Page 18 of Untamed
“I bet you can.” I keep my smile easy so she knows I’m not upset. “It seems like you’ve done your homework on me.”
“I didn’t mean to do homework on you.” She gives me an almost sheepish smile. “It’s more like gossip about the Bradshaw brothers is pretty hard to avoid around here.”
That’s probably more accurate than I want to think about. It’s strange when everyone knows who you are. Handy at times, but strange. “I’ve been told I’ve got a little bit of a reputation.”
Ruth snorts. “A little bit?”
Helping Birdie down off her seat at the picnic table, I decide to rip off the Band-Aid and address the elephant in the room. “Is that why you thought you’d be able to convince me we slept together?”
Ruth looks away, seeming a little embarrassed.
Or maybe even ashamed.
“I’m not a bad person.” She snaps it out, tone defensive.
“I didn’t say you were.” I don’t get that vibe from her at all. All I see is a mother willing to do whatever it takes to provide for her child. It’s what every kid deserves, but doesn’t always get.
Ruth huffs out a breath, like she’s annoyed by the conversation. “I honestly never expected you to know I was lying. I assumed you wouldn’t remember every single interaction you’ve ever had.”
Now, that hurts my feelings a little. Bothers me way more than her trying to use me for money ever could. “So I’m notsupposed to think you’re a bad person, but you aren’t going to offer me the same benefit?”
“It’s not about being a bad person. You’re just—” She waves one hand around where I stand. “You. Everyone knows you’re just out to have fun, so I assumed?—”
I scoff. “You assumed I’m an asshole who doesn’t give a shit about the women he takes to bed.” Not wanting a relationship and using women for sex are two totally different things, and I only partake in one of them.
“Ash ho.” Birdie grins up at me, clearly proud of her mimicking skills.
Ruth holds both hands out, eyes widening on my face, giving me asee what you’ve done? look.
I knew I was going to struggle with watching my mouth around the twins. But like so much else, I believed I had time to work on it. It’s yet another timetable I’m going to have to move up.
If Ruth and I can find a way to make this plan work.
And I want it to work. I still believe Ruth is the perfect person for the job. She clearly isn’t a huge fan of mine, and definitely doesn’t think the best of me, so it’s not like she’s going to want anything more. Plus, she’s leaving town soon, putting a limit on how long this can drag out.
All I have to do is convince my mother I’m desperately in love so she’ll believe I’m heartbroken enough to leave me alone once Ruth and Birdie move to Maryland.
“Let’s get you girls back home.” Reaching one hand out, I let Birdie grip my fingers for balance as we slowly walk our way back to their building. The trip is nearly silent, and by the time we arrive, I’m pretty sure Ruth has decided against helping me out.
If she has, so be it. I’ve already decided I’ll be giving her what she needs to move regardless. There’s not a lot of opportunity around here, and I want to help her move up and move on.
After a painfully long trip to the third floor—since Birdie refused to be carried—I linger just inside the door, waiting for Ruth to tell me she’s changed her mind so I can write her a check and figure something else out. I watch as she helps Birdie wash her hands and face, then takes off her shoes and snuggles the toddler into bed, switching on a toy that plays music while illuminating with a soft glow.
After flipping off the lights, she comes to where I’ve been hovering, smoothing both hands down the front of her shirt before lifting her eyes to mine. “So how do you want to do this? Do I just need to meet your family and hang out at your house a couple times?”
I can’t hide my surprise. “You’re still in?”
“Of course I’m still in.” Her eyes move around her empty apartment. “In case you haven’t noticed, I really need the money.”
I know it’s a terrible idea, but I can’t stop myself from admitting, “I’ll give you the money anyway, Ruth. You don’t have to do anything to earn it.”
Ruth’s gaze jumps to my face, eyes so wide her long lashes nearly touch her brows. “What? Why would you do that?”
“Because you need it. Because you’re a good mom. And because I want to help you and Birdie live a better life.” The explanation is pretty simple to me, but it only seems to confuse Ruth more.
“No.” She frowns. “That wouldn’t be fair. I said I would help you, so I’m going to help you.”
I chuckle a little at the about-face she’s made. “That’s a pretty big change coming from somebody who showed up on my doorstep twenty-four hours ago planning to trick me into believing I had a secret love child.”
