Chapter 6 #2
Rebecca de la Rosa ran and owned the home-based day care Daisy attended.
In the everyone-knows-everyone-in-a-small-town vein, the entire staff at Hudson Security was good friends with Rebecca’s husband, Dante.
In fact, Dante and his brother, Cade, co-owned De La Rosa Gym, which they were all members of.
Hudson Security and De La Rosa Gym also operated a joint partnership in Hudson Tactical, a program that taught hand-to-hand combat and provided tactical training—weapons, marksmanship, and outdoor survival—to law enforcement groups, military units, and search and rescue teams.
“If she needs official authorization to release Daisy, have her call Alvarez.” Xander glanced at his watch again and grimaced. “But have her call him soon before he gets to the clinic.”
“On it,” Bean said. “Give Daisy a hug for us.”
Twenty minutes later, Xander parked Alvarez’s truck in front of the two-story house just outside of Hudson Island’s quaint downtown core. He checked his phone, hoping for some sort of update from Esme, but so far nothing.
Quickly getting out of the truck, he approached the front door. It opened before he could knock.
“Hey,” Rebecca said. She stood with her infant strapped to her chest in some sort of wrap contraption and motioned him inside. “I talked to Bean. Any updates on Scarlet?”
“Nothing yet,” he said, closing the door behind him.
“I’m so sorry we can’t keep Daisy longer. It usually wouldn’t be a problem, but we’re heading over to Seattle in a couple hours.”
“No worries.” He peeked into the playroom. Daisy was seated at a miniature table with Rebecca’s son, Rocco, and they were coloring. “Have you said anything to her?” he asked, dropping his voice.
“No, but I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.” Rebecca gave him a reassuring smile and stepped into the playroom. “Daisy, look who’s here to pick you up.”
Xander smiled and waved when Daisy’s bright-blue eyes landed on him. For a second, she simply stared at him, then she lit up.
“Xandy!” Daisy shot to her feet, her little mini chair nearly tipping over, and she raced toward him.
His insides warmed as he crouched low. She launched herself at him, confident that he’d catch her. And he would. Every damn time.
From the moment he’d met the sweet tiny dynamo, the little girl had him wrapped around her pinky finger.
She was a quiet and shy itty-bitty thing, but for some reason, she’d immediately felt comfortable with him.
Which was crazy because he knew he looked somewhat intimidating.
He was six-four, solid, was more often scruffy than clean-shaven, and had wild, unruly hair.
But the kid had taken one look at his man bun, declared it just like her mama’s, and been his little buddy ever since.
Then, as if he wouldn’t already do anything for the munchkin, she’d dubbed him Xandy.
Yeah. As far as he was concerned, the kid could do no wrong.
“Hey there, peanut,” Xander said, rising and settling her onto his hip. “Did you have a good day?”
“Peanut?” She giggled.
“Well, I called you popsicle last week and muffin the week before, so I figured I’d change it up again.” He bopped her on the nose. “Want to go to the playground with me?”
“Yeah!”
“Great. Let’s get out of here then,” he said, turning toward the door.
“But, Xandy, I gots to get Mr. Slothy!” When she wiggled in his arms, he set her down. She raced toward a set of cubbies on the opposite side of the room.
“Before you get Mr. Slothy, please go potty first,” Rebecca called out. “Then after you wash your hands, please get your jacket too.”
Xander chuckled, shaking his head. “Bathroom and jacket. I suppose those things would be helpful. I’ve babysat her before, but only at their house. Never where I drove her around or anything.”
Rebecca nudged him with her elbow. “You’ll be fine. She’s an easy kid. But you know, it wouldn’t hurt to remind her about going to the bathroom every hour or so.”
He frowned, his gaze going to the closed bathroom door by the cubbies. “She’s good to go by herself, right?”
“She is,” Rebecca said with a chuckle. “But if it’s a public bathroom, I’m sure no one will have a problem with you going in with her and waiting outside the stall. Or you can take her into the men’s bathroom.”
Appalled, his jaw dropped. “Have you been in a men’s bathroom?” He shot a glance at Rocco, still coloring, and dropped his voice to a whisper. “No way in hell am I bringing her into one. They’re disgusting.”
Rebecca laughed. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
He nodded with confidence he didn’t actually feel.
Daisy emerged from the bathroom, went to the miniature sink, and washed her hands. “We’ll make an afternoon of it. Besides, I’m not above bribery.” He shot Rebecca a grin, wagging his eyebrows. “I’m the fun uncle after all.”
“I’m ready!” Daisy announced from beside him. She had her beloved stuffed Mr. Slothy in one hand and her jacket in her other, dragging on the ground.
Dropping to one knee, he plucked her jacket out of her hand and helped her into it. “Can you say goodbye to Miss Rebecca and Rocco?”
She looked toward the table where Rocco still sat and waved. “Bye, Rocco! Bye, Miss Rebecca!”
“Goodbye, sweetheart. And don’t forget Miss Flora will be here the rest of the week.”
Daisy nodded. “You and Rocco and baby Caleb are gonna be in Seattle to see Rocco’s grandma and grandpa.”
“That’s right,” Rebecca said, walking them to the door. “And I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful angel for Miss Flora.”
Again, Daisy was nodding earnestly, and Xander couldn’t help but smile. The kid really was adorable.
“Thanks, Rebecca,” he said, giving the woman a wave.
“Keep me posted if you can,” she called out as he pressed the key fob to unlock Alvarez’s truck.
After giving Rebecca a chin lift, he bent to pick up Daisy and reached for the back passenger door.
“Xandy, your truck looks just like Daddy’s!”
He couldn’t help but smile at how she went back and forth between calling his friend Matty and Daddy.
He knew that Alvarez loved the little girl as if she were his own, and he knew his friend melted every time she called him Daddy.
“That’s because it is Matt’s truck, kiddo.
” He opened the door and waved his hand in a ta-da gesture, which had her giggling as he’d intended. “Now hop in, and I’ll buckle you in.”
He set her down in the truck, and she scrambled into her seat. “Xandy?” she asked once she was settled.
He stilled at her hesitant tone. “What’s on your mind, peanut?”
“Are Mama and Matty gonna be at the playground too?”
The worry for Scarlet sprouted anew in his gut. He didn’t want to worry Daisy, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. “No, peanut. Matt had to take your mama to the doctor. While they’re doing all that, me and you get to hang out. They’ll meet up with us later.”
“For dinner?”
He met her gaze and did his best to reassure her. “You know, I’m not sure when they’ll be done. But after the playground, if they’re not done yet, we can get some ice cream.”
She grinned. “For dinner?”
He shrugged. “Why not? Ice cream for dinner sounds good, doesn’t it?” He furrowed his eyebrows as he paused buckling her into her car seat. “Wait? You like ice cream, right? I mean, if you like broccoli more, we can get that for dinner instead.”
She giggled again. “I love ice cream, Xandy!”
“Phew!” He mimed wiping sweat from his brow and clicked her buckle into place. “Now you hang on to Mr. Slothy, and let’s hit the playground before it gets too dark.”
Half an hour later, Xander’s phone buzzed.
The short drive to the town’s playground had been uneventful, and Daisy was running around the jungle gym with Mr. Slothy.
He was thankful the place was deserted, because he didn’t want to deal with other kids.
Daisy was shy, and other kids, especially the older ones, often tried to steamroll her. Not acceptable in his book.
He pulled his phone from his jeans pocket and checked his messages. It was a group text with Esme and Bean.
Esme
Scarlet and the babies are okay. According to Alvarez, low blood sugar and dehydration were contributing factors. She’ll be at the clinic for another couple hours. They want to monitor her blood pressure and administer more IV fluids.
Xan, you’re on Daisy duty for a few more hours.
Not a problem. We’re at the playground and will grab dinner after.
Bean
Thanks for the update. How’s Alvarez doing?
Esme
Trying not to freak out. Apparently, Scarlet gave him a verbal smackdown when he suggested she stop working since she’s pregnant.
Xander winced. He was sure that didn’t go over well with Scarlet.
Idiot.
Esme
Right? Pretty sure he’s trying to figure out a way to get her OB to suggest bed rest without her finding out.
Bean
Haha! Good luck with that. Unlike Alvarez, Scarlet’s OB is not an idiot.
Can you ask Alvarez if they want me to bring Daisy home or to the clinic?
Esme
Sure. Hang on.
While he waited for Esme’s reply, he watched as Daisy settled herself on a swing with one hand clutching both the chain and Mr. Slothy. His lips twitched as she pumped her little feet, barely setting the swing in motion.
Walking toward her, he asked, “Want a push?”
“Yes, please!”
He plucked Mr. Slothy from her hand and tucked him into his jacket pocket. “Medium, high, or super high?”
“Super high!”
Medium it was. “Hold on tight with both hands, okay, peanut?”
Setting her in motion, he grinned when her high-pitched laughter rang out.
His phone buzzed. Continuing to push her with one hand, he checked his phone.
Esme
Alvarez says that if you want, you can bring her back to their house when you’re done at the playground. He’s expecting they’ll be home around six or seven.
Copy. We’ll get dinner before we head back.
Bean
What are you picking up for dinner?
I promised her ice cream after the playground. Then maybe some chicken nuggets and fries from Ray’s Diner.
Bean
Ugh. This is why you’re her favorite.