Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Jerico smiled and wrapped his arms around Aspen’s shoulders. “It happens that way sometimes.”
“You won’t think differently about me?” she asked.
“You’re asking a group of daddy doms if we’re going to judge a little girl negatively?” Koa asked, as he raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Dumb question, huh?” Pippa asked, feeling silly.
“You needed to ask, so you didn’t worry. We understand. Ask any questions you need to be comfortable with us,” Hank told her.
Max reached his hand up to cup over Hank’s shoulder. He squeezed it reassuringly. The team knew whatever had happened and supported him. Somehow that made the team seem more human and not like highly trained superstars.
“Thanks for helping me,” Pippa told them. “Did you find anything that doesn’t require a lot of training or experience?”
“Food service, maintenance, childcare center. Those are all areas with the greatest need for employees,” Zale reported.
“My mom ran a daycare. I worked there through high school and took some classes before I graduated,” Pippa informed them.
“That sounds like a good match,” Aspen said.
“Let’s go talk to them and get the ball rolling,” Zale suggested.
“I can’t go apply like this!” Pippa protested, holding out her borrowed T-shirt.
“Shopping first. Then an application.” Zale amended his plans.
“I will pay you back with my first paycheck.”
“Give that idea up. He’s never going to let that happen,” Aspen said, rolling her eyes.
“Definitely not,” Jerico confirmed.
By the end of the afternoon, Pippa wore a cute skirt and blouse ensemble to submit her name for the open position. It turned out the daycare was short of several staff members. They’d even taken her over there for an interview with the manager. She must have answered the questions correctly. The supervisor shared that if her background check came back clear, she would have a job the following week.
Pippa returned to the car to wait for Zale. She texted him on the new phone he’d insisted she get to let her know she was finished. In just a few minutes, he jogged up.
“Your smile tells me they are excited to have you working with the children,” Zale said as he approached. He kissed her from a short distance away. When she stepped closer, he held her away.
“I’m incredibly sweaty and you are too pretty to get wet.”
“What did you do? Go swimming?”
“Leave it to Caden to decide we need to do sprints when I join the training exercise.”
It hadn’t surprised Pippa when Zale chose to wait with his team while she applied and interviewed. She was discovering how different he was from other men. He’d much rather be busy than be idle, but she never sensed he wished to be elsewhere when they were together. He enjoyed their quiet time as well.
“Looks like you need a shower. Are you finished? I could go to the cafeteria and read.”
“They’ll be fine without me. I wasn’t supposed to be in today, anyway. Let’s go home. I can’t wait to hear all your news. Start at the beginning and tell me everything,” Zale requested as he ushered Pippa to the Jeep.
By the time they arrived at his house, Pippa had shared almost everything she could remember about the interview and the jobs. “Oh. They are going to let me choose which room to work in after the first week. I’ll rotate back and forth, helping the teachers in the baby room, the toddler area, and in preschool.”
“Which do you think you’ll like best?” he asked as they walked into the family room from the garage.
“Toddlers or preschool. I love story time and art. The hardest part is not napping when the kids are resting.”
She adored his hearty laugh. That was one of the features she loved most about Zale. He lived life to the fullest. Love? That word echoed in her brain. Could she really love him already?
“Are you okay, kitten?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry, I was distracted. Did you say something?”
“Nothing important. I just asked what you’d like for dinner. The team is coming over this weekend for a barbecue. I thought I’d make burgers then. Would you like to have leftover spaghetti tonight or something else? I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich.”
“Leftovers are fine. They’ll be here on Saturday?” she asked, trying to figure out what day of the week it was.
“Yes. Saturday afternoon. I thought we’d go grocery shopping tomorrow after work and grab a pizza.”
“Is it Thursday?” she finally asked.
“Yes, sweetheart. I bet it is hard to get reoriented. Especially when you’re not working.”
Suddenly, tears cascaded from her eyes. Her vision blurred. She felt like she was treading water in a huge ocean, with no idea which direction she should go. Operating blindly, she reached out and found the wall. Pippa put her back against it and slid down to sit on the carpet with her arms wrapped around her legs. Dropping her forehead to her knees, she tried to make herself as small as possible.