Page 37 of Tempted

“Once a child is in foster care, the state is the guardian of the child so they make all the decisions. This job means everything to me, Mr. Meade. I love the children too, but Star is my number one priority. That’s why I’m here. I want to make sure I can spend as much time with her as this job allows.”

He raised a brow at her challenge. “And if I say your priority lies with my children, what then?”

She lowered her head. “I hope you wouldn’t.”

“But this is what you signed on for, Jasmine. As a matter of fact, I’m wondering if I should be more than a little concerned about your revelation, because here I thought you had a sick child you were unable to have with you, but now you’re giving me another story altogether.”

Jasmine took a deep breath and exhaled. “I need to spend more time with her, and if something can’t be worked out…”

His heart raced. “Are you threatening to leave?”

She lifted her head, finally looking him in the eye. “No, but if it becomes a choice between my daughter and this job, I pick her.”

“Chelsea and Tyler would be upset if you were to leave.”

“I know, and I wouldn’t be happy to leave them, but I have to do what what’s best for my daughter. As a father, I hope you can understand my predicament.”

She had him there. He may not be able to lay claim to any father of the year awards, but he could appreciate her predicament. It wasn’t until Jasmine came into his life did he realize how much his children meant to him. Part of him that was scared to see her go wanted to simply relent but the responsible parent part of him made him ask the question that circled his mind. “What kind of trauma did your daughter suffer from? Was it some kind of accident, or did you—”

“No!” She shook her head vehemently.“I’d never do anything to hurt my baby. Star is my life.” Her adamancy left no doubt of her sincerity, but curiosity wouldn’t allow Victor to allow the subject to drop.

“Then what happened to her?”

She fumbled with a button on her shirt, her eyes cutting away once again. “Do we have to talk about it?”

“If you want to work something out as far as your job is concerned I think an explanation is the least you owe me.”

For a moment it didn’t seem as if Jasmine would speak, but finally she did. “I can’t. I’m sorry. But please believe me, I would never harm my child, nor have I ever. She’s everything to me.”

“Then why is it so hard to tell me what happened.”

“Because I’d rather forget it. Look, I wanted to clear things up with you so you would understand where I’m coming from when I ask for another day off as opposed to my one.”

Victor wanted to demand she tell him all of what was going on, but somehow he didn’t think she would. “You’ve put me in a bit of a quandary Jasmine.”

“I know. But I need this time with her.”

“Let’s compromise. You may bring your daughter here one day a week. That way she can be with you while you’re with Chelsea and Tyler.” Victor couldn’t believe he was making this offer at all.He was the employer, not the other way around and he was certain Jasmine wasn’t being 100 percent honest with him. It felt like this woman had cast some kind of spell on him.

A light entered her eyes. “Really? You wouldn’t mind her coming over?”

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your care of my children, I don’t see why not, but answer me this.”

“Okay.”

“Is there anything else you’re not telling me that should I should know?”

“No,” she said quickly. Maybe too quickly.

Victor gave her a long hard look, trying to determine whether she was telling him the truth. He considered himself a good judge of character, and Jasmine had more than proven her competency in handling the kids, so why did he get this niggling sensation in the back of his mind telling him to press the issue further?

“Okay. We’ll discuss exact arrangements later.”

She nodded, practically jumping out of her seat as if she couldn’t wait to get away from him.

“Jasmine, wait.”

She stiffened. “Yes.”

“There will come a time when we’ll have to deal with the other issue between us.”

Jasminestiffened. “No we don’t. Look, I have to go. I promised Chelsea I’d teach her how to play Uno.” And with that she retreated from his office without a backward glance, not giving Victor the opportunity to respond.

Any responsible employer would have pressed the issue, but if he did, Victor feared he might learn something which would force him to get rid of her and he didn’t have the heart to do that to his children. But more than upsetting his kids, he knew it would be just as hard on him if Jasmine wasn’t in his life.

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