LITMIR.BIZ

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business.”

      “I am too a mother! I know about—”

      “You are not! You have no kids!”

      “Yes, I do. I have six kids!” she yelled back, determined to win this argument.

      “You’re lying. Judge Robinson said you didn’t have any kids.”

      “Well, he’s wrong!”

      “So where are these six kids? The oldest couldn’t be more than twelve, if he’s that old!”

      “He’s twenty-eight!” she snapped.

      Jack stared at her. Finally, he said, “That’s impossible.”

      She looked away. Her voice was lower when she explained. “My children are my brothers and sisters. My mother died when I was twelve. I became the mother. Dad hired someone to come in and do the housework once a week, but I was responsible for cooking meals and overseeing homework. I was the mother.”

      “My apologies. I didn’t mean—Obviously, you have the experience of being a mother. But that doesn’t mean you should take over my child. She’s mine, and I make the decisions.”

      “I’m not trying to be her mother. I’m offering to help a little. It’s easy to be a mommy for a minute. Being mommy for the long haul is your job.”

      “Yes, it is. And we’re having lunch in the car.”

      Lauren raised her chin. “My sandwiches are very good.”

      “I’m sure they are.”

      “They’re much better than sandwiches prepared two days ago.”

      “You don’t know when they were prepared.”

      “At least let Ally have her choice.”

      “Fine.”

      “Then bring your sandwiches to the table and she can choose.”

      They all went down the hall, Ally holding Lauren’s hand. When they went into the kitchen, Ally asked how many cookies she got if she ate all her sandwich.

      “Three, just like yesterday, but I’m not cutting your sandwich into soldiers today. It would fall apart.”

      “Okay. Does Daddy get cookies, too?”

      “If he wants them. He seems a little out of sorts.”

      “Daddy doesn’t usually yell at me. I think he’s been working too hard.”

      “I see. Well, I hope he feels better soon.” While she talked, Lauren was serving lunch. She set a plate out for Jack, also, even though she thought he deserved to eat his prepackaged lunch.

      He came into the kitchen with a brown paper bag. Taking the two sandwiches out, he stared at the sandwich already on a plate in front of him. Then he looked at his purchases. “Look, you can’t keep making lunch for us.”

      “It’s not a problem.”

      “Yes, it is. I’m doing a job for you, not holding my hand out for charity.”

      “So reduce your price. I’ll make lunch for you and Ally every day and you take off the price of lunch. Maybe a whole five dollars per day.”

      “Fine. Five dollars a day!” With that, he sat down in the chair and picked up the warm sandwich to eat.

      “Wait, Daddy! We have to say our prayer,” Ally said.

      “Oh, right, baby. Sorry.” He bowed his head and Ally said a simple prayer.

      Lauren was impressed. “That was very nice, Ally.”

      “Daddy taught me.”

      “Your daddy did a good job.”

      “Does that mean Daddy gets cookies, too?”

      Lauren shot a look at Jack, who was stolidly chewing his sandwich, not looking at either of the females.

      “Your daddy gets cookies…if he wants them.”

      She knew he was listening because he shot her a glance that she couldn’t read. But he said nothing.

      Ally leaned toward her father. “They taste good, Daddy. You’ll like them.”

      “Thank you, baby. I’m sure I will,” he muttered.

      Lauren thought his words were encouraging. She ventured another suggestion. “Mr. Rogers starts in a few minutes. Would it be all right for Ally to stretch out on the sofa for her nap and watch that show until she falls asleep?”

      “She might get the sofa dirty.”

      “I’ll put down a sheet so she’ll be comfortable. I’m afraid your hammering might make it hard for her to sleep in the office.”

      “Fine.”

      Then she passed him the plate of cookies. After hesitating, he took two.

      “I think you might want more than that. The cookies are small.”

      He took another four. “I’ll eat these while I’m working. Thank you for lunch.” He stood to leave, then he thought about his daughter. “Ally, go right to sleep, okay?”

      “Okay, Daddy.” Her smile was big.

      With an irritated look for Lauren, he strode out of the kitchen.

      “I think Daddy is still mad.”

      “No, sweetie, he’s just frustrated.”

      “What does that mean?”

      “It means, uh, Daddy wants things to go one way but they’re going the other way.”

      “But I think he liked the cookies,” Ally said, a hopeful sound in her voice.

      “Yes, I’m sure he did. Now, we’ve got to get you settled for your nap.”

      JACK TRIED to concentrate on his work, but Lauren’s confession about her motherhood stayed with him. It took a lot for a person to raise her brothers and sisters.

      And here he’d maligned her in his mind. He’d thought she was just being bossy, but instead she was quite experienced. As well as being beautiful. He’d noticed that at once, when she’d first opened the door. So if she was so sweet, why was she called The Shark?

      Judge Robinson, who wasn’t really a judge anymore, but had once been one, felt that term was one of admiration. He should know since he was the attorney in charge of the law firm. But Jack had thought it was one of disrespect.

      Maybe he needed to visit with the judge. After all, Lauren seemed to be spending a lot of time with his daughter. And what was he going to do for tomorrow? Was he going to have to bring Ally with him again?

      He gradually lost himself in his work. Loving the work he did was a big benefit. It made the days fly by. Then he had the evenings with Ally. She was such a sweetheart, making him feel fortunate to have his little girl.

      So he was feeling good again when the door opened. He turned to see the woman from his thoughts.

      He put down his tools. “Is Ally causing a problem?”

      “Of course not,” she told him calmly. “But I want to talk to you, please.”

      “About what?” he demanded.

      “About Ally. You see, I don’t have enough to do right now, and I thought maybe you could continue to bring your little girl and I could take care of her. It doesn’t require much time, since she watches Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers and takes a nap.”

      “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

      “Why? Do you have a place you can leave her?”

      “No, but I’ll find one.”

      “So

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