Page 26 of Treasured
I crouched, inspecting it, and saw the strap and hook. I stood up. “I’m handy even with a rental. He’ll be safe with me.”
“Okay,” she said. She glanced at her phone, scrolled through, and then texted me an instructional video.
My lips curved into a smile, and I kissed her fast.
She didn’t mind. After the second our kiss ended, she darted into her room to change. I went to sit with Bruce on the floor until she came back out.
Later, I jumped up to walk her out and say goodbye. Her lips on mine set me off course as I watched her head to her car.
I went to the closet and found a stroller. Perfect. I packed what she had left me, tried to feed Bruce some bananas in a glass jar I found, and marveled at how smiley he was with those two teeth of his.
Once I cleaned him up and checked his diaper, it was time to go. I needed a run. So I grabbed one bottle, the stroller, and the car seat.
Outside, the air was fresh, and I drove us to a park on the way home.
Bruce passed out in the stroller as I raced around. Near the end of our park visit, I let him play in the sand a bit, and then we headed back to her home.
Children were more work than I had thought. I changed his clothes so he would be fresh and clean and grabbed another few bottles of milk.
Luckily for me, Bruce passed out on the drive easily.
We arrived a few minutes before our meeting, and I carried Bruce in with one of his bottles. As I stepped through the door, my eyes widened. She was early. I passed the line and joined her at the table. “Wanda.”
Her eyes widened. “Who’s this?” she asked.
I held him closer and said, “Mary’s son. He needed to come along.” I slid back as the line lulled. “We’ll be right back.”
She waved me off, and we were fast in line. I ordered a black coffee and steamed milk for Bruce as a treat. I poured it in one of his empty bottles and handed it to him.
“You’re dating a single mom?” Wanda asked as I sat back down.
“Yes,” I said, bouncing him on my lap.
She sat back and sipped her latte. She set down her cup and said, “That’s responsible. Your brother and mom never thought you’d be.”
“I grew up. Are you ready to talk about the schedule?”
“You never complained all those years I put money in your accounts.”
“I should have asked more questions.” I showed her my dimples and hoped she was ready to let go with a whimper more than a fight. “Years as a SEAL taught me how to handle myself, and your lawyers must have said I have the right claim.”
She smiled and made goo-goo sounds at Bruce for a moment. Then she said, “I hope on the tour, you see I run a tight ship and that you’ll drop your suit so we can go back to what’s worked well for both of us.”
Cole Securities intended to stop her and all her illegal deals. The board was about to see negative press until I stood up and took what was mine. Her time was done. I gulped down some of my coffee and rocked Bruce, who was curled up in my arms like he wanted to sleep, and I said, “Look, let’s just set the schedule.”
Her eyes went glassy as she watched us. “You might be coming in at a perfect time. I’ve been wanting to retire, and if you take over, maybe I can enjoy my life… maybe find a guy who can give me my own baby.”
If that was how she saved face, she would walk away fast. I put my cup down and dropped my wall around her, talking to her like she was still family. “Maybe you’ll find a single dad so you don’t have to bear the pain. We both know you don’t get your hands dirty, directly.”
The glimmer in eyes dulled. “Dwayne, come to the factory tomorrow at ten. But it’s no place for little ones.”
Right. Gun manufacturers had too much potential for accidents. I snuggled his body to my chest. “Done. Thanks.”
The idea that something about Wanda’s company was related to my family did gymnastic circles in my mind. Once Wanda left, I put Bruce back in his car seat to take him home.
I first called my mother on the drive, but I got her voice mail. I tapped the wheel and decided to call my Cole Securities contact next. His wife was in the CIA. He answered on the first ring.
“Mark, we have to talk.”
