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Kiplyn left the baby with her new nanny, although she’ll only be working half days for probably ever. I don’t blame her. I’m wondering how I’m going to survive a full day’s work pregnant, let alone after I have the baby.
“No,” I whisper.
I’ve been to counseling. I have a doctor. I’ve had ultrasounds, and I know that the baby is healthy, and so am I, although we decided to keep the gender a secret. So I don’t know what I’m having.
I’ve called all my clients and explained a bit of the situation, though not everything, because, no way would they believe me. Also, I don’t need anything that connects me or the Devil’s Hellions to thefirethat killed over a dozen men.
Half of my clients have already moved on, which I knew would be a possibility, but half have said they can’t wait to come back. Kiplyn’s clients are all still hers, as she was on a planned maternity leave and didn’t just vanish into thin air.
I glance around the salon. My lips in a huge smile at the sight. It’s so gorgeous. I couldn’t have redecorated it this way myself. And as much as I loved my old salon decor, this is better.
Inhaling a deep breath, I hold it for a moment, then let it out slowly as Kiplyn and Piper start turning things on, opening others up, and chattering around the room. When there is a noise over the door, I jump, my anxiety filling me.
Until I find his eyes.
Lance stands in front of me, carrying a drink tray in one hand and a white box in the other. “What are you doing here?” I ask on a whisper.
He chuckles, then jerks his chin to the side. “You want me to leave? I’ll go.”
He turns around and takes a step toward the door, and my heart slams against my chest a few times before I hold out my palm toward him.
“No!” I shout. “Stop.”
He spins around and moves toward me, although he doesn’t hand me the drinks or the box. Instead, he sets them on the reception desk, then cups my cheeks before his mouth presses against mine.
“I wanted to make sure you were good, buttercup.”
“I’m good,” I lie.
“No, you aren’t,” he murmurs against my lips, “but you will be.”
Lance’s tongue slides across my bottom lip before he lifts his head and releases my cheeks. Reaching past my shoulder, he picks up one of the coffees, then takes a few steps back from me, his gaze searching mine before he speaks.
“Coffees and muffins from the café across the street to get your first day back up and running,” he announces loudly enough that Piper and Kiplyn can hear.
They gravitate toward us almost instantly, their minds focused on food and coffee, which I can’t blame them for. My stomach rumbles even though I already ate breakfast. Lance chuckles, his eyes still on mine, never leaving, and that fills me with comfort.
This man loves me. He doesn’t just say the words, but he shows me as often as he can. This is what I always craved in life, this stability and kindness, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to have it all for myself.
“See you after work, buttercup.”
He touches his finger to my nose, then turns and starts to make his way toward the door. I call out to him, watching as he stops and spins around to look at me. He arches a brow, tilting his head to the side as his eyes find mine.
“Do you have that envelope?” I ask.
“Already sent off, babe,” he says with a wink.
The letter.
It was a thank-you letter to the car dealership that sold me my car when I was desperate. It was also a check for the difference that I know they discounted. That man helped me when I needed it, and he didn’t expect anything in return.
I couldn’t just accept that good deed without showing my gratitude. Plus, I had to let him know that I was safe… and happy.
He leaves the salon.
I can feel eyes on me, so I turn to see Kiplyn and Piper smiling at me, each holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a muffin in the other.
“What?” I ask.
