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Brian knew they shouldn’t be here, he knew that he was failing at his job as Hayley’s bodyguard. If it was any other client they wouldn’t be here, he would have put his foot down and said a definitive no.
But this wasn't any other client.
This was Hayley.
And when she had said that she had to come because she needed to make sure that the little girl was okay after everything she had been through, he just couldn’t say no.
He just hoped that this wasn't going to wind up being a mistake.
It was time to go back home and get Hayley where he knew she was safe.
“Actually, honey,” he said to the little girl, “we have to go now.”
“Oh.” Kinsley’s face fell. “Can we play a game of Hungry Hippos before you go?”
Hayley looked to him, seeking his approval but he shook his head. He’d let her convince him to bring her here, but now it was time to do his job and take her home.
“I don’t think so, honey,” Hayley said.
“Are you going to come back?” It was clear in the last two hours Kinsley had become attached to Hayley. He wasn't sure that was a good idea.
“Of course I will,” Hayley assured the child.
“Oh, goodie.” Kinsley grinned and threw her arms around Hayley’s neck, hugging her hard. “When are you coming back? Tomorrow?”
“I'm not sure, but I will definitely come back, and next time I’m going to beat you in snap and go fish.”
Kinsley giggled. “I always used to beat Leah when we played games, I'm good at them.”
“You sure are. Okay, Kinsley, we’ll see you later. Why don’t we walk you down to the playroom and you can beat some of the other kids,” Hayley suggested.
“I want to stay here. Brownie and I want to read some more.”
“All right, see you later,” Hayley said the words but the look on her face clearly said she didn't want to leave. If he let her, she would probably spend the whole day here with Kinsley Turner. But right now, it was his job to keep Hayley alive, and he wasn't comfortable having her here. He had been on edge ever since they stepped out his front door and he wouldn’t relax until they were back inside his house.
“Bye, Hayley. Bye, Brian,” Kinsley said, picking up the teddy bear Hayley had given her and holding it tightly in her arms as she watched them leave.
They walked in silence back down the stairs and to the front door. “Stay behind me,” he reminded her before they stepped outside.
“Mmhmm,” Hayley said, it sounded non-committal, but he knew she would do it even though she didn't like it.
It wasn't until they were in the car and a couple of blocks down the road that he spoke again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that you go back and see Kinsley again.”
“What? Why?” Hayley demanded.
“Look how attached she was to you in just two hours. Once her father is found and in prison, she’ll either go back to her mother or she’ll be placed with a foster family. How is she going to cope if she’s become reliant on you?” He didn't want to fight with Hayley, and he didn't want to make her feel bad because he knew that she genuinely cared about every child in every case she worked, but he didn't want to see her get too attached just like he didn't want to see Kinsley get too attached.
“When I look at her, I see me when I was five years old,” Hayley said softly.
“I know you do.” Brian reached over and took her hand, squeezing it tightly. “Are you thinking of what it would be like to be her mother?”
Hayley’s eyes flew to his. “There is no evidence that Maria was involved in Leah’s death, she’ll no doubt get Kinsley back.”
“But if she doesn’t, if she enters the system, you want to take her.”
“I just want her to have a good life. I want someone to save her, I want her to be happy, and part of me wants to pay forward what my parents did for me,” Hayley admitted.
“I think that’s amazing, and one day you’re going to make such a difference in a child’s life, but I’m not sure that child will be Kinsley, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
