Page 36 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

“Milo Sholl is an attorney in town. I think he’s gunning for the position next year. I wonder if there’s any bad blood there or dirt on Sholl.”

“I can ask some questions.” Sadie drummed her fingers on the table. “But I need to be careful. The sheriff’s department isn’t involved in Stella’s case. I can’t step on any toes.”

Jenna scooped up a block from the floor and put it back on the tray. “You’ve already done so much for us. No need to do anything to put your job in jeopardy.”

“I second that,” Calvin said. “I plan to ask Milo plenty of questions, as long as the guy will talk to me.”

“You don’t think he will?” Mrs. Collins asked, raising her gray eyebrows.

Calvin lifted his mug and smirked at Jenna. “I hope so, or we might have to put Jenna’s scheme in motion. Something that would be a very last resort.”

Jenna rolled her eyes. “I’m not scheming.”

“Tell me about this scheme.” Sadie tilted her head to the side, concern in her pinched face.

Jenna pressed her lips together, clearly not amused he’d brought up the idea she’d had earlier to get information from Milo. “Nothing. Just trying to figure out how to get a lawyer to answer some simple questions. They aren’t exactly notorious for laying all their cards on the table.”

Mrs. Collins chuckled. “Fair point, but you might as well try, right? Sometimes people surprise you.”

Calvin bit back a smile and dropped his gaze to the black liquid in his mug. Mrs. Collins had no idea how true her words were this morning. Waking up next to Jenna had warmed his soul—it just felt right. A feeling that he hadn’t experienced in far too long. If nothing else, he owed it to them both to at least unpack everything still between them.

A giggle erupted from Oliver’s droopy lips, and he clapped his hands beneath his chin.

Jenna beamed and smoothed a palm over his cheek. “What’s got you laughing, little man?”

He pointed at a bowl of fruit on the marble counter. “Nana!”

Chuckling, Calvin stood, grabbed a banana, and peeled it. “Should I slice it?”

“You can,” Mrs. Collins said. “The knives are in the long, island drawer and kids’ plates are in the cabinet by the microwave.”

He found what he needed and sliced the fruit then carried the plate to Oliver.

Jenna stared up at him with wide eyes filled with an emotion he couldn’t quite put his finger on but twisted his stomach.

“Nana!” Oliver squealed again. He picked up a slice and smooshed it between his fingers before licking off the mushy clumps.

Calvin chuckled. “Maybe a napkin?”

Clicking her tongue, Jenna grabbed a paper towel and soaked it with water before returning to the table.

Oliver smeared banana all over his face, managing to push small bits into his mouth before Jenna could clean off his mess.

“Might be smarter to just give him a bath when he’s done.” Grinning, Jenna cleaned away the mashed fruit from the little boy’s face.

Oliver clamped his sticky hands on Jenna’s. “More nana.”

Calvin’s heart melted into a pile mushier than the banana caked on Oliver’s cheek. He met Jenna’s stare. His throat went dry, and his pulse raced. This could have been his life. Sitting at the table with Jenna, feeding his beautiful son.

Clearing his throat, he broke eye contact and took a step away from the happy mother and her precious little boy. He needed to keep his head on straight. Not get lost in some dreamthat may never come true. “Did you text your boss about Dr. Kent?”

Jenna tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes as if trying to understand what was going on in his head. “I did earlier but haven’t heard back yet.”

He took another step in retreat. “I’m going to call Milo Sholl.”

Escaping from the kitchen, Mrs. Collins’ question played on repeat in his mind as he looked up the number he needed and made the call.

Might as well try, right?

---