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Lauren shot a look at Jack, who was stolidly chewing his sandwich, not looking at either of the females.
“Your daddy gets cookies…if he wants them.”
She knew he was listening because he shot her a glance that she couldn’t read. But he said nothing.
Ally leaned toward her father. “They taste good, Daddy. You’ll like them.”
“Thank you, baby. I’m sure I will,” he muttered.
Lauren thought his words were encouraging. She ventured another suggestion. “Mr. Rogers starts in a few minutes. Would it be all right for Ally to stretch out on the sofa for her nap and watch that show until she falls asleep?”
“She might get the sofa dirty.”
“I’ll put down a sheet so she’ll be comfortable. I’m afraid your hammering might make it hard for her to sleep in the office.”
“Fine.”
Then she passed him the plate of cookies. After hesitating, he took two.
“I think you might want more than that. The cookies are small.”
He took another four. “I’ll eat these while I’m working. Thank you for lunch.” He stood to leave, then he thought about his daughter. “Ally, go right to sleep, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.” Her smile was big.
With an irritated look for Lauren, he strode out of the kitchen.
“I think Daddy is still mad.”
“No, sweetie, he’s just frustrated.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, uh, Daddy wants things to go one way but they’re going the other way.”
“But I think he liked the cookies,” Ally said, a hopeful sound in her voice.
“Yes, I’m sure he did. Now, we’ve got to get you settled for your nap.”
JACK TRIED to concentrate on his work, but Lauren’s confession about her motherhood stayed with him. It took a lot for a person to raise her brothers and sisters.
And here he’d maligned her in his mind. He’d thought she was just being bossy, but instead she was quite experienced. As well as being beautiful. He’d noticed that at once, when she’d first opened the door. So if she was so sweet, why was she called The Shark?
Judge Robinson, who wasn’t really a judge anymore, but had once been one, felt that term was one of admiration. He should know since he was the attorney in charge of the law firm. But Jack had thought it was one of disrespect.
Maybe he needed to visit with the judge. After all, Lauren seemed to be spending a lot of time with his daughter. And what was he going to do for tomorrow? Was he going to have to bring Ally with him again?
He gradually lost himself in his work. Loving the work he did was a big benefit. It made the days fly by. Then he had the evenings with Ally. She was such a sweetheart, making him feel fortunate to have his little girl.
So he was feeling good again when the door opened. He turned to see the woman from his thoughts.
He put down his tools. “Is Ally causing a problem?”
“Of course not,” she told him calmly. “But I want to talk to you, please.”
“About what?” he demanded.
“About Ally. You see, I don’t have enough to do right now, and I thought maybe you could continue to bring your little girl and I could take care of her. It doesn’t require much time, since she watches Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers and takes a nap.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? Do you have a place you can leave her?”
“No, but I’ll find one.”
“So why choose to leave her with strangers? Why not keep her here where you’ll know what’s going on?”
“I don’t think a lawyer should be spending her time taking care of my child. I can’t afford such expensive help.”
“You’d be doing me a favor.”
“Why?”
“I told you. I don’t have enough to do!”
“Care to explain why you have nothing to do for four weeks, but you’re not taking your vacation?”
Her cheeks turned red, drawing his attention. “I—I—Judge Robinson, the head of our firm, says I’m about to burn out and he wanted me to take some time off so it wouldn’t happen. I couldn’t convince him that wasn’t going to happen, so he’s banned me from the office for four weeks.”
“And you want to entertain yourself with my child? I don’t think so.”
“Are you suggesting I wouldn’t take good care of her? How dare you!”
“I think halfway through the four weeks, you’ll find a way to work your way into Judge Robinson’s good graces again and you’ll abandon Ally. That’d hurt her.”
“How would it hurt her any more than leaving her with a bunch of strangers? And you never said why they closed your child care center. What happened?”
“They left a child on the bus and he died,” he said in a low voice. “He was five years old and he’d fallen asleep.”
She stared at him. Finally, she said, “That’s awful. Was Ally—”
“No. She’s too young to go on field trips.”
“I’m so glad.” After a moment, she said, “So if you bring her here, she’ll be safe.”
“I don’t know that.”
“Yes, you do. I’ll take good care of her and you can see her whenever you want.”
“I don’t want you to teach her things,” Jack insisted.
Lauren stared at him. “You think teaching her how to make cookies will harm her?”
“No, but I won’t have you teaching her to—to argue or talk back.”
“You mean to act like a lawyer? Don’t you think she’s a little young to start her career just yet?”
“I just don’t want you to fill her head with—with stuff.”
“I’m not going to harm Ally in any way. I’ll make sure she’s happy. That’s all.”
“Fine,” he agreed, using his favorite response.
“Fine,” she replied. She left the office, closing the door behind her.
Jack stood there, his hands on his hips, staring at the space she’d occupied. This was a bad idea. He couldn’t keep his distance from her if she was taking care of Ally. And he didn’t want to get any closer to her.
Ever since his former girlfriend had told him she didn’t want their baby and given the infant to him, he’d avoided female companionship. He didn’t want Ally to become close to a woman who wouldn’t stay.
Their relationship would only last four weeks. He’d have to prepare Ally for that parting. The more he thought about it, the more he thought it was a huge mistake. Maybe he should go back and tell Lauren he’d reconsidered.
He put down his tools and turned toward the door. But he hadn’t taken more than a step when he stopped, changing his mind. Ally was happy. And in four weeks, he could get her in one of the schools he’d talked to. They’d have an opening then.
Picking up his drill, he began work again. But his mind remained fixed on the lawyer who wanted to take care of his child.
LAUREN STARED at the child sleeping peacefully on her sofa. She’d wanted to take care of Ally and now she could. Jack had agreed.
How strange that she’d reached out to this little girl. After raising her brothers and sisters, she’d decided she didn’t want to have children. But she’d taken the first opportunity to care for this child. She thought it had something to do with her having buried the memories of raising her family. It had been difficult, with years of self-denial, especially in her teens. Dates she couldn’t go on, parties she couldn’t attend. But raising her siblings had also been joyful. And it was the joy that she had forgotten.
Till now.
Ally was such a sweetheart. Lauren enjoyed the child, her open and honest responses. And taking care of her would give Lauren something to focus on during her imposed hiatus.
She sat down at the kitchen table and worked out activities for Ally. She wanted the little girl to enjoy the time she spent with her. Maybe she should buy some art supplies, some books with cutouts, or storybooks.
Her excitement faded when Jack appeared in the doorway and said, “Look, I’ve been thinking about this and maybe it’s not a good idea.”
She stared at him. Then she gestured to the chair opposite her. “Let’s talk about it.”
“That’s the last thing I want to do with a lawyer. You always think you can outtalk everyone. I’m a carpenter!”
“A carpenter who had a large business before he sold it,” she pointed out. “Judge Robinson told me you were a major player in the real estate market here in Dallas, so don’t play the innocent with me!”
“I’m not trying to mislead you. You’re known for your ability to argue your case. But I’m talking about my daughter. She’s not open for discussion.”
“Why?”
His eyebrows soared. “Because I have the final say about my child. And I think, one-on-one, you’re going to get too close to her. She’ll think—She’s going to see you as—I don’t want to risk it.”
“She’ll see me as what?”
“Damn it, she’ll see you as a mother. As her possible mother!”
“I’m sure she won’t. All I’m offering is to take care of her for four weeks, while you make my office for me. I don’t see that as a problem.”
“You may not, but I do! So, I’ll find a place for her to go to school. That’s all.”
She continued to plead her case. “What if you don’t?”
“I will. Don’t concern yourself.”
“Of course I’m concerned! And there’s no need to enlist a group of strangers to take care of Ally when I’m right here and willing to care for her.”
He held his ground. “I’ll find a place for her.”
“But she likes it here!”
His voice rose as his patience unraveled. “I don’t care!”
“But—”
“Daddy? Why are you yelling at Lolly?” Ally asked from the doorway.
Chapter Three
Jack turned to stare at his daughter. “Who the hell—I mean, who is Lolly, sweetheart?”
Lauren cleared her throat. “My little brother used to call me that because it’s easier to say than Lauren. It’s about the only L word children learn quickly. I told Ally she could call me Lolly.”
Jack glared at her. “I guess that’s better than calling you—Never mind. I still don’t think her staying here is a good idea.”
“Suppose we try it for a few days. If it’s not working out, you can find another place.”
And suddenly Jack could no longer argue. He didn’t have the stamina. Maybe that was why they called her The Shark. The woman was relentless. “I’m going to keep looking. When I find a place, I’m putting her in it. So be prepared.”
He spun around to leave and found himself facing his daughter. “Sweetheart, you’re going to stay with—with Lolly until I can find a place for you to go to school.”
Ally’s face broke into a big smile. “I like that.”
Muttering about women, Jack stalked down the hall.
LAUREN’S SMILE matched Ally’s. “I hope you’re happy staying here, Ally. I am.”
“I love it, Lolly. Maybe Daddy won’t ever be able to find a place for me!”
“Well, it will only be for four weeks, sweetheart. Then I’ll have to go back to work.”
“Where do you work?”
