Page 11 of Echoes of Danger

I smile warmly and my heart swells knowing that this little girl is so loved by her daddy.

“Tummy time is super important right now,” I say, adjusting her tiny blanket. “It doesn’t have to be long, just a few minutes here and there. It helps her build up those little neck and shoulder muscles and can even stop those flat spots on the back of her head from forming since she’ll be moving around more. I promise she can breathe just fine.”

“Because you’re a mom, and Elijah is a good kid.”

“I’m sorry?” I ask, confused by the change in conversation.

“You asked how I know that you meet the bill,” he says. “It’s because you’re a great mom.”

“You didn’t even meet Eli before you hired me,” I remind him. “For all you know, I could have been a horrible mom. Shoot, I might be a secret spy sent here to gather intel on you.”

“I don’t think you’d make a very good spy,” he laughs.

“Why not?” I ask in mock outrage.

“Because you’re too sweet,” he responds. “They don’t send sweet and pretty women out to gather intel.”

He thinks I’m sweet? And pretty?

Just a job, Delphi Mae. He’s only being kind. Don’t look at it like it’s anything else. He’s way too freaking hot to be interested in someone like me, anyway.

Oh, and he’s my boss.

“You obviously don’t understand how being a spy works,” I sigh. “They’re not going to send in the most obvious person. They need someone who blends in. And I, Mr. Reynolds, am the definition ofblending in.”

“Whatever you say,Freckles,” he smiles. “Your face alone was born to stand out.”

“She usually wears that face paint crap to hide her freckles.”

I shake my head as Elijah cuts tummy time short and lifts Jessica off the floor.

“I’m sorry my mean old ma made you lay on your tummy,” he says in a high-pitched voice. “All you could see was a wall of pink blanket. Don’t worry, little butterfly, I got you. Want to check out the digs your old man set up for me?”

Without another word, he takes the baby and leaves.

“Uhm,” I chuckle uncomfortably. “I’m sorry. I’ll go get her.”

“She’s perfectly fine where she’s at,” he says softly. “I know in my heart that your boy will keep her safe. How about I show you around? As much as I hate to leave you alone on your first night, I have to work later.”

“That’s okay,” I reassure. “As long as I know where everything is at to take care of your daughter, we will be perfectly fine here.”

I follow my new boss as he takes me through his home. Eventually, we head up the stairs and walk to the very last room at the end of the hall.

“This is my room,” he says, pointing to the door on the right. “On down the hall, right across the staircase, is the bathroom. This one has a claw tub, whereas the one downstairs is only a shower.”

“Nice,” I whisper, more than a little excited to soak myself in some hot water.

“This room,” he says, pointing at the door right across the hall from his, “is Jessica’s room. I haven’t had her that long, so it’s not fully set up yet. There are still diapers and clothes in boxes and bags. Feel free to organize it however you see fit. I have a baby monitor set up and already have the receiving end in your room. There’s also one in mine. So, don’t be telling her secrets that you don’t want me to hear.”

I smile at his teasing tone and follow him to the room beside the baby’s.

“And this one is yours,” he says. “I wasn’t sure what all you needed, so I had one of my friends set it up in some neutral colors last night. There’s a television, dresser, and closet, and the bed is new and as soft as can be. Again, feel free to change anything you’d like.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I blush. “I just need a pillow and a blanket. I slept on the couch at my old apartment. I don’t need much to be happy.”

Jacob watches me for a few seconds before he seems to snap out of whatever was going on in his head.

“Let’s go get Elijah so I can show you both something important.”

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