Page 55 of Daycare Santa

Chapter 23

“Ineed somewhere tostore my equipment.” Gina tugged her ponytail, then added, “Like yesterday. Other than that, I’ll need an outlet come January.”

“Do you close after the holidays?” Zack asked, hoping she did so they’d have time to find another space.

Gina sniffed and pressed two fingers to the corner of her eyes. “Yes, that’s when I tie up loose ends and spend time with my family. I’m so glad my parents aren’t here to witness this foolishness.”

“I’m sure they would support you through this rough patch.” Resting his hand on her shoulders, Zack spoke gently. “This is not your fault.”

The door opened, and the policeman walked back inside, throwing a surreptitious glance at Zack.

“It’s fine,” Gina assured him. “Zack can hear whatever you have to say.”

“Miss Wedderburn said you leaving tomorrow works for her.”

“How gracious.” Gina’s voice carried some snark, but Zack understood her position. She sounded more like herself as she continued, “You can thank her for me.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow by noon.”

“Fine.” Gina waved him away. “You can collect the keys at the same time.”

Her eyes swam with tears, and Zack wanted to hug her again. He looked away to allow her to compose herself while Constable Russell moved from one foot to the other.

The officer attempted to speak, but instead walked out of the building.

“Come with me to my office.” Gina led him down the corridor and sank behind her desk.

Silence washed over them, and Gina closed her eyes. He studied her from the seat in front of the desk, picking the words he needed. Zack didn’t know what her response would be to his suggestion, so he simply said, “I can help, if you let me.”

She laid both hands on the desk with a guarded expression in place. “How?”

“I have warehouse space you can use.” He opened both hands. “It’s up to you whether you take up the offer.”

Gina blinked hard and stifled a harsh sound, like a sob.

After making sure she was okay, Zack shifted his attention to the print over her head that read,Life is what you make it.

“What did I ever do, for you to be so good to me?”

Gina’s soft words perplexed him, but he shrugged as he focused on her. That’s when he noticed she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. A good sign for them.

“In my world,” he said, “you don’t have to do anything to deserve help. If we’re in this together, then your struggles are my struggles. Your pain is my pain. Your triumphs are my triumphs. Your joy is my joy.”

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