Page 15 of Unravelling The Beast

When he returns his focus to the road ahead, he speaks sternly.

"I don't like the attitude, Wren. That's not how you'll get this job; did you never learn that in your career?"

When I learn I can't win him over while attempting to match his attitude, I sigh and gaze forward once more, realizing I have to be the bigger person here and bite my tongue, even if it kills me.

"I apologize if I said something that offended you, Arlo. I'm here for your son, and I'm sure you'd like me to take good care of him.”

As nerves begin to consume me, I fidget a little in my seat and continue.

"It's my job, and I'm sure you can understand and appreciate how I do things when I'm trying to get to know the child I’m going to be potentially taking care of.”

I throw a glance his way, and his eyes meet mine.

"And, to be honest, I've never met a potential employer like you before.I'm usually very welcomed."

As he speaks firmly, he glances between me and the road ahead.

"I'm very protective of my son."

I give him a small nod of understanding before tilting my head to the side.

"But you weren't willing to give me a chance before you even saw me with Cree, so what was that about?"

He now keeps his eyes on the road and remains silent, but after a few minutes, when we come to a stop in a parking lot and he turns off the engine, he finally looks my way.

"Let's just call it gut instinct. If I don't think you're the right fit to look after my son, you never will."

"And now? Do you still have that gut instinct?"

Without breaking eye contact, he raises a perfect brow and unclips his seatbelt.

"We'll see after today, won't we?"

He pulls his stare away from me, opens the door next to him, and jumps out of the car.

He's going to be a tough nut to crack, Jesus. I suppose it's fair for him to be overprotective because he's Cree's only parent, but that doesn't justify the way he treats people.

I'm wondering how his other employees feel about working for him. His reliance on gut instinct is a pitiful excuse, but I can't back out now. I'll give everything I have today to prove him wrong.

I open the door beside me, leap out of the car and see Arlo holding Cree. As I speak to him, I close the gap and smile.

"Let's go see those wonderful trains, little man!"

He tries to wiggle out of his dad's arms, and when Arlo lowers him to his feet, he holds his arms up so that I can carry him.

My eyes soften as I reach beneath his arms to lift him up before sitting him on my hip. Arlo steps forward and hands one of Cree's trains to him.

"Thank you, Daddy!"

They exchange smiles before Arlo places a gentle kiss on his head and then speaks.

"Let's go"

Cree squeals with excitement as we go towards the train entrance, which makes me giggle. Arlo appears to know where we need to go; perhaps this is the place they visited before.

We walk onto an antique railway platform, and it's incredible. When Cree attempts to get free from my arms, I warn him first.

"If I lower you down, Cree, you must always hold mine or Daddy's hand, okay? This place can be very dangerous."

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