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“I get that. I just didn’t want you to think I’m weird or something.”
“All I want for you and your sister is to have happy and healthy lives with someone who treats you well.”
“I know. Love you, Mom.” She squeezes me a little too tight. “Can Sam stay over tonight?”
“We’ll see what your sister says. You’ll be staying with her tonight.”
“Ugh. Fine.”
“I think you owe her an apology.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
I drop my girls at Kimber and Nav’s place, along with my credit card.
As I drive away, I can’t stop the grin stretching across my face. Kiesha recovered from her meltdown quickly. I have another hot date with a great guy. Life is good. Better than good, it’s great. For once, things are going in my favor.
Next stop is the daycare to check in on Louella and the new hire, Marie. Then I’m going home and getting dolled up to spend the night with Prodigy. The idea terrifies yet excites me. Sure, when Hound and I were seeing each other, I liked him, but not on this level. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this giddy inside and out over a man.
Someone else is parked in my usual spot. Not a big deal. Probably one of the parents doing a drop off or pick up. I have to circle around the block a few times to find a space. Using my code, I bypass the security system and let myself inside instead of being buzzed in like everyone else. We take the safety of the kids under our care seriously.
The older kids are doing some arts and crafts with the younger ones at a couple of the tables. Louella is in the office and Marie, the new girl, is rocking one of the babies as she oversees the painting. I shoot her a smile and small wave as I head into the office to check in with Louella.
The woman has been a blessing. A former schoolteacher with over thirty years of experience working with children. She’s a friend of Slick’s mom, and we were more than thrilled she wanted a management position.
“How’s she doing?”
“Great. No problems. The dark-haired girl with the two braids is her daughter.”
My breath catches in my throat. Seated at the end of one of the craft tables sits a little girl who appears to be around four years old. She looks so much like my Kiesha did at that age. I have to do a double take.
“What’s her name?”
“Kieleigh.”
My stomach drops. “Pretty,” I murmur, remembering nearly eighteen years ago Adam and I arguing because I wanted to name Kiesha that. In the end he won but said if we had another daughter, we’d name her Kieleigh.
I’m sure it’s a coincidence, and the jerk is on my mind because of Kiesha’s run in with him.
That’s all it is.
“She’s a sweet kid.”
“I bet. Do you need any help, or are you guys all set for the day?”
“We should be fine. Sally will be here at six and Michelle comes on at nine.”
The way we set our shifts up, there’s always two to three people working, depending on the number of kids we have. Pam and I rotate being on standby in case of call outs or emergencies. Sometimes Kimber will fill in if we need her. We pay well and treat our caretakers good enough we rarely have issues. For now, things are running smoothly.
I look at Marie and her daughter, studying their features, wondering if I’m seeing things that aren’t there. The slope of the little girl’s nose. The streaks of red in her hair when the light catches just right.
Marie catches me staring, so I motion her to the office.
“Louella, can you take over for a few minutes? I’d like to get to know Marie a little bit better.”
“Of course. I think you’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will.” I offer her a timid smile.
