Page 7 of Loup Garou

I replayed my words in my head.

Yep, I did. Good for me.

Chapter Two

Stopping outside of a multicolored door,I smiled. “Umm, my class is down and around the corner. I’ll be there in a minute if you’d like to wait.”

Arching a brow, he eyed the door. “Is this your office?”

“No, but I am stopping in and saying good morning to them whether or not it interrupts your schedule.” I knocked and then opened the door to the center’s daycare room to find the room full of children. They ranged in age from about two to five and were already beginning the activities planned for them.

They took one look at me and their faces lit up. Mine did too. “Lindsay!”

“Linds.”

“Windsay!”

“Zay-zay.”

The variations of my name and anything close to my name poured out of the children as they scurried towards me. Bending down, I put my arms out and they cuddled in close to me. “Good morning, how’s everyone doing today?”

Mrs. Fenton, a retired schoolteacher and now full-time children’s activity coordinator for the rec center, waved at me. “Morning, Lindsay. I was just going to come and find you.” She glanced at Jenny, a full-time daycare provider. “Will you take over here for me?”

“Sure.” Jenny nodded. “Morning, Lindsay.” She eyed Exavier. It was clear she thought he was handsome. I couldn’t agree more. “Morning, Lindsay’s friend.”

Aisha, one of the children, tugged on my sweatshirt. “That man is very big.”

Glancing back at Exavier, I licked my lower lip. “Yes, he is.”

Rickie ran up to me and wrapped his hand in my hair. “He’s hug-bage.”

Snickering, I nodded. “Huge. Yes.” I eyed Mrs. Fenton. “Has the speech pathologist been in this week to work with him?”

She shook her head and put her hands up. “Now, don’t go calling her and making trouble, Lindsay. She’s a busy woman. I think she covers two districts.”

“I know. I want you to touch base with Myra. Tell her to dig through that rolodex thing she makes me keep and find the number to the children’s hospital. She’ll know what to do. It’s spooky how well that woman knows me.”

Mrs. Fenton gave me a knowing look. “You cannot go forcing big time doctors to come down here twice a week for Rickie. It doesn’t matter how cute he is.”

“I kuut,” Rickie said, grinning from ear to ear.

I ruffled his hair. “You are adorable.” I glanced up at Mrs. Fenton. “He will be paid to come. Trust me, Myra will handle it and I’d really appreciate it if we not talk about it in front of…” I motioned my head towards Rickie who took it as a sign to kiss me.

He planted a big, wet kiss on my cheek and hugged my neck tight. “Wuv, Windsay.”

Pinching his chubby little cheeks, I laughed. “Listen to you, big boy. You’re three now, huh? Did you have a birthday yesterday?”

Mrs. Fenton came and stood before me. She put her hand on her hip and gave me a pointed stare. “I think you know he did. In fact, from what his mother told me this morning when she dropped him off, the entire block now knows it was his birthday.”

I cringed. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re hinting at.”

“Oh, really.” She tapped her foot. The woman had schoolteacher written all over her. She had a way of making me feel as though I had to be on my best behavior. “So, you have no idea why a mini circus showed up on his street with a permit, lunch, presents and a cake?”

I batted my eyes and did my best to appear innocent. Somehow, I don’t think it worked.

Mrs. Fenton pursed her lips. “Right, just like you have no idea how a group of ballerinas showed up for Aisha’s birthday and took her and her family to dinner and their show. Just like you have no idea how the—”

I shrugged. “Uncle. Maybe I did hear something about it all.”

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