Page 22 of A Tempting Seduction

“That doesn't narrow it down much.”

Walker's laughter followed me as I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.

Suzy had stopped crying and was now fascinated by the buttons on my work shirt. Her little fingers traced each one with intense concentration. JR looked up from his Legos with the expectant expression that meant he was about to launch into one of his legendary question sessions.

God help me.

“Uncle Ford, why are you here?”

“I came to get coffee and heard you and Suzy.”

“Why did you want coffee?”

“Because coffee helps grown-ups wake up in the morning.”

“Why do grown-ups need to wake up?”

I bit back a smile and settled cross-legged beside JR and his Lego creation, careful not to disturb Suzy. “Because grown-ups have jobs to do, and we need to be awake to do them well.”

“Why do grown-ups have jobs?”

“So, we can earn money to buy things like food and houses and Lego sets.”

JR's eyes lit up. “I have a job to do. An it’s ’portant.”

“You do?”

“I’m ’sposed to help Miss Ruby watch Suzy. If I do, she’ll give me money.”

I smirked. She’d learned.

“Why did mommy think she was going to fow up?”

That had me sitting straighter. “Your mom was sick? Did she go home?”

JR shook his head. “She went on a view. She’s going to get a job. But she was going to fow up.”

I placed a red Lego brick on top of JR's creation, buying myself time as I pondered the fact that Fiona was out on a job interview. Good for her.

“Uncle Ford? Why was mommy sick?”

“I don’t think she was really sick, buddy. Does your tummy ever feel funny when you do something new and a little scary?” I watched as JR screwed up his face in concentration.

“When I played t-ball and I had to bat for the first time in a game. I felt really icky, remember?”

I nodded. “But you were a champ. You told that monster in your tummy that you were going to⁠—”

“I remember. I was going to bomb it into little pieces. And after I did, I batted really hard and the ball went really far.” JR was grinning and Suzy now had her fingers tangled in my hair. Pretty soon she’d be pulling. Hard.

“You sure did, JR. That’s what’s going on with your mom. She had a monster in her tummy, but she bombed it and now she went on an interview.”

Suzy chose that moment to snatch me bald-headed and plant a wet kiss on my cheek, giving me an excuse to redirect the conversation. “JR, can you show me what you're building here? This looks pretty impressive.”

“It's a robot truck.” He picked up a blue brick and snapped it into place with satisfaction.

The office door opened, and Ruby slipped inside. Her face showed the strain of whatever conversation she'd just had with Jordan and the customer. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath.

“Thank you.” Her voice was soft but full of genuine gratitude. “I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did.”