Page 6 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

Something in her tone caught his attention. Lost in his own thoughts, he’d given her some privacy. Judging by the expression on her face, things were not going well.

She sighed. “I’m coming in, Evander. This isn’t up for debate.” She glanced at her watch. “I can be there in a half hour.” She disconnected.

“Do you need help?”

The relief on her face meant he’d asked the right question.

“There’s an emergency at work. This is something only I can do. Otherwise, it might take them hours to figure it out and there isn’t that kind of time.”

“Let’s make it simple. We transfer Calleigh’s car seat to my SUV. You call the daycare and let them know I’m picking her up. Mira and I are headed to the library for story time. Calleigh loves it.”

Her relief turned to wariness in an instant. “How do I know Calleigh isn’t going to panic? She’s expecting me.”

Tread carefully.“I volunteer at the center. Calleigh knows me. If Mira’s going, then Calleigh will want to tag along. They get along well.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“You’ve been having a rough time?”Stupid question.

Remy blinked rapidly. Within moments, whatever had been there passed.

“She’s been inconsolable. Nighttime is the worst. I don’t know what to do.”

“Let me help you.”

Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “You make it sound so reasonable. I…she’s just three. I’m so worried. I’m afraid if I don’t get this right, I’ll damage her forever. On top of that, I’m needed back at work.”

“Doesn’t sound like you work for very understanding people. You need time to grieve.”

Her dark eyes flashed. “I work for great people. They told me to take as long as I need.”

Touchy subject.“I take it back.”

She unclenched her fists. “I secured high bail for an accused wife-beater. His lawyer got a second hearing, and it’s in two hours.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a Crown Prosecutor.”

Crap.If she ran a background check on him, then this’d all be over. He didn’t have a criminal record, but his name would flag.

“It sounds like you have an important job.” He held his hands out, low and pleading. “Let me take care of Calleigh. You go keep that wife-beater in jail.”

And just like that, he’d turned the situation around. He was back in her good graces.

She called and verified that they knew him at the daycare center, then gave permission for him to pick up her sister. Good, they were very familiar with him and his daughter. Heaving a sigh, she retrieved her purse and briefcase.

He exited the front door and waited while she set the alarm and locked the door.

They met at her car in the garage and although he raised an eyebrow, he held his tongue.

With ease, he removed the child seat. After he installed it in his vehicle, he jotted down his address on a sheet of paper. “Calleigh will be fine.”

“I’m trusting you.” Her smile was tight but was there. Without another word, she hopped in her car, waved, and drove off.

As he got into his very practical SUV, he chuckled. Somehow he hadn’t pictured Remy St. Claire driving a Mini Cooper in candy-apple red.

The woman was full of surprises.

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