Page 22 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

Turning, I head over toward the couch and take a seat.

As I’m removing Gabe from his car seat, I glance up, seeing she’s entering the room toting a mug in each hand.

“Who is this little fellow?” she asks as I place him in my lap, then slide to the back of the soft couch.

“Gabe... actually, it’s Gabriel, but Gabe for short.”

With the baby secure in my lap, I take one hand away from him to take the mug of tea she’s holding out for me. “Thanks,” I say followed by a smile.

“Of course, dear. Is he a friend’s or family member’s baby?” The nosy, curiosity is evident in her voice. “I saw you and your sister-in-law—Alana isn’t it—with him this past weekend and was wondering if she’s had another.”

“Yes, Alana is her name, but no, I think my brother and sister-in-law are done. Their three are practically grown. Carrie turns seventeen in a few days, Caleb is sixteen, and my youngest niece will be ten later this year.”

There is a big enough gap between Caleb and Carly as is. Carly hates it, and I know exactly how she feels. Whereas Carrie and Caleb are inseparable and more so best friends than brother and sister, Caleb is five years older than Carly—same as Jackson and me. Caleb feels this sense of brotherly over-protectiveness when it comes to Car.

Poor girl doesn’t understand it’ll never change.

I couldn’t imagine them starting over again with another baby. That would be crazy.

“Then who does this little guy belong to?” She outstretches her arms, silently asking to hold him.

After placing the mug down, I lift him and then place him into her gentle arms. She smiles down at him, and I can already tell she is smitten. I’ve quickly come to the realization he has a way with people—first Steph, and then Alana and me, and now Ms. Lincoln. It’s impossible not to like this innocent little man.

“Well,” I start trying to quickly think of a way to best tell her something without telling her the whole truth. “I guess you could say I’m fostering him for a short period of time. It has to do with a case, so I can’t go into details.”

I lie only when I have to—when it’s for my job—but generally speaking, I don’t like or enjoy lying to people. I like to think I’m upfront and honest for the most part.

“Oh, dear, that doesn’t sound pleasant.” She shakes her head. “Not the fostering part, but the part where this innocent little fellow is part of some case you’re working on.”

Her eyes are concerned. She’s fully aware I’m part of the gang and narcotics detective division on the force. Which makes me question why Tom would assign Lance and me to work together when he’s a part of the homicide unit—same as Mike. Doesn’t make sense for him to be part of a drug-related case. And more experienced? Please...

“How long do you expect to have him in your care if it’s okay for me to ask?”

“I can’t honestly say, because I don’t know.” And that fact grates on my nerves, I think. “I haven’t been able to reach the special unit I was instructed to call.” I let out a puff of air showing my frustration of the situation. “I have to reach someone today, or else I’m not sure what I’m going to do with him tomorrow while I work.”

Her face lights up. Why I don’t know. There isn’t anything bright about my situation. Like Mike said, I should have kept my mouth shut, and Gabriel would be in the care of a foster parent who knows what they’re doing—instead of me.

“I would be happy to watch him for you. I don’t mind.”

I can’t do that. It’s so sweet of her to offer. She is kind, too kind to make that much of an offer.

“No, ma’am. I cannot ask that of you.”

“Nonsense, Brianna.” She’s never called me by my full, first name. “You do things for me all the time. It’s the least I can do to return the favor.”

“Ms. Lincoln, picking up an item or two for you on the way home does not even compare to you offering to watch a baby for hours. And you know I often get called out into the field and can be gone more than a normal eight to five shift.”

No, I can’t do it. It’s not right.

She looks at me like older ladies often do when they aren’t going to take no for an answer.

“No. I can’t ask that.”

“No, dearie, you did not ask. I offered. There is a difference, ya know?” the sweet lady politely points out.

I should have just saved my breath.

CHAPTER FIVE

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