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The hint of concern in his tone had her rushing to answer. “No. Not at all.”Liar.

Once he saw the contract, he’d lose his shit. “You know how I feel about stuff... People.”

He sighed. “Yeah. I wish you’d see yourself how Kenny and I do.”

“Well, it won’t happen any time soon,” she muttered.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I said I can’t wait to see you,” she stated, covering her ass.

“Me neither. See you in a couple of hours.”

Dave hung up just as there was a knock at her door. She tilted her head. Edward was standing there. His bright green eyes flashed a hint of mischief and a bit of unpredictability. Scarlett sat up a bit as he approached. He, like Kenny, was handsome. His skin had been sun-kissed from working outside while he’d been employed with the sanctuary. He was muscular too, more so than Kenny and Dave. His sandy-blond hair fell over his brow in loose wavy curls, giving him a boyish appearance.

“Miss Leon,” he said, his deep voice surprising her. “Kenny wanted me to tell you to be ready at noon. We will be accompanying you to Mr. Youngblood’s office.”

“Oh,” she said, confused momentarily. “You’re coming with us?”

“Yes, ma’am if that isn’t a problem.” His gaze didn’t quite meet hers.

“Look at me,” she said.

He raised his gaze to hers.

“Now, that’s better. It’s only a scar, Ed. Nothing to be afraid of.”

He recoiled and made a sour face. “I’m sorry if you believe I am afraid of you, Miss. I’m not. I’ve heard from workers you don’t like people staring at you.”

She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, Ed.”

“Not a problem.” He grinned and it transformed his features from boyish to downright handsome. “I think you’re sexy as fuck. Kind of intimidating. Saw you staring out over the sanctuary earlier. I get now why Kenny calls you the Queen Lioness around here.”

She ran her tongue along the inside of her teeth. “Does he now?”

Edward nodded. “Damn right he does.”

She laughed. “I’ll see you a little before noon, Ed. Tell Kenny to keep his mouth shut and to be ready.”

“Will do, boss lady.” He gave a quick wave then hurried from the office.

If she had to guess, he was in his mid-twenties which gave him a bit of a younger affability. Maybe she did intimidate him and maybe he was just trying to stroke her ego. Either way, she smiled as she continued to put together the information she’d gathered about the loan.

“Auntie Scarlett?” Her niece knocked on her door before stepping into her office. The younger version of her mother, Maisie, folded her hands in front of her.

“Hey, sweet girl,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

“Can we have lunch together?” Samantha had come from the product of a one-night stand. Maisie never said who the guy was or what happened, other than she wouldn’t give the precious girl up for adoption or abort her. At the time, she believed her sister, now... Maisie used the little girl more as a prop than loved her as her daughter.

“I’m sorry, Sam, I have a work lunch.” She stood then walked around the desk. “But I heard your mother has another one of her charity things tonight so if you want, we can have dinner and watch scary movies.”

The girl glanced up at her with sparkling grey eyes. “I’d like that.”

At ten, the little girl had always calledHearts and Pawshome. She ran around the place with such a carefree spirit, Scarlett wished she still had. Like Scarlett and Maisie, Samantha had tutors who came to the sanctuary to homeschool her as well. In a way, Scarlett hated it for her niece. She deserved to be with kids her age, not stuck around a bunch of adults—that was another bone of contention between Maisie and Scarlett.

"Great. I'll see you at five for dinner." She hugged Samantha and tucked one of her curly wheat-colored locks behind her ear.

“Pizza?” Her niece folded her hands in front of her. “Please? Mom doesn’t let me eat it very much.”