Page 18 of Lock

I know that cute sound anywhere.

“Hi, baby.” I grin before I even see her.

Riley pushes in, stumbling when the door moves quicker than she does.

“Careful, muffin.”

My gaze snaps back to the doorway where Shelby steps in with a timid “forgive me” smile.

Stepping out from behind my desk, I crouch, enveloping my sweet girl into a bear hug. Squeezing tight, I rock us side to side.

Framing her face, I ask, “You hungry?” I don’t ask why she’s with the woman I’m obsessed with because whatever the reason, I already know I’m about to be furious, and that’s not my baby’s fault.

She’s with Shelby, so I know she’s safe and unharmed, and that’s the most important thing. I’ll deal with Sarah later.

“Uh-huh.” She nods.

“How do you ladies feel about Soul of Italy for dinner tonight?”

“Yes!” Riley yells, jumping up and down, waving the doll in her hand.

Shelby pauses. Before she can decline the offer, I push forward.

“It’s the least I can do,” I insist, gesturing to Riley.

Standing, I use my full height to crowd Shelby. At six foot, the height difference is just enough that she needs to strain her neck back.

“Carbs sound good,” she breathes.

Good.I don’t want to have to strong-arm her in front of Riley, especially if I’m about to get mad.

Stepping away, I retreat just long enough to grab my suit jacket, briefcase, and cell phone.

“Ladies first.” I gesture with my left hand.

Switching my briefcase to the other hand, I place my right palm on Shelby’s lower back. Together, we pause for Riley to skip ahead, then follow.

“Kathy, I’m finished for the day. Please close everything down. I’ll be back in a minute to lock up, and then you can go on and head home.”

My receptionist frowns. “Wasting an appointment that someone else needed is impolite.”

I feel Shelby’s back straighten beneath my hand. “Did someone else call needing to see the doctor?”

“No.”

“Then it wasn’t wasted.”

I look back and forth between the two normally polite women, clearly missing something. But it doesn’t matter, nor does it matter that Kathy has worked for me since we moved to town. I’ll always side with Shelby.

“You can call and make an appointment anytime,” I approve, rubbing my thumb back and forth.

She shivers under my touch.

Shelby opens her mouth to explain, but I shake my head. “Not here.”

I walk my girls to my car parked out front. Opening the back door, I turn my attention to Shelby as Riley climbs into the back seat. “Wait for me.”

Buckling my little girl in safely, I close the back to find Shelby closing the front passenger door behind herself.