.”
“Put on something nice, chica,” Maria suggested, darting a look in the direction of the bar. “No one is in a good mood.”
Kelly hurried up the stairs wondering about the need to change clothes. In the strictest sense, her uniform definitely wasn’t “nice,” but neither was much else she owned. She’d change, but her best jeans would have to do for Trey’s charmer of a dad. Too bad they weren’t exactly clean.
Another reason to go home. If she stayed much longer, she’d have to do laundry.
She came to a halt when she entered her room. On top of the bed were all of the clothes she’d brought with her, including her underwear, stacked into tidy piles. A stab of guilt made her flinch. Obviously Maria had already washed her clothing.
Kelly sat on the bed. This was too much.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Hearing Jason’s voice in the hallway, Kelly felt a rush of warmth and stood. He came to her door, peeked inside, but didn’t enter. Good boy.
“You’re home,” he said.
“Yeah, I am.” Kneeling before him, she hugged him tight, inhaling the scent of his baby shampoo.
