Skye’s throat tightened at the raw emotion in his voice.
“I—I want to do for Connor what Ryan can’t.” He cleared his throat. “I’d like to see him on a regular basis.”
This was crazy. She didn’t know this man, and he wasn’t even related to Connor. Did she really look that gullible? “I’m afraid that’s out of the question.”
* * *
Gage was not giving up. He’d come so close to finding Connor, only to encounter an unexpected obstacle—Skye Tomlinson. She was not only determined, but incredibly attractive. Her pink cheeks, long dark curls and pale blue eyes fringed with dark lashes all conspired against him and threatened to distract him from his critical mission.
Focus.
He couldn’t afford to blow his one chance and based on the way she was glaring at him, he estimated she was about three seconds from getting up and leaving.
“I’m sorry I’ve upset you.” He softened his tone. “Is there anything I can say to change your mind?”
Something unreadable flickered in her gaze and vanished.
“Why are you here? I—I heard what you said about the promise to your friend, but do you really expect me to believe that you came all the way from Florida to find the baby he’d never met?”
The doubt in her voice pricked at him. What was wrong with a man keeping his word? Gage sipped his coffee and weighed his response. To be perfectly honest, he’d do anything to assuage the guilt he carried from watching helplessly while Ryan succumbed to the flames, knowing he could’ve saved him if only he’d followed the correct protocol.
No. Not now. He squeezed his eyes shut and battled back the mental images from that horrific day. Tomorrow was the one-year anniversary of the accident that killed his best friend, and he still had nightmares.
Setting his mug down, he met Skye’s gaze again. “After eight years in the navy, I decided to not reenlist. I’m almost finished with my online certification to become a wind energy technician, and the program’s director told me he places most new graduates with companies in eastern Colorado or Wyoming.”
“Ah.” Skye nodded. “Alta Vista Energy just opened a new wind farm not far from here.”
“I start my on-the-job training with them on Friday.”
“Did you move to Merritt’s Crossing hoping you’d find McKenna? Seems like a huge risk.”
“I moved here because it offers the best chance at starting my second career, and the only time McKenna and I communicated, she mentioned she was trying to move back home. While your cousin sounds unpredictable, she shared a lot on social media up until a couple months ago. All of her recent posts were from this part of Colorado, so I assumed this was home.”
Skye’s gaze narrowed. “When did you talk to McKenna?”
“Just after Ryan’s funeral. She wasn’t there, and I was worried, so I sent her a text.”
“But you’ve never heard from her again?”
“No.” Gage leaned back in his chair. “She’s ignored all my messages. I started looking for her as soon as I moved here, though. My first stop was a diner on the interstate near Limon because McKenna had posted that she worked there.”
Skye scrunched up her nose in a way Gage found incredibly adorable. “Yeah, that job didn’t last long. McKenna’s not meant to be a waitress.”
“That’s what the owner told me. She also mentioned your family’s furniture business here, and that someone might have more info if I stopped by the store. Honestly, I thought it was better to reach out online first. In case you didn’t—”
Skye’s phone buzzed on the table between them, interrupting his explanation. Her gaze toggled between him and the phone.
“Do you want to get that?” he asked.
“It’s just a text. I’ll read it later.”
Six more notifications chimed in quick succession. He felt his mouth twitch but suppressed his smile. “Are you sure?”
“I’d better look. My babysitter is the only one who sends blasts of texts like that.”
He waited while she studied the screen.
“Oh no.” The appealing shade of pink on her cheeks faded to a pale white. “I can’t believe this.”
“Everything okay?”
She set the phone down. “Connor’s babysitter just gave her notice. Her husband is being transferred to Phoenix, and she leaves on Saturday to look for a house there.”
“I thought you said Connor was in day care at a church?”
Her hand trembled as she massaged her brow with well-manicured fingertips. “He is, but just two mornings a week because he’s having issues.”
“What kind of issues?”
“Biting.” Skye heaved a sigh. “It’s happened twice. Once more and they’ll ask him to leave. That’s why I hired a sitter for the other three days, hoping that if he wasn’t around other kids quite so much, he’d get the one-on-one attention he seems to need.”
“What will you do without a regular babysitter?”
“I—I don’t know.” She stared out the window.
A possible solution formed in his head. He hesitated. Given her earlier reaction, how would she respond if he mentioned he had a flexible afternoon schedule since most of his training could be completed in the mornings?
“I’m already on thin ice with the church’s child care director. She thinks I shouldn’t be Connor’s guardian, that he’d be better off in a two-parent home. Anyway, if he bites another child again, I’m worried she’ll use it as an excuse to call social services.”
Not on his watch. Gage’s heart fisted. “No.” He wouldn’t let that happen.
Skye flinched.
The single word came out more forceful than he’d intended. “I—I’m sorry.” He held up both palms in surrender. “Please, don’t let it come to that.”
Skye’s voice lowered to a whisper. “People talk. Look at how you found out about me from someone in Limon. Word will get out that I’m not able to care for him well enough and—”
“Skye.” Gage’s hand shot out and blanketed hers. “Let me help you. Please.”
Her eyes widened, and she stiffened at his touch. Startled by the warmth that zinged up his arm, he scrambled to form a coherent thought. “I have afternoons free. Maybe some mornings, too. I can watch Connor as much or as little as you need.”
The words tumbled out before he could stop them.
She stared at him. An awkward silence filled the space between them, and he suddenly regretted his bold offer. What if he scared her off?
Finally, the rumble of the espresso machine broke through the quiet, and she tugged her hand free. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered.”
She frowned. “Do you have any experience with babies?”
“I can learn.” It was a weak argument. She’d probably say no for sure now. He held his breath. Please say yes. Please say yes.
“I—I don’t know. I can’t afford to risk Connor’s safety with someone who lacks experience.”
His gut cinched tighter and he leaned forward, fighting to