“Work stuff?” Larissa’s voice was sympathetic.
Taryn hesitated. While she didn’t like talking about her personal life, she and Larissa were friends.
“It’s the guy,” she admitted.
Larissa scooted forward on her seat. “Seriously? Wow. You don’t usually let them get to you enough to keep you up at night. Start at the beginning. You said hi and he said hi.” She paused expectantly.
Taryn laughed. “Okay, then. How we met isn’t important.”
“It might be to me. I have no love life. I have to live vicariously through yours.”
“That is just plain sad.” Taryn picked up her coffee and took a sip.
“It’s the orchid guy,” Larissa said, perking up. “The bodyguard school person. You said he couldn’t own a grocery store, which I thought was unfair because he was just so nice that way.”
Taryn sighed. “You’re insane, you know that, right?”
“I refuse to accept that. So what happened?” Larissa paused. “Or didn’t happen?”
“I’m not sure. It’s both.” Taryn thought about their dinner. There’d been no shortage of conversation or sexual tension. “He confuses me.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Me, either. Just to make it all interesting, he needs my help with an unexpected project.”
She told Larissa about the FWM and Angel being a Grove Keeper. “With Kenny and Jack trying to land the [email protected] account, I’m going to have to suck it up and go camping. We’re sharing knowledge.”
Taryn waited for Larissa to burst out laughing. It wasn’t as if Taryn knew much about little girls. Or children of either gender, for that matter.
Instead Larissa sighed. “Those girls are going to adore you.”
“Really? Because I’m kind of nervous about it. At the time I thought it would be fine, but then I started thinking that kids aren’t exactly my strong suit.”
“Don’t,” her friend told her. “No doubts allowed. You’ll be straightforward with them, and they’ll love that. Plus, if things get too quiet, show them your shoes and you’ll win them over.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Taryn had never thought much about children. Her unexpected and brief pregnancy had terrified her, but before she could figure out how she was going to be a decent parent when she’d never seen one in action, she’d lost the baby.
“Enough about me,” she said firmly. “How are you doing?”
“Great. I’m all moved in and getting to know the town. People are friendly here. I like that.”
“You would,” Taryn told her. “I have to say the boys are better now that you’re here.”
“I live to serve,” Larissa said with a grin. Then her smile faded. “Kenny is going to need surgery on his knee again. When it gets bad, I can barely touch it. I have to admit I don’t get the thrill of the game. Sure, it’s wonderful while it happens, but then the guys have to deal with the consequences.”
There was plenty of pain to go around, Taryn thought. “You know they wouldn’t give up what they had for anything.”
“Glory days,” Larissa said. She glanced around, then lowered her voice. “But don’t you think it’s strange none of them are married?”
“Sam was and that was a disaster.”
Larissa pressed her lips together as if trying not to laugh. “I know,” she managed. “It’s very sad.”
“Stop it,” Taryn told her. “Come on. The poor guy can’t cut a break when it comes to women. Oh. Speaking of Sam, have you heard anything about him and Dellina?”
Larissa shook her head. “I didn’t know they’d been together.”
“I don’t think they have been. Not romantically. But there’s something going on. You know the guys want to have that big weekend party for the clients, right?”
Larissa rolled her eyes. “Of course. Sam asked if I would help pull it together. There’s no way I could handle something like that. I’m great at what I do, but an expensive party at a five-star hotel isn’t really my thing.”
“Now, if it was a hamster rescue,” Taryn teased.
“Get off me about hamsters. But yes, that is sort of my point.” Larissa frowned. “Dellina’s an expert. Sam loves experts.”
“Right?” Taryn leaned toward her. “I’m telling you, there’s some secret there. Sam isn’t going to tell me, so I guess I’ll ask Dellina directly.”
“I want to know every word.”
“I will share because I sense it’s going to be delicious.”
Their server appeared with their breakfasts. Taryn had gone wild and ordered Applesauce Stuffed French Toast, what with not eating dinner the previous night. Having a man make her feel the way Angel had and then not do anything about it tended to spoil her appetite.
As she picked up her fork, she smiled at her friend. “So, what are you rescuing this month? Obviously not hamsters.”
Larissa shook her head. “Not even close. I’m going to be transporting some endangered reptiles.”
Taryn shuddered. “On purpose?”
“It’s just a few trips down to a facility better able to handle them.”
“How do all the causes find you? You must be on every mailing list in the state.”
“I like to help,” Larissa said calmly. “It’s the right thing to do.”
“It’s frequently horrifying. Reptiles? Can you stick to things with fur?”
“Reptiles need love, too.”
“Not from me.”
* * *
ANGEL CLICKED ON his mouse. He’d used a basic CAD program to design an obstacle course for a corporate client. The problem was Justice thought it was too difficult for the average desk jockey. While Angel understood the theory of leaving clients alive so they could come back another time, without real danger, where was the fun?
“Wimps,” he muttered, and made a few more changes. While he wasn’t willing to take out all the good parts, he could put in some places where those not in fighting shape could walk around.
Too bad Justice refused to let him toss live grenades to the side of the course. That would add motivation. He knew from personal experience. His personal best time for a quarter-mile run had been in Africa—while being chased by an angry rhino. Imminent death made for a great workout.
He made a few more changes, then saved his work and forwarded a copy to Justice for approval. He’d just logged in to his email program when someone knocked on his door.
He looked up and saw a tall redhead standing in his doorway. He would guess she was in her mid-to late twenties. Her eyes were green and her skin pale with only a faint dusting of freckles.
“Mr. Whittaker?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Angel,” he said, rising to his feet and wondering what she was doing here. She didn’t look as though she was at CDS to apply for a job. Most of their applicants were lean and muscled. This woman was carrying around an extra twenty-five pounds—although he had to admit, on her, the curves looked good. She also lacked that air of confidence that came from knowing you could kick somebody’s ass.
“I’m Bailey Voss. My daughter, Chloe, is going to be in your grove.”
He held back the curse words that immediately sprang to mind. He figured the practice was good for him, what with working around little girls.
“Yes, Mrs. Voss. Please come in.”
His office was small and windowless. He had a desk and a couple of extra chairs. He’d been offered something larger but hadn’t seen the point. He didn’t like working in an office, and no windows, plants or fancy decorations were going to make his computer time any better. He was the type who preferred to be doing.
“Thank you.” She offered him a shy smile. “Bailey, please.”
She took the seat he offered, then waited until he settled across from her.
She clasped and unclasped her hands. “My daughter is very excited about joining the FWM,” she began, not quite meeting his eyes. “She’s seven. She’s really smart and sweet but...” She bit her lower lip.
Angel was about to ask what was wrong when he realized she was fighting tears. They flooded her green eyes and one slipped out of the corner of her eye.
She cleared her throat. “Sorry. I’m a bit of a mess. The thing is, Chloe hasn’t been herself for a while now. Her dad, my husband, was in the army.” She flashed him a shaky smile. “He’s the reason we moved to town. He had an older uncle here, and Will and I didn’t have any family except for each other and Chloe. He was worried about us on our own while he was gone. So he suggested we move here, to be near his uncle. Where we could have a sense of community.”
She paused. “It’s been great here and Chloe made friends. She was really happy. Then nine months ago, her dad was killed and a few weeks later Will’s uncle passed. All that was rough on both of us. Once school started in September, Chloe seemed better, but over the holidays...” She swallowed. “We both had a difficult time.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Angel said automatically, glancing toward the door. He wanted to bolt. Barring that, he was hoping someone would walk in and interrupt them. Anyone would be better at this than him.
“Thank you. I thought maybe the FWM would be good for her and when she was enthused about it, I signed her up.” She looked at him and more tears filled her eyes. “I’m so worried about Chloe. She’s quiet and doesn’t spend much time with her friends. She’s only seven. I want her to be happy and enjoy her childhood. With the loss of her father, I’m not sure that’s possible.”
Angel knew he was in over his head. Little girls were bad enough, but now he was expected to deal with one who had lost her dad? No way. No frigging way.
“I didn’t want you thinking she was weird,” Bailey confessed. “She might need some extra time adjusting. I’m sorry to have to ask for special attention for her, but I don’t know what else to do.” She brushed away more tears. “When Mayor Marsha mentioned you’d served as well, I wanted to talk to you. Because I was hoping you’d understand.”
It took all his considerable strength to stay seated. Because what he really wanted was to run as hard and fast as he could and never look back. But that wasn’t an option. Not with Bailey staring at him with her big tear-filled eyes. And Mayor Marsha was an old lady. No way he could tell her what he really thought.
“Don’t worry,” Angel told her. “Chloe can have all the time she needs. The first season is only two months. I’m new, too. We’ll figure it out together.”
Bailey smiled at him. While he preferred his women a little older and a lot more difficult, he had to admit, it was a hell of a smile.
“Thank you,” she said. “You’re very kind.”
He wanted to point out he was a lot of things, but kind wasn’t one of them. Instead he nodded and stood. “I’ll keep an eye out for Chloe and let you know if there are any difficulties. All the girls will be new to the FWM, so they’ll all be thinking about fitting in.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought about that. Thank you.”
He nodded and waited until she’d walked away before looking at the wall and wondering if it would help to bang his head against it.
Consuelo strolled into his office. The raised eyebrows were enough for him to know she’d heard at least part of the conversation.
“They gave me little girls,” he grumbled. “Eight of them. I thought I was getting teenage boys.”
Consuelo sat on the corner of his desk. “You should be grateful.”
“I know how to handle boys.”
“Because of Marcus?”
He nodded.
“But you haven’t been around them since he died,” she said quietly. “I think you’re wrong. I think boys his age would have been a lot harder.”
He brushed off her words. “What do I know about little girls? They’re small and delicate.”
She grinned. “They’re not breakable, if that’s what you’re thinking. You’ll do fine. You’re good with kids.”
He glanced at her. “How would you know that? You’ve never seen me with a kid.”
“I’ve seen you with Ford. It’s pretty much the same thing.”
“Funny,” he grumbled. “Very funny.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“GIRLS,” JACK SAID. “Children.”
Taryn hung her suit jacket, then reached for the button on her skirt. They were in the women’s locker room. She wanted to point out the word women to Jack but as she was constantly in the men’s locker room, she knew he would simply mock her.
“Yes, seven-year-old girls who are, by definition, children.”
“And you.”
She unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor. After she stepped out of it, she picked it up and hung it on a second hanger, next to the jacket. Still wearing her silk blouse, she turned to face Jack.
He stood there, all big-guy tough, leaning against one of the closed lockers. Without her usual heels, she was significantly shorter, which she usually hated. Even so, she walked over to him and put her hands on his chest.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want our baby,” she began quietly.
His dark gaze locked on her face. “You didn’t.”
She winced. “I was young and we didn’t know each other well and I felt really bad about getting pregnant. There’s a difference.”