Page 38 of The Keeper

I bolted upright, panic flooding my system. “Shit. I’m so sorry. I completely forgot?—”

“This is the second day in a row you’ve missed your shift,” he said, cutting me off. “Being a manager doesn’t mean you can blow off work whenever you feel like it.”

My throat tightened, and I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “No, I didn’t. I requested off yesterday. Remember?” I asked, rubbing my stinging eyes. I was a grown-ass woman. A grown-ass woman who was dangerously close to tears because she was being reprimanded by her boss.

“As a manager, you’re technically always on call,” he reminded me,his tone patronizing. “The higher wage and guaranteed hours come with more responsibilities. I can’t have you disappearing without notice like this. What kind of an example does it set for the rest of the employees?”

When I realized the other side of the bed was empty, a sense of déjà vu washed over me, and my stomach dropped. The memory of his arms around me and his promise to be here when I woke up had felt so real. But the cold, empty sheets beside me told a different story.

Dane was gone. Again.

“Please, Derek. I’m so sorry,” I said, trying and failing to mask the emotion in my voice. “Avery fell, and we were at the hospital until late last night. I should have called, but everything’s been such a blur…”

“If you’d called to let me know what was going on, I could have made arrangements,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “But I can’t run a business effectively if I don’t know when my employees will show up.”

“You’re right,” I admitted, kneading my chest with the heel of my hand like it might stop it from aching. “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Derek sighed heavily. “Look, I know you’re in a difficult situation as a single mom. But if you can’t manage your time effectively and be available when I need you, we may need to reevaluate your position.”

Tears clung to my lashes before spilling over onto my cheeks. I couldn’t afford to lose this job. “Please, Derek. I’ll do anything,” I said, choking back a sob. “I need this job.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “Fine. I’ll find someone to cover your shift today, but you better be prepared to work double shifts for the next few weeks to make up for it,” he said gruffly.

“Of course, absolutely. Thank you so much.” Relief washed over me even as dread settled in my stomach at the thought of seeing my daughter even less than I already did.

The call ended, and I collapsed back onto the bed, my hands shaking as I placed the phone on the nightstand. As if Dane walking out again wasn’t bad enough, now my job was on thin ice, too. I pressed my hands over my face to muffle the sound of my sobs, not wanting to wake Avery.

When there was nothing left to cry, I dragged myself out of bed and down the hall, only to freeze as soon as I reached the living room.

Dane lay sprawled across the couch with Avery on his bare chest, his massive frame dwarfing the furniture. One muscular arm was draped over her back, protecting her even in his sleep.

The magnitude of the moment struck me, and I sagged against the wall. My sweet, cautious girl, who had been wary of men since she came into this world, looked right at home in her daddy’s arms. Like it was where she was always meant to be.

Fresh tears sprang to my eyes as I thought of the long, sleepless nights I’d spent wishing I didn’t have to do it alone. Now he was here, stepping into the role of father as if he’d been doing it all along

I crept closer, my bare feet silent against the cool hardwood. His face was relaxed in sleep, softer somehow, making him look younger and more vulnerable. A lock of dark hair had fallen across his forehead, and I fought the urge to brush it back.

As if sensing my stare, Dane’s eyes fluttered open, instantly alert. His arm tightened around Avery before his gaze found mine. The tension in his body eased, replaced by a slow, sleepy smile that made my heart skip a beat.

“Mornin’,” he rumbled, voice rough with sleep. Avery stirred at her father’s voice, her tiny fist clutching his chest as she burrowed closer.

“Morning,” I whispered back once I found my voice. “How long have you two been out here?”

He glanced down at Avery, his expression softening even further. “Since about three. She was fussing, so I brought her in here so you could sleep.”

Guilt twisted in my gut. “I’m so sorry. I usually hear her through the monitor. You should have woken me up.”

“Piper.” The way he said my name, low and firm, did something to my insides. “You needed the rest. Besides, we were just fine.”

Dane studied me for a long moment before shifting Avery to one arm and extending his free hand toward me. “Have you been crying?”

“It’s nothing,” I said, swiping at my cheeks. “Just work stuff.”

“C’mere, let me hold you.”

Against my better judgment, I took his hand and let him pull medown onto the couch beside him. His skin was warm against mine, and I fought the urge to curl into his side like Avery had.

“What happened?” he asked, keeping his voice low so as not to wake our daughter.

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