Chapter 17
LINDSEY
“Lindsey, you want breakfast?”
I lift my head, and Eli is standing next to the bed, staring at me. His hair is slicked back, and he’s already dressed for school. I shoot up in the bed, and thankfully, I bring the covers with me. “Oh, my God, school. You have school.”
He giggles at my antics. “Miller is making breakfast. He’s making pancakes!”
I hold up a finger. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
He runs from the room, and I shoot out of bed. Completely naked, I grab my clothes from last night, put them on, and then run across the hall to the bedroom I’d been using. I throw my hair up in a bun, take a quick shower, put clothes on, and practically sprint downstairs.
I’m out of breath when I walk into the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I—”
I’m cut off when Miller puts a coffee mug in my hand and leans in to kiss me.
My eyebrows lift when he pulls away, and he points at the coffee in my hand. “Sugar and too much cream, just the way you like it.”
“Thank you.” I blush.
He gives me a wink. “Anytime, sweetie.”
Eli is sitting at the island on a stool. “Aunt Lindsey, you have to try these pancakes. They’re so good.”
He takes a big bite and chews with his mouth wide open. I laugh. “Close your mouth when you chew, little man.”
He cheekily opens his mouth and then laughs before closing his mouth, chews, and swallows.
I look at the clock on the wall. “We’re going to have to leave soon. You need to finish up and go brush your teeth.”
He takes a big swig of orange juice, carries his plate and cup to the sink, thanks Miller for the pancakes, and then runs up the stairs. “Don’t run,” I remind him.
And he listens. He slows down until he’s upstairs and then runs again.
I turn to Miller. “Thank you for getting him up, getting him ready, and everything. I swear I’m more responsible than this.”
He puts a plate of pancakes down in front of me. “You needed your sleep.”
I look at the pancakes, and my stomach growls. “Those look so good, but I’m going to have to get on the road or else he’s going to be late.”
Miller runs his hand across his face. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
I tense. How can I not? “Okay…”
He stands across from me, his back against the counter, his legs crossed at the ankles. “I’m sending Mike with Eli to school.”
My mouth drops. “What? Why would you do that? Do you think the Davenports would—”
He comes toward me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I really don’t know what they’re capable of, but why chance it when we can ensure his safety?”
I blurt out, “But the principal is not just going to let some man hang out all day at the school.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Yes, she will. Besides the fact I used to date Principal Carter, I also made a big donation to the school yesterday. Mike passes all background checks, and he’s a former Seal.
He’s the perfect one to keep Eli safe.” He puts his hands up.
“But you tell me. You make the call. If this is not something you want, we can do it your way.”
I would be crazy to not take him up on this. I’m constantly worried about Eli, and he’s offering a way to keep him safe. “Okay, yes, please.”
Eli comes running down the stairs. “Did you ask her?” he asks Miller.
Miller blushes. “I talked to Eli about this first thing this morning and then realized I should have talked to you first. I’m sorry.” He puts a hand to his chest. “I’m still learning.”
Eli is practically vibrating. “Please, Aunt Lindsey?”
I put a hand on the top of his head. “Yes, Mike will be going to school with you. But you need to behave and pay attention and do your work.”
He nods his head vigorously. “I will. I promise.”
He hugs me around the waist and then hugs Miller.
With a hand on Eli’s shoulder, Miller says sheepishly, “Uh, Mike is outside waiting.”
I blurt out a laugh. “I guess you knew I’d say yes?”
He leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “I knew you’d want him safe.”
After telling Eli bye, Miller walks him outside to Mike. I sit down and take a bite of the pancakes. They’re fluffy, buttery, and perfect. I moan with one bite. The man is handsome, protective, and he can cook. I’m in heaven.
Shortly, Miller walks back into the house. He’s wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and right now, he doesn’t look anything like the stuffy billionaire I took pictures of when I first met him.
I take a bite of the pancake and say the first thing that comes to mind. “So you dated Mrs. Carter?”
He sits down next to me, fitting my legs between his. “In high school. Do you wanna know how many years ago that was?”
I take another bite of the pancake to avoid looking at him. I'm trying to make it like I’m joking. There’s no need for him to know that I’m really jealous.
I glance at him and let my gaze travel down his body and back up again. “She’s divorced now. Did she tell you that?”
He shrugs. “She mentioned it.”
I clear my throat. “What else did she mention?”
His hand goes to my thigh. “Just ask me whatever you’re thinking in that pretty little head of yours.”
I set my fork down and look at him. “Fine. Did she ask you out?”
He smiles. “Are you jealous, Lindsey?”
I can feel the heat rise in my face, but I try to explain my way out of it. “No, but I mean, if we’re supposed to be having some kind of fake relationship, people aren’t going to believe it if you start making booty calls to the school.”
He laughs with his whole chest and only stops laughing when he sees I haven’t joined in. “You’re serious.”
I shrug and look back at my plate.
He turns my stool so I’m facing him. “Yes, she asked me out. But I told her that I’m in a relationship with you.”
I roll my eyes, pull from his hold, and look down at the food in front of me. “This is really good. Where did you learn to cook?”
“Don’t be too impressed. I can make pancakes, spaghetti, grill most anything, but that’s about it.” He clears his throat. “My mom and dad taught me. You and Eli will meet them when they come back.”
I finally look at him. “Come back from where?”
He settles into his seat. “Well, since they’ve retired, they travel a lot. That may change now that—” He stops, and I can’t help thinking that he’s wondering if his parents will accept Eli as a grandchild. “What do you want to do today?”
I take another bite of the pancake and then get up to start straightening the kitchen. “Well, I’m going to go out and try and find some work. Usually I have spring pictures at the schools, but they froze my contract. They said something about budget cuts, but I know there’s more to it.”
He scratches his hand across his face. “I thought we talked about this. You were going to focus on Eli and not worry about work for awhile.”
I stop what I’m doing and stare up at him. “I have to work.”
He nods in understanding. “I know you want to work, and I want you to do whatever you want to do, but I want you to wait until I have this handled with the Davenports.”
I eye him suspiciously. “What are you not telling me?”
He puts his hands on his hips. “Zach and Logan are looking into the Davenports, but I also had them look into Tammy’s car accident.”
I feel the blood drain from my face. “And…”
He runs his hand across his beard. “Well, the report says she ran off the road, but when Logan inspected the car, he found that the brake line had been cut.”
My mouth drops open, and my hand flies to my chest. “What?”
He walks toward me with slow movements. “Yeah. They are still looking into it, but it looks like it wasn’t an accident.”
I shake my head slowly. “But… how… why?”
He puts his hands on my shoulders. “I dunno, but we’re looking into it, and until we figure it out, I want you to stick with me.”
I’m in shock, trying to make sense of all this. “But Eli?”
He runs his hands up and down my arms. “The Davenports wouldn’t hurt Eli. I think they’re doing this to get Eli.”
My eyes widen. “You think they killed Tammy to get Eli?”
He shrugs. “Nothing is definite, but until we know, I’m going to make sure you and Eli are safe.”
I feel like the world is spinning around me, but I nod as if it all makes sense. “Okay, I’ll stick around here.” I search his eyes. “I’m so sorry that I got you mixed up in this, Miller.”
He pulls me to his chest. “I’m not. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He looks at the clock on the wall. “The housekeeper is going to be here soon. I’m going to have her move all your things to my room.”
I rear back and look up at him. “You have a housekeeper?” and just as quickly, I nod my head. “Of course you do. Let me clean. I can cook. I have to earn our keep somehow.”
He smiles. “It’s fine. I promise. Brianna has worked for me for ten years, and she enjoys this job.”
I back away, still trying to process. “Uh, okay, well, I’m going to go up and start unpacking all of my and Eli’s things. I think they brought everything.”
He nods. “I told them to bring everything except for your furniture. It’s in storage. I didn’t want to touch anything at Tammy’s until you went through it, so I paid the lease up for the next six months to give you time.”
My head drops. “Storage fees, lease, I already owe you so much.” I suck in a breath. “And I called the funeral home. They said the bill had been paid.”
He puts his hands in his pockets. “I’m just trying to make this easier for you, Linds.”
My eyes widen. “That’s what Tammy called me.”
He puts a hand to his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I can—”
I stop him. “No, it’s okay. I like it. I like you calling me that.”
He nods and puts an arm around my shoulders. “Why don’t you go up and lie down? Take a bath, maybe read.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Really. I’m going to go put things away.”
“Do you want me to help?”
“No!” I say, and then softer, “No, I’m fine. I’m sure you have work to do. I got it.”
I turn on my heel and walk out of the kitchen. It takes everything inside me not to ask him to come with me.