A Baby by Easter & a Family for Summer by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

“So far, so good, Connie,” Ashley whispered into her phone. “The children’s worker is here now so we’ll see how it goes.”

“That could last awhile and you have plans,” Connie murmured. “I’ll come over.”

“No! Do not come over here,” Ashley hissed. “You’re probably contagious. I have a while before my interview. I can stay a little longer.”

After coaxing Connie’s agreement, she hung up, trying not to listen to the conversation in the next room as she got the children involved in coloring pictures to decorate the fridge. The grueling questioning Jared endured and his steady answers clearly showed how much the big man cared for the two munchkins now seated at the table.

She poured juice for Jared and Ms. Duncan and carried it into the other room. Jared rose and took the tray, setting it on the table. Typical Sir Galahad gesture.

A smile tugged at her mouth as he cast her a droll look that said he wanted to escape. Just as quickly she stifled her mirth. He was good-looking in a heartthrob kind of way, but she wasn’t interested. Not at all.

“I brought a glass of juice for each of you.” Ashley bent and placed the glasses in front of Jared and Ms. Duncan.

“I believe you’ve already met Ashley? She and I have a common friend,” Jared explained to Ms. Duncan. “Connie Abbot. Maybe you’ve heard of her?”

“Oh, yes, we know Mrs. Abbot well at Children’s Services.” The woman actually smiled. “We often benefit from her charities.” She squinted at Ashley. “Do you work for Mrs. Abbot?”

“I, um, help her sometimes,” Ashley hedged. She quickly changed the subject. “I’m currently staying with her. I just moved back to Tucson.”

“You have a job here?” Ms. Duncan asked.

Strictly speaking, Ashley knew she didn’t have to answer. What she did was none of this woman’s business. But Connie had told her how much Jared wanted to keep the twins and she’d seen for herself how hard he was trying to do the right thing, including playacting fairy tales, which he clearly abhorred. She couldn’t do anything to jeopardize his chance at guardianship.

“Not yet,” she said, lifting the tray and preparing to leave.

“Ashley’s a nurse. I’m sure it won’t be hard for her to find work,” Jared reassured the nosy woman.

“Did the children need a nurse today?” Ms. Duncan’s tone oozed innuendo.

“No. Of course they didn’t.” Jared tipped back his tousled head and looked at Ashley, his burnt chocolate eyes smoking black with temper.

Ashley frowned at the hint that Eric and Emma weren’t being properly cared for. According to Connie, this man would bend over backward for his charges.

“I came in Connie’s place,” Ashley butted in before Jared could say something he might regret. “Connie intended to visit with the twins this morning so the two of you could chat freely, but she fell ill. Jared has a lot of support from his friends, Ms. Duncan. Connie, her husband, Wade, and their friend David Foster have been helping the twins make the transition.

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