Page 50 of Daycare Santa

Gina sat up and removed her purse from the other visitor’s chair to avoid going down that dead-end road. “I’ll think about it.”

Nodding, Marlene slipped the papers into a file jacket. “Do that, but remember you don’t have time on your side. She wanted you out last week.”

“How can I forget?” She shook her head, then stood. “Thanks, Marlene. Talk soon.”

She let herself out of the office and into the sunshine. Although the sun was at its height, this time of year the breeze carried a chill.

After checking the time when she sat inside the van, Gine decided to pick up Luca. Today’s event was a luncheon that ended before she visited Marlene.

A ball of resentment swelled in her chest. These problems she was now wrangling were costing her, including lawyer’s fees that weren’t in her budget.

No matter how tight things were, she wouldn’t think of asking her parents to help. She just couldn’t do it. They had sacrificed to give her and Seya the best of everything. They deserved to enjoy their retirement without adding baggage from the children’s entanglements.

Gina thought through all she might have to do in the next couple of days to solve her problems, but didn’t have the answers when she arrived at the daycare.

The holiday vibe was in full swing at Wintertime. The tree was lit and cheerful music came from hidden speakers. When Gina walked in, Lizette and Emily stood at the counter.

Lizette’s face lit up as she greeted Gina. “You’re early today. Come to deprive me of Luca’s company?”

“I’m sure he’ll be brokenhearted.” Hand on her hip, Gina continued, “I may think hard about picking him up early after this, since he’s in such high demand.”

The women chuckled as Emily approached the door. “I’ll get him ready.”

Lizette turned a curious gaze on Gina. “You’ve done a number on my brother.”

The comment didn’t call for an answer, yet Gina didn’t know how to respond. A dozen thoughts whipped through her head before she blurted. “Or, you could say he’s done a number on me.”

“It’s all good if the two of you feel the same way about each other.” Nodding her approval, Lizette snickered. “Of course, he’d tell me to mind my business if I asked him anything about his relationship with you.”

Glancing at the doorway, Gina asked, “What made you think I wouldn’t do the same?”

“You’re too nice a person, according to him.”

“I’d say he doesn’t know me very well.”

“Really?” Lizette studied Gina as if she were an exam paper she needed to pass. “You wouldn’t know it by the way he talks about you.”

“Mommy.” Luca burst from the side door into the foyer and handed Gina his backpack and lunch kit. “How come you’re here already?”

She rubbed his head while she asked, “Didn’t you want me to come?”

“Yes, but I was having fun. Uncle Zack is working on Auntie Lizette’s computer and I wanted to see how he fixed it.”

Zack was there? Lizette hadn’t said that, and Gina avoided looking at her in case her face revealed that she feeling some kind of way. Bereft, if she had to name her emotion.

“Maybe next time.”

Pouting, Luca shook his head. “That’s what you and Uncle Zack always say.”

“Unfair, right?” Lizette said, leaning both elbows on the counter.

Luca’s nod was enthusiastic.

“Sorry, babe. We don’t have time to linger today.” Gina turned him toward the entrance by the shoulders. “See you tomorrow, Lizette.”

“Bye, Auntie,” Luca yelled as he headed for the door.

Gina couldn’t say why she turned, other than that she might have sensed Zack’s presence. He stood in the corridor, as if he’d stopped deliberately to allow her to leave the building before he entered the front office. When their eyes met, he continued toward her and his lips quirked in a tiny smile.

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