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“Of course I did. I wouldn’t be telling you about it if I hadn’t. That girl is going down the wrong road, and her mama needs to be taking her in hand before she ends up in prison.”
Melissa’s mother worked two jobs, the school cafeteria during the day and cleaning offices at night, to keep food on the table for her three children. At fifteen, Melissa was the oldest, and Tristan had already had a few run-ins with the girl. Miss Bauman was right. Melissa was headed down the wrong road.
“I’ll talk to her,” he said.
“See that you do.”
He chuckled as the biggest pain in his rear end marched out with her nose high in the air. Then inspiration struck. He stood, debated the wisdom of his idea, decided the hell with it, and caught Miss Bauman on the sidewalk. He was going to regret this, but...
“Miss Bauman, a few more minutes of your time.”
“What is it? I’m a busy woman.”
Busy his ass. She had nothing better to do than to spy on people and make her complaints lists. But maybe he could change that. “You know Mary Beth works two jobs to keep a roof over her children’s heads and food on the table.”
Miss Bauman nodded. “Commendable, but that doesn’t excuse her not keeping that girl—”
“You can help,” he said, cutting her off before she could get started on a tirade.
“Help? Why would I want to?”
Because you’re a lonely old woman who needs a kid in her life to brighten her days even if you don’t know it. And here’s a kid who is going down the wrong road, and maybe we can change her life. “Because I’m asking you to.”
“Asking me to do what?”
She was trying to be her snotty self, but he saw the interest in her eyes. Gotcha, lady. “I’m going to talk to Melissa about her stealing. That can’t be condoned. But the girl needs guidance. Her mother is doing the best she can, but we should offer help when we can, no?”
“I don’t see what I can do.”
“You can give Melissa a job so she’ll have money to buy earrings instead of stealing them.”
“Give her a job?” Miss Bauman looked at him as if one of Miss Mabel’s aliens had invaded his body.
“Right. Think how much easier Melissa can make your life, Miss Bauman. She can clean your house, cook your meals, and whatever else you want her to do for you. Maybe read your books to you.” The woman loved her books and spent half her days at the library as a volunteer. “But you’ll need to pay her. Not much, but enough for her to have a little spending money.”
“Why should I give her money?”
“Because you’re a nice woman,” he replied. She wasn’t, but he thought she could be with the right motivation, and just maybe this woman and that girl needed each other. “Besides, you can’t expect her to work for free.”
“I suppose not, but I don’t want a thief in my house.”
“How about I talk to Melissa, and then I’ll bring her by to talk to you? You can tell her what you’re expecting from her, and if she’s interested, the two of you can come to an agreement.” He’d make sure Melissa understood she didn’t have a choice in this.
She sighed, sounding as if he was setting the weight of the world on her shoulders, then gave him a perfect royal wave. “You may do that.”
He was tempted to bow and say, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The city wasn’t paying him enough.
“What are you doing?” his niece said, coming into the kitchen.
“Nothing.” Tristan pushed the bakery bag to the back of the counter, hoping he didn’t have a guilty look on his face.
“What’s in the bag?” She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see above the counter.
“Nothing you need to worry about. Did you lose your soft voice again?” Did all kids go through a shouting stage?
She giggled. “Yes! I lost it.”
