Page 12 of Rubber Duckie Shifter Next Door

“You were getting along great on the rides.”

“They were having fun despite me, not because of me.” I shake my head and my shoulders droop. “I’ve really let them down.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I’m not sure where to start…”

“The beginning?”

I shrug and trace the wave shape of Janey’s ring. “I’m not sure how much Ada told you, but her daughter, Janey—the kids’ mom—was my best friend.”

Sig nods.

It still hurts, thinking about her—talking about her—but the words spill out. “She got pregnant in our final year of college. She wanted five kids, at least, but then the car accident…” I swallow hard.

Sig leans toward me, but any thoughts of a pinch war are long forgotten. He takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze. “I’m so sorry, Rachel.”

“Thanks,” I smile softly. “I was the kids’ godmother. Chris—their dad—grew up in foster care. He didn’t want that to ever happen to his kids, so they drafted a will. I promised to be their guardian, but it was just supposed to be for peace of mind not…” I tighten my grip on Sig’s hand. “I never thought anything would happen to them. I’d only been out of college for a few years. I’d just finished my latest cruising contract and started on a backpacking trip through Europe when I got the news.” I swallow hard. “I flew back for the funeral, but… I didn’t stay.”

Sig gives my hand another squeeze and lets me talk.

“If Ada wasn’t in the picture, I would have stuck around. I swear I would have. I’d never have let anything happen to the kids.”

“I know you wouldn’t have,” Sig readily agrees.

“But I was still so young, and Ada said the kids were all she had left, and she wanted them and I… I… got on that plane. The backpacking trip was a distraction. And then I went back to cruising and got paid to travel and work on my tan.”

“Don’t forget about all the hard work.”

I glance at him in surprise. “Most people don’t think of it as hard work.”

“You’re talking to a guy who’s opening a water park. I’ve interviewed quite a few people who work on cruises.”

I perk up. “Really?”

He nods. “Where did you work on the ship?”

“Mostly lessons at the pool.”

Sig’s eyes brighten considerably. “Swimming lessons?”

I laugh. “No. Scuba diving. On adult-only cruises. Which probably explains why I’m so bad with kids.”

“I think you’re great with kids,” Sig lies. He has to be lying, because the last few days have proven I’m a train wreck.

My shoulders slump. “I’m really trying. I’ve been studying IT at night for the past year, and I finally got my certification last month.”

“You have?” He sounds more confused than impressed.

“I’ve got a few interviews lined up,” I add.

“You don’t sound very excited about it.”

“Honestly? I’m not.” I try to picture myself trapped in front of a computer screen in some dimly lit basement. No sun. No water. No fun. “I’m doing it for the kids.”

“You don’t need to have a desk job to be there for the kids,” Sig says.

“You don’t get it, Sig. You own a water park! I don’t even have a savings account. I’ve been spending everything I earn. Life is short. You never know how much time you’ve got. What kind of guardian does that make me?”