Ranger Guardian

Jerry wasn’t the only one who needed results. Climbing the FBI ladder had been her dream for as long as she could remember. She needed a big win in her column. Someday she wanted to be the agent in charge, the boss, the person others reported to.

But, honestly, she couldn’t remember why.

Did she want to be behind a desk making all the decisions without the full picture? Did she want to move and take Skylar Dawn away from her life here? And, more importantly, away from her father?

Like my mother did?

God, the realization stopped her in her tracks. That wasn’t the plan when their argument started. Well, marrying and having a child had never been a part of her life plan either. She rubbed her palms together as she continued down the hallway. She needed to reevaluate her life. The realization wasn’t a surprise. She just hadn’t admitted it to herself before this minute.

Even though she’d wanted to have the same evaluation talk with Heath, she hadn’t acknowledged it was exactly what she needed to do personally.

She needed more information about Public Exposure, which would mean a late night of research. But her first call was to the house. Her mother picked up Skylar Dawn from day care each day, but she always waited until Kendall got home before serving dinner.

“Mommy!” her daughter answered. She either could recognize the caller ID or knew it wasn’t six o’clock and time for Heath’s call.

“Hey, sweetheart. How did today go?”

“Bumble the rabbit died, Mommy. It’s so sad. I’ll miss her.”

“That is sad, honey. Is your class all right?”

“Yeah, Miss Darinda says it’s part of the circle of life. Like the lion movie.”

“That’s true.”

“I drew a picture. MiMi put it on the frigeator.”

“I’ll be sure to look at it when I get home.”

Skylar Dawn sighed long and very audibly into the receiver. “Working late again? My, my, my.”

Her daughter mimicked frequent sayings of the adults around her. This particular one was used by Naomi in an attempt to make Kendall feel guilty or ashamed. Kendall already felt both, since she’d be missing time at home.

“Yes, sweet pea. I’m working late, but I’ll be home in time to read a chapter from our book.”

“I could get Daddy to read it.”

God, she felt guilty enough without letting Heath know she was working late on a Monday. Tuesdays and Thursdays were normally spent in the office. That was Heath’s night at the house. For some stupid reason, she didn’t want him to know that the late hours were extending to other days of the week.

“I’ll be home in time. Can you get MiMi?”

“Love you, bye-bye.”

Maybe it was superwoman syndrome or imposter syndrome or some other syndrome working mothers had come up with. Whatever it was could be added to the list of things she needed to face and talk about with Heath.

Not Jerry. Not her mother. And not any other friend or coworker.

It was time she admitted she couldn’t do everything.

Right after she proved that Public Exposure wasn’t what they claimed.

* * *

HEATH’S PHONE ALARM SOUNDED. Five minutes until his six o’clock phone call. He swiped open the book, getting it ready to read for Skylar Dawn.

“Barlow residence.”

Naomi. Not the cheerful voice of his daughter.

“Evening, Naomi. May I speak with Skylar Dawn?”

“I’m sorry, Heath. She’s taking her bath. She got exceptionally dirty this afternoon hopping around like a bunny.” Naomi described the playful act with disgust.

“Is Kendall available, or is she in with her?”

“She’s not here tonight.”

“And after Skylar Dawn’s done?”

“Returning your call is not my responsibility, Heath.”

“Gotcha. She’s being punished for getting dirty.” He waited, but Naomi didn’t respond. “At least tell her I called?”

Again there was silence.

If Heath hung up, it would be the only part of the conversation repeated to Kendall. He kept the line open, waiting until his mother-in-law responded. In fact, he put the call on speaker and looked at the book.

He heard splashing and singing in the background. Naomi had returned to the bathroom.

“I can’t stay on the phone any longer. It’s time to wash her hair.” She disconnected.

“I think Naomi Barlow is in contention for the monster-in-law of the year award,” Wade Hamilton stated without looking across the office at Heath.

“Mind your own business. Wait. That’s impossible for you, right?”

“I was commiserating with you, man. I know what that phone call means to you.”

“You’re as bad as an old meddling matchmaker. Admit it. You’re the one who assigned me to Kendall’s task force.” He swiveled in his chair to face Wade.

No one else was in the office. He could speak freely. He had intended not to mention the conflict-of-interest part of his assignment. His anger was actually at his mother-in-law and the phone call. He should shut up. Keep it to himself—his general policy about everything these days.

Too late now.

Wade took a few seconds to smile like a cat skimming a bucket of milk still under the cow. Then he rolled his pen between his palms, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

“I’m not sure if I should slug you or thank you.”

“Hey, I’m just looking out for my own self-interests here,” Wade said, spinning back to his computer screen. “I’m tired of hearing Slate complain about your bad habits.”