Page 33 of Saving Salem
“I’ll get her, you get the door.” Her voice came out rougher than she intended, but he didn’t seem to notice, simply turning and heading down the hall. Blowing out a frustrated breath, she moved across the living room to pick up her daughter, just in time to prevent the loud scream she could see building.
“Hey, little bit, there’s no need for that. I’m right here. Everything’s okay. Did you have a good sleep? You were so tired. Mama’s tired, too. It’s been a long day, yes, it has.” She cuddled Chloe against her, watching Jack and Jean-Luc wrestle a playpen through the front door. The sight was funny, both large men trying to angle the thing inside and fumbling it, having to start over to get it to fit. She was happy to see it, though, because she’d wondered where she was going to lay Chloe down for the night.
“Salem, I brought this over from Ranger and Sarah’s place. Andrea figured you’d need some place for Chloe to sleep, and Ranger’s daughter isn’t using it anymore. It’ll give you time to get a room set up for Chloe. Oh, and Andrea said to tell you she’ll stop by tomorrow around ten to take you shopping to replace the clothing and things you’re going to need.”
“Please tell Ranger and Sarah thanks for me. This will be a big help.”
“No problem. Where would you like it set up?”
“The primary bedroom please. There’s been a little too much change in Chloe’s life over the past forty-eight hours. I want to keep her close.”
Jean-Luc’s smile was gentle. “That’s understandable. Poor kiddo’s been through a lot. You all have. Oh, I talked with the arson investigator. It’s early in the investigation yet, but he’s pretty convinced the fire was deliberately set. Looks like somebody’s upping their game.”
Jean-Luc’s words weren’t really a surprise. Salem pretty much suspected arson, and Jack had all but confirmed it when he mentioned the gasoline smell outside in her apartment hallway. It had to be the Amirs, because she didn’t have any other enemies.
“I’m going to talk with Samuel about adding extra bodyguards for Salem and Chloe. We also need to talk with Chance and Ivy, find out how this affects Chloe’s custody case. The last thing we need is to strengthen the Amirs’ case.” Jack’s gaze met hers as Jean-Luc moved past her into the primary suite with the playpen.
“It’s one thing to want custody. In their own twisted way of thinking, they could justify that. But every step seems to be escalating. A knife in her crib. Now someone tries to burn down the apartment. Chloe could have been hurt. Jack, she could have died.”
“So could you.”
“There has to be something we’re not seeing, a bigger part of the picture, because killing me wouldn’t automatically gain the Amirs custody. My will states that Chloe would go to my parents. Legally, they would have as much claim to her as the Amirs.”
“Is that what you want? I’m talking worst-case scenario. Do you want your parents to raise Chloe?”
Salem shook her head, looking down at her daughter, who was chewing on a lock of Salem’s hair. Pulling it out of her mouth, she shook her finger at her. “No.”
“Mama, down.”
“Not yet. I don’t have the energy to chase you around, young lady.”
“Mama, Mama, Mama!”
“Give her to me.” Jack held his arms out to Chloe, and Salem hesitated. Her outgoing daughter was happy and friendly around others, but she hadn’t been around many men in her young life except for occasional visits with the Boudreaus. She didn’t know Jack very well, and she was afraid if Chloe refused, he’d be hurt.
Shock filled her when Chloe flung her arms out toward Jack, thrusting her body toward him with a high-pitched squealing laugh. “Up! Up!”
Jack lifted her way up in the air, high toward the ceiling and swung her back down again, her daughter chortling with each move. The sweet expression on Jack’s face was filled with a kind of wonder, and right then, in the middle of their brand-new apartment, Salem realized she wasn’t falling for Jack Sutton.
She was head over heels in love with him.
Jean-Luc left aftergetting the playpen set up, crossing in the hall with Stephanie, who shoved a pizza box into Jack’s hands along with a covered bowl. “Dinner. Pepperoni with extra cheese for you and Salem, and mac and cheese for Chloe. We’ll get you stocked up on food and supplies tomorrow. In the meantime, relax and enjoy your night. Things will look better tomorrow.”
By the time they’d finished eating, Jack could see Salem beginning to droop and Chloe was getting fussy.
“Why don’t you go ahead and get ready for bed? I’ll get Chloe cleaned up and bring her back.”
“Thank you, Jack. There are a couple extra diapers in my bag. Another thing to add to the list of things to pick up tomorrow. Thank goodness I always carry one or two extras. Sure you don’t want me to change her?”
“It’s fine. The crib is all set up in your room. I’ll take the other bedroom tonight.”
Something passed across her face, there and gone before he could tell what it was. “Okay. Just bring her back when you’re ready. I’m going to take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and get changed too.”
It didn’t take long for him to wash Chloe’s hands and face and change her diaper. He didn’t see any extra clothes for her, so he dressed her again in the same clothes she’d had on, and headed down the hall to Salem’s room. The door stood partially open, and he knocked softly.
“Come on in. I’ve got her bed all set up.” Salem reached for her daughter, pulling her close and whispering softly to her before pressing a tender kiss against the top of her head, and laid her in the playpen. Jack watched, a longing deep within to be part of the closeness they shared. Maybe someday, but it was too soon.
“You need anything else before I turn in?”
