Page 39 of Scrape the Barrel
Sage crouched to her level, pulling her in for a hug. “I did, Aves. Thank you. I appreciate that.”
After she stood, I asked, “Did you enjoy your nap?”
She nodded. “It was much-needed.”
Avery headed back down the hall, presumably to continue playing with her toys she’d moved into her bedroom. I didn’t sayeveryroom was spotless.
Sage glanced at the clock on the stove and cursed. “I have to get to work in thirty minutes. I didn’t realize I’d slept so long.” She turned toward the hallway and called out, “Aves, please get ready to go.”
“I can watch her,” I offered without thinking.Yeah, right. Like she was going to trust me alone in her house with her daughter when she barely knew me.
Sage faced me, her eyes wide. “What?”
“Avery. I can watch her so you don’t have to bring her to work.”
Her gaze darted aroundthe room as she processed what I was saying. “You’ve already done so much, Callan. I don’t want to use you like that.”
I tossed the paper towel I was still holding in the trash, coming around the island. “It’s not using me if it’s something I want to do.”
She studied me for a few moments before saying, “You want to watch a five-year-old while I go to work?”
I shrugged. “I like kids.”
Sage shook her head, more in disbelief than as an answer. “I have a short shift. I’m just going in for a few hours until the cafe closes, so I should be home by five.”
Four hours. That wouldn’t be too bad.
“I can do that.”
Her brows drew together. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
She eyed me like she was trying to tell if I was serious. “If something goes wrong, will you call me?”
I nodded. “I’ll send you updates every thirty minutes.”
Her brows raised an inch. “Okay.”
There wasn’t really agoodway to reassure a mother that her child was in good hands because no matter what, they’d worry, so she’d just have to trust that Avery would be okay with me for four hours.
If watching Avery for the afternoon made Sage’s day easier, I’d do it without hesitation any time she needed it.
15
Sage
“No Avery today?” Penny asked as I walked in the door to Bell Buckle Brews, the cowbell above me letting out a clang.
“She’s at home with…” Calling Callan a babysitter felt weird. He felt like more than that, like a friend doing a friend a favor. But was he my friend? “Callan.”
Penny’s eyes shot wide as I approached the counter. “CallanBronson?”
“Why’d you say his name like that? Is he secretly a serial killer or something?” My luck, that’d end up being the truth.
The cafe was empty behind me, it's usual pace during this time of the day.
“No. I’m just surprised he’d be watching Avery. Are you guys friends or something?”
