Page 14 of Edge of Danger

And if he knew she wasn’t a nanny, he’d take Walker away from her. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to do whatever she could to keep Walker in her arms.

So she lied. “I was thinking about my parents, I guess. They’ve been on my mind lately. I was feeling sort of sad. Missing them.”

“I guess being with Walker is only stirring that up more,” he mused.

Was he playing around? She didn’t think so—or maybe she didn’t want to think so. It was all too confusing, and she was so tired.

“Yes. I guess so.” She wanted to snuggle the baby closer but knew that might give her away.

“Well, I have nothing but good things to say about how he’s responded to you so far. Between you and me, you’re a godsend.”

“Thanks.”

This was it. The point where he’d drop thebuton her.You’re great with him, but I don’t need you. You’re a godsend, but we’d better not see you sneaking around here anymore.

“Are you free tomorrow?”

Her eyes popped open wide before good sense told her to cool her surprise. “Yes. I am.”

“What about the rest of the week?” He offered a sheepish smile. Charming, even. “You see how busy we are around here. I’ve been scrambling for days trying to take care of him while getting my work done.”

“Absolutely.” She would’ve agreed to just about anything as long as it meant being with her son. “Whatever you need.”

It was almost a dream day. They’d even given her half of a sandwich and a cup of soup left over from lunch.

This was the safest and happiest she’d felt since Robert had taken their son from her.

But all good things came to an end. By six o’clock, the guys were preparing to leave for the night. She’d have to go too, even though she had nowhere to stay. She couldn’t hide in the ladies’ room until they locked up or camp under the conference room table.

“Good night. And thanks again for everything.” Brax waved one last time before he walked off toward a car parked close to the building. Tessa walked slowly away from the front door, and with a glance over her shoulder to check if he was watching, slipped into the shadows of the alley between the buildings.

He didn’t know she was watching. It was the best way to see how he treated Walker.

There was nothing to worry about. He was gentle with the baby, secured his seat in the car and spoke quietly to him. She couldn’t make out exactly what he was saying, but the specifics didn’t matter. He wasn’t harsh or cold.

She breathed a sigh of relief before retreating deeper into the alley so he wouldn’t see her when he drove past.

Where was she supposed to go now? She knew without counting there wasn’t enough left from yesterday’s tips to afford a hotel room, which was why she’d spent the night at the bus station.

She couldn’t go back there. The cops might pick her up this time.

That left the alley. It was secluded enough. Clean enough. There weren’t any rats, and it didn’t reek of urine.

It would do for now.

She set her bag down along the wall and settled in with it against her back, guarding what little she had against potential thieves. Her brain hummed with the joy of having held her son again, the memories from the day replaying over and over.

She fell asleep with a smile, sitting upright in a narrow alley.

Chapter Six

It had been a dream week. A week spent soaking in everything about her son. Playing with him. Cuddling him. Singing songs to make him smile. Studying every inch of him as he slept.

Taking every second she could get.

She’d also spent the week sleeping in the alley and freshening up in gas station bathrooms. Washing her hair in the sink of one had been...an interesting challenge. But it had been worth it because she had her baby. She would live the rest of her life in an alley if it meant spending time with Walker. Watching him grow. Loving him.

Maci was always the first to arrive at the office, usually carrying donuts or bagels when she did. Tessa would follow her inside, answering questions about her night with made-up stories before quickly turning the tables and asking the office manager about her night.

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