Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“There was no signal in that building,” I say. “For security purposes, we had to hand over all cell phones.”
“She left as soon as she got the call and got here maybe a couple of minutes before you did. She had this delivered while she went to get her,” Loren continues with her voice low. “I sent her home.”
“Yeah,” I say, without saying one more word. I’m going to address this in the morning when I’ve calmed down a bit. “We’ll talk in the morning.” I walk over to Meadow. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” She holds up the juice box for me and gets down. “Daddy.” She looks up at me. “My bunny.”
“Where is it?” I ask, looking around.
“I had it in the fairy girl’s car,” she says softly.
“We can get you another one.” I squat down in front of her. “We’ll order you another one.”
“But, Daddy,” she whines.
“Here.” I look over my shoulder and see Grace walking into the room. She must have changed her top because she’s wearing a big white T-shirt. She doesn’t even look at me. “I found this in the car and thought you would want her back.” She talks just to Meadow, who squeals and smiles.
“My bunny!” She grabs it from Grace’s hand and brings it to her chest, hugging it. “Thank you,” she says, and Grace just smiles.
I can see her eyes are red and so is the tip of her nose, and it looks like she was crying. “You are so welcome.” She tries to put on a brave face, but I can see the sadness in her eyes. She turns right away, avoiding looking at anyone in my office as she walks out with her head down.
“Caine,” Loren admonishes, and I just shake my head, scooping Meadow into my arms. “Here, take this,” Loren suggests, grabbing the bag. “There is also some chicken soup and saltines in there.” I grab the bag from her. “Grace ordered it before she left to go get her at daycare.” I feel like someone just kicked me in the balls wearing spiked shoes.
I walk out of my office. I’m not even out of the parking lot before my phone rings, and I see it’s Nash. I answer it reluctantly. “Caine.”
“Yeah, I know who I’m calling,” he retorts as I put the phone to my ear. “Care to explain to me why Loren just called me and told me you were an asshole to Grace?”
“Nope,” I say, ignoring that he’s one thousand percent right.
“Well, too bad. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“What is wrong with me?” I snap. “What is fucking wrong with you? How could you let that girl go and pick up my daughter?” Even saying the words, they feel like acid on my tongue.
“Number one, that woman,” he notes, “was beside herself, freaking the fuck out because your child was sick, and no one could get ahold of you. I thought she was going to have a fucking heart attack. That’s the kind of girl I let pick up your daughter.”
“Well, you should have called someone else,” I growl, knowing there was no one else. None of my family is in town.
“Yeah, they were going to miraculously appear from across the country to get Meadow. You’re a dick,” he chastises. “You better apologize to her.”
“Don’t tell me how to handle my staff,” I hiss.
“Well, just so you know, if she quits,” he warns, and the thought alone makes me grip the phone so hard in my hand it’s a wonder it doesn’t snap. “I’m going to make sure she works here with me.”
“Fuck you,” I curse, hanging up the phone, because that’s the mature adult I am. I toss my phone in the passenger seat as I make my way home. Once home, I get Meadow into a bath and put fresh pj’s on her. I put my shorts on and a T-shirt before cuddling her on the couch.
The minute I sit down, my mind plays the scene over and over in my head. That along with Nash’s words make it hard for me to even see straight. Maybe it’s the fact Meadow’s mother was never the cuddly type. Maybe it’s the fact I’ve never, ever pictured a woman holding my child as if she was her own. Maybe it’s the fact that thought alone scares the fuck out of me. It’s making me lose my damn mind.
Even the next day when Mrs. Potter arrives to watch her, she doesn’t hug her. She smiles at her and taps her shoulder. It’s been me this whole time. Me who did the cuddling, me who consoled her. Just me and Meadow and we were happy.
Pulling into the parking garage, I notice her SUV isn’t here, but I try not to think too much about it. Even when I step off the elevator and walk around the corner, my head doesn’t want to look toward her desk. I know I have to tell her how sorry I am. I’m just not sure how to do it. Only when I get close enough to my office do I lift my eyes. My feet stop in my tracks when I see the redhead sitting behind the desk. “Who are you?” I ask.