“Stop being an ass and help me.” Jude told her she was. “I don’t want a baby, dumb ass. I want a kid. Like Tracy.”
“You want someone to pull out when you’re bored and need someone to go with you.” Remi started shaking her head. “Yes, that’s all you’re talking about. I’m sure if you got a kid like Tracy, you’d find out that it’s a lot of work to have them want to go anyplace with you. Tracy is driving soon, and I’m betting I don’t get to have fun with her much more. She’ll be hanging with her own friends then.”
“That kid worships you.” Jude told Remi she did her too. “But she’s not mine. I want what you have.”
“I’d like to tell you that’s sweet, but it’s not what you want. I mean, think about what you’re saying to me. You want a kid. You want to go shopping with it. You want to have fun. What about what this kid is going to want?” Remi frowned like she was confused. “Tracy trusts me not to leave her at the side of the road when we’re finished with lunch. You haven’t mentioned the child staying with you. Twenty-four seven. That’s what you get when you have a kid. Also, you neglected to mention things like shopping for her. Or buying food so that it’s in the house when you’re not with her. What do you think this kid is going to do when you’re wrapped up in your work and can’t be going out with her? Usually, kids start out as infants and grow into the children that Tracy and Abe are. Are you really that bored you want a child to rear? Or do you want to handpick someone to be your companion?”
“I don’t know now.” Jude stood up and helped Remi up. “I’m not going to be any good at raising a family, Jude. I don’t want babies around. I don’t want to even think about having one either. I love my life the way it is. I get to make food for the restaurant, then watch to see if people like it or not. From what you’re saying, this kid will also judge me.”
“Yes, they do. I am incredibly lucky in that I have Tracy now. In a couple more years, she’s going to be off to college. Maybe find a man to love her, as well as have children of her own. Not for a long time yet, but it’s in her future.” Remi nodded. “Also, what if you find your mate and you find out he hates kids? And especially the one you picked up to have lunch with you. What will you do then?”
“He will not come between me and my child.” Jude laughed when Remi shouted about that. “Okay, you’ve made your point. I need to think about what I really want in life, and understand there are consequences with my choices.”
“I was serious when I told you to take Tracy when you want someone to hang around with. Abe, too if you want. He’s the best person to have a long discussion with. It doesn’t even have to be about anything in particular. Abe is smart, and he has all sorts of opinions on a great many things.” Remi asked if she was serious. “About Abe? Yes. He goes out with Duncan’s grandda a couple of times a week. Even his grandma comes over and gets him when she’s onto her next big project.”
“I think I might take you up on that. I mean, really. He’s a great kid, and he is smart.” Jude nodded. “All right. I’m ready to figure this out now. What’s going on with the lines? I’m sure you’ve not only figured it out, but you also know how to fix it.”
“Look above you.” Jude watched the line she was set to watch as Remi watched the lines coming between the two rooms. As soon as she saw what Jude had found after coming here for a couple of days, Remi looked at her. “I don’t know where he lives when he’s not stealing boxes from the line, but I have to put a stop to it. I wonder if other faeries are living in this place that are making it their home.”
“I’d say there are. He isn’t incredibly sneaky about his theft, is he? I mean, he didn’t bother hiding himself when he noticed I was looking at him.” Jude told her how he’d been in the break room when she’d been there. “Did he speak to you?”
“No. I think he’s realized I’m the queen and he’s afraid of me. I’m also thinking if he’s having to steal whatever he takes, he needs a job as well.” Remi asked her what she had in mind. “It’s why I brought you along with me. You can talk to him without him being terrified. I was hoping he’ll speak to you easier than he would me.”
Remi waited for the faerie to come out on the line again and yelled at him to meet her in the dining area. When she winked at her and left, Jude wondered how this would end. Remi wasn’t a straight to the point speaker. It took her longer to tell a joke than anyone wanted to wait for the punch line.
After about twenty more minutes of watching the line, Jude made her way to the office and sat at her desk to await Remi. She’d have to leave here soon, she realized. Duncan had been called out of town right after he’d left the house. He’d not have been able to make the meeting this morning, even if he’d been able to leave on time. Sometimes it sucked to be in charge of large operations. Smiling, she wondered what he’d say when he returned, and she told him about the faerie.
She didn’t know his name. However, what she did know about him was a lot. He’d been stealing things from right
