Page 70 of Guarding Over You
“For now, I’ll keep it with the other. I’ve got a picture of it here because it went to my attorney. This one will go along with the police and security report.”
“Attorney?” Tate asked.
She looked at Blaze. “My ex. We’ve had issues in the past. He’s never been in trouble with the law, but he’s had an addiction problem. He is on supervised visitations with our child and he wants more. Or his girlfriend does.” She looked at her watch. “I’ve got to get Gracie.”
“I’ll do it,” he said. “If you’re okay with it. I can bring her back and just play it down it’s a flat. Or I can bring her home and we’ll meet you there.” Tate lifted his eyebrow to that. “She’s my neighbor.”
“If you don’t mind,” she said. “I don’t want to rush this and I know it might take time, but I’m worried about her.”
“Don’t be. I’ve got you covered. Tell him everything about Billy. Everything, Arden. Even the doll and the fights you’ve been having.”
She sighed. “I will.”
He wanted to lean down and give her a kiss. It just came so naturally.
But he stopped himself. Instead, he reached for her hand, grabbed her fingers, gave her a little squeeze, and walked away to pick up Gracie, hoping she came with him without protest.
He pulled into the daycare center, went to the front and waited for the woman to turn. “Can I help you?”
“Dr. Blaze Ridgeway to pick up Gracie Bellamy.”
“Yes, Arden called and told us you were coming. We are very careful who can pick a child up from our care and has to be on the list and approved prior.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said.
“I’ll go get her.”
He waited to the side, looking down at his hand. He had hand sanitizer in his SUV and cleaned up his knuckle and all the dirt and grime before he got out. Burned like a bitch but was at least a reminder of what was at stake.
As if he couldn’t figure that when Gracie came walking out. No smile on her face, no bounce in her step.
She looked nervous, almost scared. It was the last thing he wanted and he was positive that Arden wouldn’t either.
“Hi, Gracie. Mommy sent me to get you. She has car trouble and is getting it fixed now.”
“She’s not hurt or sick?” Gracie asked, then turned to look at the staffer standing next to her.
“No, Gracie,” the employee said. “Your mom called to say something was wrong with her tire and she was waiting while it was fixed but was sending Dr. Blaze to pick you up.”
He liked how the worker addressed him that way. The name that only Gracie called him and she’d know it came from her mother.
“Oh,” Gracie said. “So we are going to see Mom now?”
“She’s going to meet us back at my place. What do you say we order pizza for dinner so when she gets home she doesn’t have to cook?”
“I love pizza. Yes, please,” Gracie said. “Bye, Miss Beth.”
“Bye, Gracie. See you Monday. Have a good weekend.”
Gracie’s small hand reached for his, her fingers curling trustingly around his much larger ones. Her palm all but disappeared inside his, soft and warm with a feeling that hit him like something sacred.
Angelic,he thought. There was no other word for it.
This little girl… she was becoming his world, piece by piece just like her mother already had.
And that realization settled deep in his chest, solid and unshakable.
Now, more than ever, he needed to keep them safe. Both of them.
