“Baby Miss Missy,” Markie told him, very seriously.“Auntie Claudie gaved her to me to take care of for her while she is busy catching the bad guys.”
“It was one of Claudia’s when she was a little girl, she said,” Em said.
Cal looked at the doll more closely.He’d thought that was the doll he remembered when he’dbabysata few days ago.“ThatisBaby Miss Missy.I gave Baby Miss Missy to Claudia when I was thirteen, I think.I even went down the scary doll aisle and picked it out myself.She was around seven or so.That was the Christmas Mom first got sick.She had just had Clancy a month before—and Claudia and Cloe and Cadell were upset about Mom missing Christmas.I was more upset about them being so upset.”
“You were a good big brother back then, you know.I have heard the stories,” Em said, quietly.
“He was,” Kameron added.He’d been there.Cal’s best friend from kindergarten, too.Kameron had stuck, for years.Cal would always remember that.Kameron had been thefirstperson he’d told about his mom being so sick.Kameron had been beside him the day they’d lost her, too.
Cal’s mom had lingered for years.She’d been diagnosed and gone into remission four times before the last was too far gone for her to fight.“Claudia carried Baby Miss Missy everywhere for a few years.During Mom’s first…go-round.Then Clancy took care of her for Claudia.”
“Now it Markie’s turn,” Markie told Kameron.“Me feedz her in a minute.She is hungee.She likes chicken nuggies.”
“I see.I like nuggets very much.She is very pretty.Just like you.”
Markie just nodded.“I know.Who you?”
“My name is Kameron.Calloway is my best friend.”
Jules slipped into the booth across from them when Em nudged her.She was staring at Kameron suspiciously.
“I’ll grab drinks for everyone,” Em said, adjusting a booster seat for her preschool-aged sister.“I am not sure why Auggie is here, though.”
“Mom forgot everybody’s lunches, Em.We were in a hurry.I even forgot my school bag.”
“Sure you did.How many books did you bring with you to read today?”
“Just four.”
“Just…not your math book, right?”
The kid gave her a guilty look.Looking likeEmat her…guiltiest.
“Gotcha.We do math together tonight, okay?”
“You’ll help me?”
“Of course I will.We’ll go up to my room and do it together.Just the two of us.”
Jules smiled—Em all over again.Cal got the feeling the math book had been left at home on purpose.He had to wonder how Auggie juggled them all.The woman was amazing, no denying that.“Thanks Em, you get to be my favorite sister today.”
“I am the favorite every day, remember.So, is this everybody in your little party?”Em asked.
“Quinn will be joining us in a few,” Kameron said.His assistant usually wasn’t that far from his side, Cal had noticed many times before.He had his theories, but his friend played it close to his chest where that woman was concerned.
“Great.I’ll grab a highchair and get the drinks.”She shot a narrow-eyed look at Cal.“You—behave yourself.I know you are up to something.”
“He usually is.”Kameronhadto add—holding Baby Miss Missy lovingly and taking the bottle Markie gave him.“I’m just here to keep him in line.”
“Good luck with that.”Auggie and her mini-version were back.Cal stood and reached for the baby in her arms.Maeya came right to him.“I am on to you, Calloway Grady.”
“I hope so, I seriously hope so.”
She just gave him alook.One that said he wasn’t going to get away with anything where she was concerned.He hoped he did.He truly did.
This woman…fascinated him completely.
8
