LITMIR.BIZ

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after all.

      “My mom will be home from her physical therapy appointment soon.” Skye crossed to the table in the breakfast nook, where a can of soda and a bag of chips sat between a laptop and a large calendar. Did she have another job she hadn’t mentioned? He shifted from one foot to the other, and kept his coat and his boots on, worried that one wrong move might earn him an icy stare.

      She slumped into the chair with a sigh, then shot him a look, her smooth brow furrowed. “Why are you just standing there?”

      “I’m waiting for my orders.”

      “What?”

      “My orders. You look stressed. Or busy. Maybe both. If you need to get some work done, I’d be glad to shovel the driveway or something until Connor wakes up.”

      “You don’t work for me.” She massaged her forehead with her fingertips. “I’m not going to ask you to shovel my driveway. Or boss you around.”

      Okay. He ducked his head to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. This was probably not the best time to mention that she’d been bossy since the first second they’d met. He took his time unlacing his boots and hanging his jacket on the rack near the door. How long did a baby sleep anyway? Hopefully not much longer. Gage needed Connor to wake up and save him from Skye and her fragile mood.

      He padded in his socks toward the table and slowly eased into the chair across from her. He wasn’t good with females and tears. No matter how hard he tried, he always seemed to say the wrong thing. Did she want to talk about it? She sure didn’t seem like she wanted his help. While he racked his brain for something safe to say, her phone chimed, and she pounced on it. She swiped at the screen, her eyes quickly scanning, and then she flung the phone back on the table in disgust.

      Oh boy. Gage wiped his sweaty palms on the legs of his jeans and braced for a fresh wave of tears.

      “Perfect. Just perfect.” She glared daggers at the phone and shook her head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

      “Do you want to talk about it?”

      “Connor got kicked out of the church day care today.”

      Well. That explained a few things. “Why?”

      “Bit another child. Third offense. They made me pick him up early.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she whispered.

      Please, please don’t cry. Gage’s knee bounced up and down under the table, and he scrambled for a pragmatic solution to get in front of her impending meltdown. “Can you appeal the decision?”

      “Tried that. The senior pastor just texted me and said the director of the program has the final say.” Skye reached for her phone again. “I really need to find someone who can watch Connor on a consistent basis. Most of the time he still takes two naps, so it’s just a few hours each day—and only until Mom gets some of her mobility back. I’ve called everyone I can think of, though.”

      You haven’t asked me. Gage clamped his mouth shut. What would she say if he offered?

      She frowned, shaking her head as she scrolled some more. “Mom wants me to hire someone to manage the store so I can stay with Connor, but we just don’t have any wiggle room in the budget...” She heaved another sigh. “And I don’t have the heart to tell her about our financial situation right now, on top of everything else she’s dealing with.”

      Her troubled gaze toggled to him. “Sorry to dump all this on you. Probably way more than you wanted to know.”

      Not true. He did want to know because he honestly wanted to help, and although the sheen of moisture in her beautiful blue eyes had subsided, he was going to tread lightly. She seemed guarded—suspicious, even—of his intentions. He really didn’t want to blow his chance at being in Connor’s life, or risk ignoring his pledge to Ryan. And what if word got out of Connor’s situation and someone called social services?

      Adrenaline slammed into him at the mental images that scenario conjured.

      She narrowed her eyes. “What are you thinking?”

      He shifted in his chair. Here goes nothing. “I—I know you’re in a bind, and I totally get that you might have issues with accepting help from strangers—”

      “I do not.”

      Really? Gage silently cocked an eyebrow.

      She ducked her chin. “Okay, maybe a little.”

      “My schedule is flexible until I start the practical portion of my training, and I’d be glad to stay with Connor whenever you need me to.”

      She picked at her thumbnail and avoided his gaze. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

      “Why not?”

      The sound of Connor crying came through the baby monitor resting on the kitchen counter nearby.

      Lousy timing, kiddo. Gage studied her, hoping she wouldn’t use that as an opportune time to escape the conversation.

      “I’d better get him.” Skye’s phone chimed again, and she picked it up, glanced at the screen, then pushed to her feet and hurried down the hallway.

      “Skye—”

      She didn’t turn back, and a minute later, he listened through the monitor as she spoke to Connor and his crying ceased.

      Gage tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling. No, he didn’t have any experience with babies. Or children at all, really. His brief stints in and out of temporary foster care placement had left a scar, though, and he couldn’t fathom letting Connor grow up without consistent, stable male role models.

      He smoothed his hand over his close-cropped hair and silently prayed for the words to change Skye’s mind. Ryan was the closest thing to a brother he’d ever had and being a part of Connor’s world was the only way Gage could express his gratitude for the bond they’d shared.

      * * *

      No, no, no. Skye’s fingers trembled as she knelt on the floor beside Connor, trying to keep him from wiggling out of reach while she changed his diaper.

      While Gage’s story about his connection with Ryan seemed legitimate, and the photo he shared lined up with what little McKenna had shared about Connor’s father, was Gage really the solution to her babysitting needs? What if she accepted his offer and he decided it wasn’t for him? He said he was committed to being involved in Connor’s life, but did he even know what that meant? She’d never forgive herself if Connor was hurt because she’d made a hasty decision. The wounds were still raw from the last time she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable. Suffering the consequences of her poor decisions was one thing, but what if her choices impacted an innocent child, too?

      The thought made her stomach churn.

      Out in the living room, she heard the front door open and Mom exchanging greetings with Gage. Connor’s eyes followed her as she tossed the diaper in the trash. She pushed to her feet, eager to get back to the other room before Gage had a chance to woo her mother. Connor sucked loudly on his thumb while she lifted him off the floor. “Let’s get a snack, sweet pea.”

      She strode down the hallway with Connor in her arms. Mom and Gage sat at the table, talking quietly. What had she missed? Fatigue lined Mom’s face, and Skye cringed inwardly. Although she was probably trying to be a good sport and chat with Gage, Mom normally went straight to the couch and elevated her leg after physical therapy.

      “Hi, Mom. How was your appointment?”

      Mom gave her a tired smile and reached over to give Connor’s leg a gentle squeeze. “It was all right. My therapist pushed me hard.”

      “Would you mind holding him while I fix his snack?” Skye hovered near Mom’s shoulder. She hated to ask her to do anything extra, but maybe Connor wouldn’t cry if he snuggled with Mom.

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