Page 37 of Unwrapping Romance

“Night, Jack.” She walked out of the room.

I was almost asleep when I heard Ellie crying for her mother. She wouldn’t stop, so I climbed out of bed and went to her room. Opening the door, she was sitting up with her knees to her chest, sobbing.

“I’m scared. I want my mom.”

“Well, she’s not here. I am, and there’s nothing to be scared about.”

“Can I sleep in your bed?” She sniffled.

I inhaled a sharp breath. I remember a time as a kid when I felt the safest in my parents’ bed.

“Sure, kiddo. Come on.” I picked her up and carried her to my room. Laying her down, I covered her with the blankets and told her to go to sleep. Climbing in next to her, I stared at her as her hands were in a praying pose and tucked under her cheek while her head lay on the pillow. What the fuck was I going to do?

The following morning, I got up, showered, and dressed before waking Ellie. She must have been exhausted because she didn’t move or make a sound while I was getting ready. As I was tying my tie, there was a light knock on the door.

“I went to Ellie’s room, but she’s not in there,” Sierra said.

I opened the door all the way and gestured toward the bed.

“She slept with you last night?”

“She was crying for her mother. I didn’t have a choice if I wanted some sleep.”

“I can either make breakfast or get her ready,” Sierra said.

“There’s no time for breakfast. You’ll have to call in an order and have it delivered to the office. Get her up and dressed. I’ll be downstairs waiting.”

I finished my coffee and looked at my watch. What the hell was taking Sierra so long? Walking up to my room, I stepped into the bathroom and saw Sierra putting Ellie’s hair in high pigtails.

“What do you think?” Sierra smiled when she saw me.

“We have to go.”

“I’m hungry,” Ellie said as I lifted her into the Escalade.

“I’ll have Eric drop you off at the diner around the corner from the office so you and Ellie can have breakfast,” I said to Sierra. “Eric will pick you up when you’re done and bring you to the office. Try not to take too long.”

I set my briefcase down and sat behind my desk. Pulling out my phone, I called my friend, Charlie Stone.

“Jack Atlas. How are you, my friend?”

“I’ve been better, Charlie. I need your help with something.”

“Anything. What is it?” he asked.

“I need to find someone. Who is that friend of yours you were telling me about?”

“Morgan Ashley?”

“Yes. That’s her. Can I get her number? I need to hire her.”

“Sure. Are you ready?”

“Yeah.” I grabbed a pen and wrote down her number as he rattled it off. “Thanks, Charlie.”

“You’re welcome. It’s been a while, Jack. We should go out for a drink.”

“Sounds good. Let me know a day and time, and I’ll be there.”

---