Page 72 of The Rogue

“Maybe sheisthree years old,” Chase chuckles, clearly amused.

Pepper drags Tessa back onto the patio. Pepper with her beer and my nanny with a glass of water. “So? What do you think? It’s super cute in the dark with the tree lights.”

“I love it. It’s very you. Can’t wait to see it at night.”

“What nights do you have off? I’ll call Charlie. We’ll have a girl's night.”

“And where the hell am I supposed to go?” Chase argues.

“I hear there’s a lovely little Inn in town.” She bats her lashes, and now it’s my turn to laugh at him.

“Um…I don’t know,” Tessa answers.

I tap her arm gently with the back of my hand. “You can have any night you want. I really only need you with Jackson during the days.”

Noah leans back in his seat. “That’s true. It’s not likeyouever have plans.”

I ignore the dig and focus on Tess. “Really, it sounds like fun. Just let me know.”

Tessa doesn’t respond, but Pepper jumps from her seat. “Eek, I’ll call Charlie. Oh, and maybe Lonnie.”

Noah’s brows jump again, as if an opportunity presented itself.

I shoot him a warning glare.

Jackson pops his head back out. His lips now suspiciously purple and a blue popsicle in his hand. “Tess, now can we go to the park by the school?”

Tess stiffens. “Oh…um…you know…it’s going to get dark soon. We’ll go somewhere tomorrow.”

Jackson sighs and heads back in. I straighten my spine trying to remember the last place they went. The last time Jackson talked about where they’ve been. It hasn’t been in days.

That can’t be right.

Tessa stands. “I’m going to go make sure he’s not sneaking in a third popsicle…”

“Hey, Chase, can I leave Jackson here for a bit? Need to take care of something.”

Chase's eyes flick to Tessa inside. “Take your time…”

“If I’m not back in two hours, bring him back to the house.” Ignoring both my brother’s stares, I follow her inside.

“Hey, Tess,” I call softly, feeling like she tenses when I’m around.

She twirls like she expected me. “Hey. Sorry, we ran out of Italian ice at the house, and Pepper said she had some…”

I open my mouth, but she cuts me off. “He had lunch. Chicken salad, and I cut his juice with water.”

I catch her wrists. “Tessa.” She freezes at my touch, her eyes dropping to where we’re connected. “It’s fine. I was actually going to ask if you could run a quick errand with me in town.”

“Oh. Okay, let me just grab him.”

I tighten my grip. “No. Just you and me.” I scan her outfit. One of the three I’ve seen her wear in the past week and a half she’s been here. “I need to get some new clothes for Jackson. Could use your help.”

“Sounds good.” She checks her watch. “You think we can leave him with Pepper and Chase?”

“Already taken care of.” I lead her out of the house and toward the driver’s seat of my truck.

She stiffens. “What are you doing?”

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