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I was still trying to figure it out when I went to get Katie from daycare. It was only after I saw her yawn that I had the idea. Instead of going back to the shelter or to get food, I took her to the park to pass the time before I had to start my shift at six. I didn’t have much time, but it seemed to do the trick. Katie was already yawning by the time we got to the building I was supposed to clean.
There was no one there when we arrived. Going straight for the staff room, I wrapped Katie in a blanket and put her down on her bag. Her eyes already closed before I lay her on the makeshift pillow.
The plan worked surprisingly well. For nearly a week, I would take Katie to daycare during the day and work at the Madison building before going to the park to wear her out. Then I would put her down to sleep in the empty staff room, I was the only one working the shift, joining her for a nap before the day shift came in.
If only I had noticed the security cameras.
Unfortunately, I was fired without pay from the night shift. I still had the day shift and was going to be paid soon, though that didn’t help in finding a place to live. I would need to work at least a month to get the money to get into a place with the first month’s rent and deposit. I really didn’t want to go back to the shelter.
It was then that I remembered that I still had a key to Chase’s place. The night was pitch black and scary. Maybe we could just sleep and leave before he noticed.
Chapter Eleven
Chase
I knew it was her when I heard the door open. It had to be Ashlyn. The only other person who had a key was Ann, who was also my emergency contact, and she wouldn’t be sneaking in at the dead of night. She would have called first.
I heard Katie fussing, and that clinched it. They were sneaking back into my house after leaving suddenly. My anger at her leaving mixed with my relief that they were okay.
What Ann had said about me having it bad for Ashlyn had stuck with me. It seemed so soon, but I couldn’t deny there was something about her that struck me in a way I hadn’t felt in years. Feelings, if I was honest, I had suspected were gone.
I definitely had a soft spot for little Katie. There was no doubt about that. It was true kids didn’t usually like me much, probably because I was so big and scary looking. I couldn’t blame them, really. I must have looked like a monster to their underdeveloped perspective. But Katie seemed to be able to see past that.
Throwing off the blankets, I went to confront Ashlyn without even bothering to turn on the lights.
“What are you doing?” I whispered once I got into the living room. She jumped back, the suitcase clattering to the floor. The noise woke up Katie, who started to cry. Without a word, I took her from Ashlyn, holding her close. “Chase,” Katie cooed. “That’s right, honey,” I said, bouncing her gently. “What are you—” “It’s okay. I’ll put her to bed. Go rest on the couch,” I order Ashlyn. She hung her head and obeyed.
When Katie was asleep, I took her into the guest room, laying her down on the bed, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving. “What happened?” I asked, sitting down on the couch next to Ashlyn. “I kept calling your cellphone, and you never answered. What were you doing?”
“I-I was tired, I—” “Figured you would sneak in without even saying hello?” I asked, the anger coming back. Her pretty face paled and she looked at the ground. “No, I mean—” “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” I asked.
“No, I—” “I thought maybe the police found you or your ex. For all I knew, you were both dead,” I pressed on. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she cried, breaking down in tears. Against my better judgment and usually cynical nature, I took Ashlyn in both arms and hugged her. “I said that you could stay here, and I meant it. Not just to be my fake wife-to-be for Etta’s sake. I realize things didn’t go as well as they might have, and you might have seen my ugly side. While I can’t say that’s not part of me, it is not a big part and not how I feel about you or Katie. I went for a walk to calm down. So, I wouldn’t take my mood out on you or Katie.” “Oh,” Ashlyn said, getting a hold of herself. It was a small thing, but it told me that I was on the right track.
