Page 124 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t have volunteered if I thought I couldn’t do it. I do want to see what you have for safety, but considering it’s a daycare, I’m sure you have something in place.”

Bells got up, walked around the desk and hugged me. I felt her tears fall on my shoulders and pulled back. Bells hardly ever cried, and this worried me. I understood why Cade came to me now. It was clear things were starting to overwhelm her.

“Thank you, Violet. You don’t know how much you’ve helped me,” her voice cracked as she wiped the tears away.

“No more tears, okay? We’re all here to help, so use us.”

“Who told you?” she asked, sitting back down across from me.

“Will you be mad at them?” I wanted to know.

“No.”

“Cade told me last night. It was his idea that I take over the daycare.”

“Last night?” Bells looked confused.

“You were sleeping.”

“Oh.” A small blush appeared on her face. “I have to go help Charles, but can I come grab you when I have to go meet with Lydia?”

“Yep. I have to get my tablet, and then I’ll be ready.”

Once I gathered all the stuff I’d printed out, I walked out and went up the stairs. This was only the third day I was walking back to my room on my own and while my heart still raced when I reached the top, I was feeling really proud. I grabbed my tablet and then ran back down to the office, almost running into a hard body as I turned into the hall heading into the offices. Two hands shot out and steadied me, and I tried not to flinch at the contact.

“I’m sorry!” I said, trying to slap the tablet to my body so I didn’t drop it.

The scent hit me before I heard the voice of the body in front of me.

“It’s okay.”

I looked up to find Chris looking down at me, and my heart started thundering in my chest, his hands still on my shoulders. This was the first time I heard him speak since the day he broke up with me, and his scent and close proximity were sending butterflies everywhere on my body. The intensity of his gaze made me want to beg him to take me back, but remembering my promise, I took a step back, feeling cold once his hands dropped to his side.

“Sorry,” I repeated, running past him and into the office.

Bells came by a little later, and we walked out toward the daycare. It was only a ten-minute walk, and Lydia was waiting for us at the door. She opened the door and handed the keys to Bells before showing us around. Once she left, Bells looked around, and then back at me.

“What do you think?” she asked, fear and hope warring in her eyes.

“I think it could work. The kids don’t have to go outside, right?”

“No, it’s getting a little cool for the little ones. If you want to take them out, there’s a little area just outside that you can use. It’s got fencing.”

“Okay. If you’re okay with me locking the doors while I’m here by myself with them, Cade volunteered to be here during the drop-offs and pick-ups.” I took a deep breath. “I think I can do this.”

“You’re amazing, Violet,” Bells squealed, hugging me again.

We returned to the pack house and had a quick breakfast before Cade, Adam, Bells and I walked to the daycare. Bells left, but Cade remained for the next half hour as people dropped ten more kids off. It was noisy and chaotic for a little while as we got to know each other. It was overwhelming, but with Adam’s constant help in reminding me where everything was and supplying useful information about what each of the kids liked, we survived the first day.

I was exhausted by the end of the day, though, and I went straight to my room and collapsed, texting Bells that I would bypass dinner tonight. I snacked a lot throughout the day with the kiddos, anyway.

I woke up late in the evening from a nightmare with a sob. It took me a little bit to calm down, but when I heard Chris retreating from the other side of my closed bathroom door, my tears fell more rapidly. I missed him. I missed the smiles that he rarely gave anyone. I missed his corny jokes. I missed his arms around me, keeping away the nightmares. I missed his kisses.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bellarose

Violet was my fucking hero. While I dealt with the mess that was the grapes, she saved my hide. Well, she and Cade. He and John were now walking Adam and Violet every morning after breakfast and bringing everyone lunch to the daycare.

---