"I wouldn't tell you anyway," I responded coolly. "Normally, I'd ask my cousin and his wife, but they're on their honeymoon."
Brenda hesitated. "Of course we'll keep him for a few days, Burke, it's just that . . ."
"Yes?" I prompted.
"We have jobs, and we've already taken off work to visit Kinsley."
"Is it a matter of not having the available time off or is it the money?"
"I'm not taking your dirty money," Daniel stated, moving closer to me.
Noah stepped forward at the perceived threat, but I held up a hand to stop him. I wasn't worried about Danny. "It might surprise you to know I make money from legitimate business deals; revamping dying companies, specifically."
Brenda moved between the two of us, shoving her husband back a step before turning to me. "It's a little of both. As a nurse, I have more PTO than Danny does. I can stay here for a couple days, and Danny can go back to work."
"I'll pay you for your time," I began. "However much you need."
"Nothing extravagant," Kinsley interrupted. "Standard babysitting fees are acceptable, aren't they?" she said to Danny.
He just shook his head and walked away.
"I apologize for the way he reacts." Brenda grimaced. "He's trying, Kinsley, but some aspects of your life still bother him."
"I don't expect him to accept all of it with open arms." Kinsley hugged Brenda again. "Are you sure this is okay?"
"I want to help, and I figure it must be serious for you to leave Finn behind."
"It's extremely important." I touched Brenda on the shoulder, unsure how to communicate my appreciation with a near stranger. "Kinsley trusts you implicitly, which means I do as well."
"He's so close to walking. I don't want to miss it," Kinsley said, tears in her voice. She held Finn closer to her until he fussed and squirmed.
"I know." I watched Kinsley set him on the floor. Finn took off, crawling around the tiled foyer with a squeal of glee.
"No doubt searching for Danny." Brenda laughed, shaking her head. "He acts all tough, but that baby gets him to behave like the biggest fool."
Wrapping an arm around her, I said in Kinsley's ear, "That's all I need to know."
"I don't suppose you two want to move to Boston?" Kinsley asked.
Brenda frowned briefly. "As nice as it probably is, I love Bristol."
"It was just a random thought."
Kinsley walked off with Brenda, leaving me with Noah.
"We'll head back to Boston after dinner." I pulled my phone out, annoyed at the lack of communication from Logan. "I haven't heard anything about the plan moving forward, have you?"
"I haven't, boss."
"No doubt she's suspicious of the meet." Sighing, I scrubbed my hand over my face. "I'm going to spend time with my son and try not to cut the branches off the tree."
"Uh, okay."
Snorting at the fact that Noah didn't understand the joke, I joined everyone else in the living room.
"Oh, Burke," Brenda said. "I got the strangest call this morning."
I frowned. "From who?"
