Page 82

hallway without trying to make it obvious that she was waiting. She

covered the distance in quick strides.

“Right. The list.” Taylor had it ready. “Here you go. I have everyone’s

numbers, details about contacts, and what I’ve already discussed written

down. It’s quite thorough. You shouldn’t have any questions.”

Christina’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll make sure that she doesn’t

leave the office.” She, meaning Chloe. “But I really think that you need to

get a babysitter. She can’t be here. It’s not safe for a little kid.”

“Don’t you think that I didn’t realize that?” Taylor asked testily. “I’m

working on it. My parents are out since they’re too busy harvesting and

that’s even less safe than here. My friend might be able to do it, since she

doesn’t work during the day. I’m going to phone her at lunch and ask. I

tried calling yesterday, but they were busy with activities and didn’t have

time to talk and I didn’t want to just drop that on them.”

“Well…” Christina eyed the office door like it might burst open and a

zombified Chloe would come out to eat her brains.

“We want to get this done, right?” Taylor repeated, pressing into the

sore spot she knew Christina had. “You can help me with this. To get it

done. For both of us. Hmm?”

Christina held up the list. “I can help with this. I can do all of this. But

I’m not here to do childcare. Just so we’re clear.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that cracking the door and looking in to see if

a six-year-old child who is perfectly obedient is still there every thirty odd

minutes was considered childcare.”

Christina looked furious at that, for some reason that Taylor didn’t fully

understand. “This isn’t safe for her,” Christina huffed, harping on that issue

again.

Taylor rolled her eyes. “Believe me. She’s not going to leave that room.

Some kids might be monsters, but not her. If I tell her that she isn’t safe out

here, she’ll listen. She’s a good kid. Seriously, she’s going to be fine. I