Page 42 of Secret Baby Daddies
“I do believe I work here. Now, who are you and why are you distracting my employee?”
“It’s my fault, Susie! I’m so sorry. I—”
“Goodness, girl! I’m just teasing you.” Susie rolled her eyes and came toward me. “She’s the best person I’ve ever had here and that includes my own daughter. I’m Susie. And you are?”
I shook her hand and tried to stop the shit-eating grin from taking over.
“Jace Silver. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I apologize for distracting Harley. I did, however, place an order for next week to make up for some of her time.”
Harley came around the counter and put herself between me and Susie. With her back to me, she cleared her throat and held up her hands.
“I’ll make up for the time I was…distracted.”
I gripped her waist and tugged her back into my chest. Leaning into her, I whispered loud enough for Susie to hear.
“You’re playing this all off very well.”
Susie threw her head back and laughed.
“I never thought I’d see the day when my sweet little Harley became a floozy.”
The front door opened and Harley jumped at the chance to get away from what was happening. She hurried behind the counter and greeted the customer by name.
“Come with me.” Susie nodded towards the back and I followed her, wondering what she had to say. As soon as we were in the back, she turned and wagged her finger at me.
“Are you going to hurt her?”
I smiled and shook my head.
“Not a chance.”
“And you’re going to take care of her?” There was something in her voice which raised the hair on the back of my neck.
“Yes. Is there something specific you’re worried about?”
She blew out a slow breath.
“I have to close the shop. It’s happening a lot faster than I thought it would. I made some bad financial choices and I have to sell this place before I lose my house.”
There was a sharp gasp from behind me and I turned to see Harley standing there with giant tears in her eyes. She blinked and they fell, one at a time.
“When?”
Feeling like I’d been punched in the gut at the sight of her pain, I walked over and wrapped my arms around her.
“What do you need, sweet girl?”
“I’m so sorry, Harley. I didn’t mean for you to hear it like that. Things are happening so much faster than I thought they would. I need to stop the orders to our suppliers now. I can’t afford to purchase anymore…I think we’ll be closed by the end of the month.”
Harley stiffened in my arms.
“By the end ofthismonth?”
“If there was anything else I could do, I’d do it.” Susie covered her mouth as she watched Harley. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off, honey? We can talk about all this tomorrow.”
“No. I need to…I mean… I don’t know what to do without the store, Susie.” Harley ducked her head and took a deep breath. When she looked up again, she was back in control. “I think I will take the rest of the day off. I’m sorry you’re having to go through this, Susie. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”
I hated the way she felt she had to be strong. I wanted her to know she could fall apart and I’d be there to keep the pieces together for when she was ready to rebuild. It was a foreign feeling. I cared about my brothers but it was different. We’d always been competitive and none of us had ever tried to take care of each other. It’d always been a sink or swim survival in the Silver household. Looking down at Harley, though, I knew I didn’t want that for her.
