As she spoke, Maggie slid off her chair and hurried to her mother. Ashley took in the mismatched shirt and jeans, the smudge of jam on the girl’s cheek and the crooked clips in her hair. Her heart filled with love as she gathered her close and held her tightly.
“I love you, baby girl,” she murmured, inhaling the familiar scent of her child.
“I love you, too, Mommy,” her daughter whispered in response.
Still holding her child, Ashley looked past her to the man sitting at the table. His suit slacks were immaculate, as was his white shirt. His gray eyes seemed to see down to her receding panic. Which was crazy. He couldn’t have known that she’d freaked when she’d awakened and Maggie hadn’t been in her room. Could he?
“Brenda was delayed by a family crisis,” he said. “So we had to get ready without her.” He nodded at Maggie. “She picked out her clothes and got herself dressed without any assistance. I did her hair.” He smiled self-deprecatingly. “But you probably figured that out.”
His smile did something funny to her insides. Or maybe it was just lack of food. Ashley released her daughter and studied her clothes and hair.
“It’s perfect,” she said.
Maggie beamed. “I’ve been extra good for Uncle Jeff. I ate all my cereal and I’m going to finish my toast and milk.”
Ashley looked at their host. “Uncle Jeff?”
He shrugged. “Mr. Ritter seemed a little formal. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No. It’s fine.”
Weird, but fine. She had a hard time imagining Jeff Ritter as an uncle, but he’d obviously done well with Maggie.
He rose to his feet and pulled out a chair. “You must be starving. Let me get you some food.”
Ashley was suddenly aware that she’d jumped out of bed without a thought for her appearance. She hadn’t showered in two days or brushed her teeth, and her hair probably looked like a rat’s nest.
“I, ah, think I’d like to take a shower first,” she said, backing out of the room. She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Give me ten minutes.”
Because of her recent illness, she wasn’t moving as fast as usual, so it was closer to twenty before she walked back downstairs. Her first glance in the mirror hadn’t been as horrible as it could have been, but she hadn’t been in the position to win any beauty prizes, either. Now she was at least clean, with her hair washed, although still a little damp. Her face was too pale and way too thin. With the onset of the flu, Ashley hadn’t been eating regularly for several days. Which meant a loss of weight she couldn’t afford. Her jeans were already hanging on her.
She made her way into the kitchen and found Maggie dancing from foot to foot.
“Brenda called,” she sang. “She called and she’s on her way to take me to school. And—” she paused dramatically before making the most monumental of announcements “—she’s bringing one of her dogs with her. The little one. Her name is Muffin and I get to hold her in the car!”
As Maggie spoke, she raced toward Ashley and threw herself at her. Automatically Ashley reached for her daughter, pulling her into her arms. But two days in bed and general weakness from the flu had sucked up all her strength. She staggered slightly and felt herself start to slip.
From the corner of her eye Ashley caught a blur of movement. Suddenly a strong arm encircled her waist, holding her upright. She found herself leaning against Jeff. She had a brief impression of heat and formidable muscles even as he led her to a chair by the table and eased her onto the seat. And then he was back in his chair with a speed that left her wondering if she’d imagined the whole thing.
Except that the left side of her burned from where she’d pressed against him, and she could almost feel his arm around her waist. She shivered slightly. Not from cold, but from... Ashley frowned. She wasn’t sure what. Awareness? Because she was suddenly very aware of the man sitting across from her. He didn’t seem as much the cold, mysterious stranger this morning.
Maggie shifted on her lap. “Do you think Muffin will like me?”
“How could she not?” Ashley asked. “You’re an adorable little girl.”
Her daughter beamed with delight. Before she could speak again, there was a loud rap at the front door, followed by the sound of steps on the entryway.
“It’s me,” a woman called. “Brace yourself, Jeff. I have a dog with me.”
Her announcement was unnecessary. A bundle of fur careened around the corner and skittered into the kitchen. The creature was small—maybe seven or eight pounds of multicolored hair and big, brown eyes. At the sight of the animal, Maggie scrambled off Ashley’s lap and dropped to her knees. The little dog beelined for the child and sniffed her outstretched fingers, then licked the tips and jumped against Maggie, yipping and licking and wiggling with delight.
“Muffin loves kids,” Brenda said as she walked into the kitchen. “But then you probably guessed that.” She looked at Ashley. “You seem better.”
“I feel better, thanks.” Ashley smiled, feeling slightly awkward. While she’d never met Brenda before yesterday, the woman was an employee of Ritter/Rankin Security. What must she think of Jeff bringing a fellow worker into his house and caring for her and her child while she was ill? She felt as if she had to explain the situation, but she didn’t know what to say about it.
Brenda handed Jeff a folder. “I’d better get this little one to her preschool,” she said. “See you at the office.”
He took the folder. “Thanks, Brenda. I appreciate this.”
