Page 27 of Luke

Chapter Twelve

Paisley

“Thank you so much for your time today, Paisley. We definitely want to move forward with having you complete those steps for us. We will send over a contract as soon as we get off the call.”

“I appreciate it so much. I’m happy to be working with you and your team going forward.”

The video call ended, and Paisley relaxed back in her new chair. These clients wanted her to do quite a bit of photo editing, one of the many things that she did freelance work for. The things they wanted would take quite a bit of manipulation, so she was charging more than her usual rate, but they’d agreed and she was thrilled.

She really should get up and go check on Luke and Garrett, but she sat and took in her new desk again. Luke had done a great job picking it out for her, and it was very her and blended into the office.

He was sharing his space with her, practically forcing her to share it with him. She felt bad after the other night and didn’t know how to move forward with him. It wasn’t like she’d meant to make him feel bad. She had only been voicing her concerns.

But Luke had only moved on like nothing had happened. He had recovered quickly from being upset with her and that had been the end of it.

The doorbell interrupted her puzzling out what to do next and she stood to go see who it was. She assumed it was Catherine, maybe Ryker, but he was a bit antisocial with everyone but Garrett, whom he adored.

“How can I help you?” She heard Luke’s gruff tone.

A muffled woman’s voice reached her, but she couldn’t make out the words.

“And what is the concern?” Luke asked.

Her stomach tightened. This was what his father had said he would do. She’d bet anything that it was someone from Child Protective Services about Garrett.

She approached Luke at the door, resting her hand on his arm, letting him know she was there.

“As I was saying, I don’t need to give you more information. I am here to check on the child and ensure that he is in no danger.” The woman had a sour face and looked angrily at Luke.

She tugged on his arm. “Let her in to look around, Luke. It’s not like we are hiding anything.”

“It’s just ridiculous that my father can just say a few words, from jail, and suddenly we are the ones being investigated,” he complained but stepped back and motioned for the woman to come in.

“Who are you?” the woman asked Paisley.

“I’m Paisley, Garrett’s mother.” She held out her hand for the woman to shake but she blew her off.

“And why didn’t you come to the door?”

“I was working, just wrapped up a meeting when I heard the doorbell,” Paisley answered honestly.

“Where is the child?”

“Garrett,” Luke interrupted. “His name is Garrett, not ‘the child.’”

“Yes. Where is he?” The woman dismissed him.

“He’s taking a nap. You are welcome to take a look but not to wake him up,” Luke said sternly.

They all went up the stairs and quietly looked in on Garrett. Never mind that there was a baby monitor with video on Luke’s hip anyway. The trip wasn’t needed in her opinion, but she didn’t say anything.

“And who was with him last night?” the woman asked as they went down the stairs.

“We both were,” Paisley answered. “We had dinner and then both worked some before going to bed.”

“Are you sure that Luke was here all night with Garrett?”

Paisley felt Luke stiffen behind her. “I am.”

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