Page 18 of Delayed Penalty

“I just…” She trails off, shaking her head as she begins wiping down the display cases that aren’t at all dirty. “Well, I just don’t know what he’s going to do. I feel so awful for them. I would take her in myself, but…”

If she wasn’t working so hard at making her dreams come true with the bakery, I have no doubt mymother would scoop that little girl into her arms and love her all season long. She can’t do that, so she’s trying to help in the only way she knows how to—fixing the situation for them.

I dare a peek back over at Hayes and am surprised to find him staring at me with hard eyes, brows pulled tightly together. I smile, and that gets him to look away, back at Flora, who hasn’t moved a muscle. He sighs, his shoulders rolling forward, and that same sadness from before hits me again. They really do look like they’re struggling. It’s like they don’t have a clue how to navigate this new life of theirs.

“What happened?” I ask my mom.

“Hmm?”

I nod toward Hayes and Flora. “Why does she live with him now?”

She lifts her shoulder. “I don’t know. Hayes hasn’t told me, and I haven’t asked. I figured it was none of my business.”

Yet she thinks helping himisher business.

“Look, it was just a suggestion,” my mother says. “If you don’t want to help him, don’t. I’m sure he’ll find someone, just like you said. He has some time until the season really starts.”

Yeah, but not enough time. I know it, she knows it, and I bet Hayes damn sure knows it. He’s screwed, and I know a thing or two about that with my unpaid creditcards and utility bills stacking up. And, oh yeah, my lack of income.

Perhaps my mom is right. Maybe thiscouldsolve both of our problems. Even if it’s just for a few weeks until he finds someone permanent and I find a new job somewhere I actually want to work, it’ll still help us both out. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? I can handle a few weeks of babysitting. Easy-peasy, right?

“What are you doing?” Mom asks when I grab the plated donut and bagel.

“I’m taking them their breakfast,” I say nonchalantly.

But it’s not casual enough because my mother grins like she’s just won a giant stuffed bear from a claw machine on the first try.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Her grin grows. “Nothing at all, dear.”

I narrow my eyes at her, sliding past. I blow out a breath, then push my shoulders back, pasting on the best customer service smile I can muster as I make my way out to the floor.

Hayes catches me approaching in his periphery, his brows cinching tighter together the closer I get.

I’m about to ask a hockey player for a job…and I’m pretty sure he hates me.

CHAPTER 5

HAYES

I’m not sure what it is, but the way she’s smiling at me is unsettling, like she’s going to kill me in my sleep.

Quinn, I mean. Not Flora. She hardly ever smiles, and when she does, it’s cute, not like the stiff, toothyexpression Quinn is currently sporting.

I was relieved when she turned her mother down on her “genius” idea. It saved me from having to do it. After all the stuff I’ve heard about her, it’s clear Quinn isn’t capable of taking care of herself, let alone another human. I appreciate Bess trying to solve my predicament, but I promise her daughter isn’t the answer.

She makes her way through the bakery, not stopping until she’s at the edge of our table. Then she just stands there, unmoving and still smiling.

See? Unsettling.

After nearly a minute of the awkwardness, I lift a brow. “Yes?”

“Oh!” She shakes her head, seemingly snapping herself out of it. “I brought your breakfast.”

She settles my bagel in front of me, then slides Flora’s donut across the way.

“Extrasprinkles,” Quinn says, tossing the kid a wink.

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