“There’s one in the shop that he uses and an outside shower.” He meets my gaze. “Not my story to tell. But he’s alright and a good guy. He and my son served together. We all got scars we live with.”
Don’t we though. I nod. After putting Paul’s and Ayla’s lunch on the table, I find a cookie sheet to use as a tray and carry a plate and drinks out to the front porch. Tossing a stick to a different dog, he sees me and nods.
“I brought iced tea and water. If you want a soda yell and I’ll bring it out. Do you need a bowl of water for the dogs?”
“I have one. Filled it from the hose but thank you.”
Ten minutes later my phone buzzes. “This is Jarrett. Wanted you to have my number. Lunch was great. Thank you.”
Ayla goes down for her nap and Paul and I make headway on entering past months’ accounts. Then we hit the last few months. Three weeks after Clive and JonBoy started, we start seeing discrepancies on every job they were on. I make copies to turn over to the Sheriff or a lawyer if it gets that far.
“Paul, this is not your fault. And it could have been worse. My professor had examples of much worse cheating and theft.”
He leans back in his chair. “I never knew your mom, but I knew other girls that got caught up with the Archer family. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get out from under them. You’re the first survivor. You need to be proud of that. There may be someone else out there that’s learning from your example. You never really know when some little thing we do saves someone else. We got your back now. Remember that.”
He stands. “Thank you for helping the night Sayer found out about MaryKatherine. It made things a lot easier.”
I nod, too choked up to say anything.
Later, Sayer texts that he’s on his way. He got tied up with the sheriff. He asks if Paul is still there and I inform him that his dad left about an hour ago, but Jarrett is on the porch.
I’d found enough stuff for a casserole and threw it in the oven. I learned early on that if I wanted to eat, I needed to learn how to cook, because neither my older sister nor mother were going to. As I combine the ingredients, I realize I’d learned a lot from MaryKatherine when I babysat for her, too. Hard to believe the little girl I watched back then now operates her own coffee shop.
I’m in the office when I hear a vehicle pull in. Looking out the window I see its Sayer. I open the door and call out to Jarrett. “Dinner will be done in thirty minutes. If we don’t see you, I’ll put a tray out.”
He waves in acknowledgement.
Sayer drops his boots on the porch and pulls off his socks. “Thank you. He appreciates that you think of him. I’ll take a fast shower.”
He kisses my forehead as he passes, pauses by Ayla and does the same before dashing up the stairs.
Suddenly I realize that more than my career and safety are at risk. This man could steal my heart. If he hasn’t already.
After we eat, he insists on cleaning the kitchen. I take Ayla out to the yard and let her run. Stone is right by her side as is Bella. The three of them engage in a run and stop game only they understand.
The last two days, Ayla’s seemed happier, more outgoing. Sayer joins us and joins in the running game. Ayla plops on her bottom laughing and giggling, climbs to her feet and takes off again. This time she stumbles and lands on her belly and starts crying. “Dada. Dada.”
He rushes forward scooping her up and checking her for injury. “Oh baby, I’m here. I’m here.”
“Dada,” she wraps her arms around his neck hugging him as she cries.
Realization washes over his face and tears steam down his cheeks. “Dada’s here, baby girl. Dada’s here.”
CHAPTER 13
Sayer
She knows. She knows I’m Dada.
Ayla wasn’t planned. She wasn’t even imagined. But I am forever grateful to have this little bundle of love in my life. I thought the dedication and protectiveness I felt for my teammates was all encompassing. It was nothing compared to how I feel about her. My joy. My precious gift. My life.
Stone is bumping my leg with his paw. “She’s okay big guy. She just fell.”
I squat down so he can inspect her for himself. She giggles when he licks her face. He relaxes. I relax. All is right in our worlds. Gentry nods and turns to go into the house.
She gave this to me. Dad told me what she’d been doing with the pictures and working with Ayla on the word Dada.
There is so much I want to say, to give to Gentry. I should keep it locked inside but after this, I don’t know if I can.
