“This is Dad’s.” He sank down in the new leather chair, opened the center drawer of the desk, and closed it.
“You need it more than he does.”
“Marlow, I don’t know what to say.” Baker moved behind Holt, resting her hands on the chair.
“You love it would be okay.”
The squeeze to my neck was sharper this time.
“I love it.” A corner of Holt’s mouth lifted. “It’s like a sanctuary. Maybe I won’t mind doing the business stuff so much in here.”
“Thank you.” My sister-in-law crossed the distance between us and put her arms around me.
With hesitance, I returned the embrace. The squeeze to my neck was gentler this time as I looked to Patrick. He’d taught me to be more affectionate.
“Now we’re ready for the big day,” I said. “What time should I be here tomorrow? Six thirty?”
“Marlow.” Holt spoke my name like a warning. “You can’t be the receptionist.”
“Because I’m getting fat? I’m pregnant, not handicapped.”
Baker stifled a snicker.
“Because you have things to do and—yeah, that’s why.” Holt looked toward his wife for help.
“You’re still mad at me,” I concluded. Patrick had spoiled me by just letting things go. Apparently the rest of my family didn’t feel the same.
Baker squeezed my fingers. “Still stung. But that’s not why.”
I pretended the hurt that seared me didn’t matter. To hell with what they said. I’d show up tomorrow anyway. They’d realize they needed me.
“Sis, you’re not exactly a teddy bear.”
“I can be nice.” I elbowed Patrick in the side. “Tell them I can be nice.”
“She’s not that nice.” He kissed my temple, and I scowled.
“Fine. You think I’ll piss off the customers. I get it.” I probably would, but I wanted to help here for reasons I couldn’t explain.
“We could give it a try. See how it works.”
Holt’s gaze shot to Baker in a have you lost your ever-loving mind look. Of all people to stick up for me, I didn’t deserve for it to be her, but I appreciated it nonetheless.
He let out a long sigh. “Trial period. But you can’t make people mad.”
“Blake will make up for anything I say.”
“Unless he calls them an ass,” Patrick said helpfully.
Baker laughed. “I hope I’m here for that if he does.”
“Are you staying on at the magazine?”
“Yeah. I’m learning so much, and I love it there.” Her face turned a happy shade of pink.
“You can hit up your boss for business. Does she have a car?”
I rolled my eyes. Patrick, the enterpriser.
“She has a driver. I’ll talk to him.” She brightened.
Holt scrubbed his forehead. “What if nobody shows up tomorrow? Or the next day? Or the day after that?”
“They’ll come,” I promised, and they all looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “What?”
“When did you start telling me what I want to hear?” He leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk.
“I’m not. I’m being honest.” I shrugged. “So it might not be tomorrow or the next day, but in time, they will.”
“Is that my sister spouting rainbows?” Andrew strolled in behind Trish and Ella. He rubbed my hair, causing some of it to loosen from the knot it was tied in.
“Call me Sunshine,” I said with a fake smile.
“Never, Wicked,” Patrick murmured in my ear. A shiver rolled through me.
“Think they’ve broken in the bathroom down here?” I whispered back.
“You want me to bend you over the sink?”
“What are you two whispering about?” Andrew slapped Patrick’s hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“You sure? Gummy wants another cousin. What I have in mind is a sure fire way to make that happen.” He slid his hands across my stomach as he nuzzled my neck.
“Thank God you’re here, old man.” Andrew slung his arm around Trish when our father stepped into the office. “Patrick wants to tell me how to make a baby.”
“At least he didn’t offer a demonstration,” I said.
Holt covered his ears. “No. No. No. This discussion ends now.”
Baker peeled his hand away. “I don’t know. Maybe we need to hear it.” She winked at him, and his mouth dropped open.
“We should’ve started a day care.” Dad pulled me in for hug. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“Good, Daddy.”
He kissed the top of my head and rubbed my stomach before shaking Patrick’s hand. “You taking good care of my daughter and grandkids?”
“Yes, sir.” Patrick embraced him for a long moment. Then he turned to Mrs. Quinn and kissed her cheek. “What’s wrong, Mom?” He frowned and held her at arm’s length.
She glanced down, and Dad squeezed her shoulder. “It’s Cricket. She didn’t come back to the shelter last night. I haven’t seen her all day.”
“She worked yesterday,” Trish said, a crease forming on her forehead.
“Have you talked to her today?” The hope in Mrs. Quinn’s voice had Trish’s face twisting with worry.
“No.”
She knotted her hands in front of her. “I’m afraid she’s gotten herself back into trouble.”
“I’ll get my guy on it.” Patrick already had his phone out. In seconds, it vibrated with a response to his text. “He’s headed to check where he’s seen her before.”
“What if he can’t find her?”
I’d rarely seen Mrs. Quinn lose her composure, but a fine sheen covered her eyes.
“He found Dara. It may take some time, but he’ll find Cricket too.”
I took his fingers in mine, grateful he was here, not just for me, but our whole family.
“Will you let me know when you hear something?” Trish gripped the handles of Ella’s stroller.
“You got it.”
“El.” Blake reached out for his partner in crime. She screamed back.
“I brought the double stroller.” Dad pointed toward the reception area. “Shall we head to Dino’s?”
“Let’s do it. I’m starved.” Holt stood and admired his new desk one more time before ushering us out of the office.
Patrick and I lagged behind. “You were coming tomorrow whether they said okay or not.” He grinned at me.
“Maybe.”
“Little dude is going with me tomorrow. We’ll bring you and Gummy lunch.”
“That’s not fair. He should come with me.”
“You always have Gummy with you.” He nipped
