Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
I bit the inside of my jaw to avoid smiling. "It did that a few times before it started, but it barely made it here."
Her shoulders fell. "Okay, thanks. I'll still need a tow," she said, the last part to herself as she settled back in front of the pancakes. "Thank you, Xavier, for taking care of that. It was nice of you."
I grunted a response.
"Eat your pancakes." After another few bites, she set the baby back in her carrier. "Did you hear that?"
"No."
She glared at me and let out a low grunt. "Are you always so chatty?"
"No."
She put her hand under the girl and moved her around, and then I heard it—the distinct sound of paper crinkling. "I heard it again!" She picked her up and held her against her chest while she lifted the floral padding to reveal an envelope. "That's probably for you."
I stared at the envelope that now sat on the table and stared at me like we were sworn enemies. "Okay."
"Okay? You're not going to read it?"
"I will."
"When?"
"Later," I answered and shoved a forkful of pancakes in my mouth, smiling at the look of disbelief on her face.
Rosalee stared at me for a long moment, trying to figure me out. Good luck with that. Half the time, I can't figure myself out. Finally, she shrugged, returned the baby to the carrier, and finished off her breakfast while mine remained mostly uneaten. "Well, I wasn't planning on starting work right after the interview, so I need to grab a few things."
I frowned. "Like what? From where?"
"Like things, you know: clothing and toiletries, a phone charger, a laptop, and other life necessities. From the place where I lived—or used to live—until today. Do you want an itemized list?"
"No," I barked.
She didn't shrink in the face of my attitude, which should've pissed me off, but instead, it only intrigued me more. "Okay, then. I'll call a tow truck and see if I can hitch a ride down the mountain with the driver. If not, I'll see if a rideshare will climb up here to pick me up. I'll grab my things and I should be back later this evening. Does that work for you?"
"No," I barked again.
Rosalee stared at me in confusion that quickly turned indignant. Her brows arched and a glint of anger lit her golden eyes. "Excuse me?"
"I can come down to pick you up. It's no problem." She shouldn't have to spend more money to get back up here when she would have to pay to have her car repaired.
She nodded. "That's sweet of you, Xavier, but I'm guessing you don't have an anchor for that car seat?"
"Shit," I bit out angrily. "I don't even know what that is."
"That's what I figured," she said in a way that coming from anyone else would've sounded like judgment. "If you can swing a few extra hours on your own, I can stop at the baby store in town and grab a few necessities before I come back, and you can just reimburse me in my first paycheck."
"No, that won't work." I pulled out my wallet and found the card I was looking for. "Just put it on this. Get whatever you think she'll need."
She laughed. "No, thanks. There's no store in this age of identity fraud that's going to let me use a credit card with someone else's name on it. That's the quickest way to see the inside of a jail cell, which I have to admit is not on my bucket list."
Dammit, a grin formed despite my best efforts. "Just call me if they give you any shit."
"Call you?" She folded her arms and stared at me. "I don't know where my phone is, and even if I did, I don't have your number."
I smiled and stood, retrieving her phone from my bedroom and joining her back in the kitchen. "I charged it and added my number. Under Xavier, not Mr. Holloway."
"Then I guess we're all set. For the record, you're paying my bail if I get arrested."
I laughed. "Deal."
"Okay." She bent and brushed a gentle hand over the baby's black curls. "I'll see you in a few hours, sweet girl. Hopefully by then, I'll have a name to call you." She stared at me pointedly when she said the last part before turning back to the baby, who smiled up at her. "Be good for your dad." With those words, she shuffled around the cabin for a few minutes, and then she was gone.
I sat there for a long time, processing her words.
Be good for your dad.
The envelope mocked me, and I knew I had no choice. I wanted answers, and some of them would be inside that thick envelope.
No time like the present.
I ripped it open and learned my fate.
Chapter 8
Rosalee
It was well after dark when the rideshare driver rolled into the long driveway that led to Xavier's cabin, and I was exhausted, bone-weary, and definitely done with shopping for the next few months, possibly ever. It had taken twice as long as anticipated at the big-box store that specialized in all things babies and kids. But I was confident I'd gotten all the things a little girl would need.