Page 84 of The Surrogate Nanny

“And Vance is claiming that Mr. Houston’s death was due to a critical error he made by not following safety protocols, correct?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry in advance, Mrs. Houston, but my next question might sound a little insensitive, but what evidence do you have proving that Mr. Houston wasn’t at fault?”

“It’s a gut feeling.”

“I see,” he mumbled.

“I know what it sounds like, but Vance Oil was too quick to put the blame on Rory. I know there are cameras out there, but they refuse to show me the footage of his death. If Rory was in the wrong, wouldn’t they have gladly offered to show me the footage?”

“It’s questionable. Did they offer you any kind of settlement at all?”

“Twenty-five thousand to make me disappear and stop wasting their time.”

“Did you take it?”

“No. Rory was worth more than that.”

“Good because as soon as you accepted the money, it would’ve been all over. They would be clear of any additional financial responsibility. Are you currently working?”

“No. Kiyah and I had been living off the little savings we’d built up since moving to Texas, but that money ran out pretty quickly. I don’t have a job, but I started looking as soon as I got over my grief well enough to get out of bed and comb my hair. The pickings are slim, and the pay is even slimmer.”

“What about government assistance?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I’d have to get a job first to qualify, but then I’d have to figure out childcare for Kiyah. The waitlists for those programs are ridiculously long.”

“Any family or friends that can help out?”

“No. I’m estranged from my family. I have been since I met Rory. They didn’t approve of him. Rory was the “bad boy” with the motorcycle and bad attitude. They thought he was a bad influence, and he’d lead me down the wrong path, but I didn’t care. We were in love, and he treated me like I was priceless. He completely changed when we found out we were expecting Kiyah. He matured, started making better choices, and took our future seriously. He was always one of those people who took things one day at a time, but his entire perspective changed when Kiyah came along.”

Mr. Baker heaved a sigh. “Children have a way of doing that. Does Mr. Houston have family?”

I shook my head. “He aged out of foster care.”

“Have you considered moving back home?”

I licked my lips and held back my tears. Returning home with my tail tucked between my legs was the last thing I wanted.

“No, I burned that bridge.”

“I understand. I—” He paused when his cell phone vibrated on the coffee table. “I’m sorry, but do you mind if—”

“Go right ahead.”

“Thank you. I’ll be swift.”

I colored with Kiyah until he returned a minute later. Gone was the bright smile; it was replaced with a deep frown I didn’t think he was capable of.

“Is everything okay?” I found myself asking.

He ran a hand through his hair, ruining his perfect coif. “I’m interviewing nannies, and I had a cancellation. You wouldn’t be interested in being a live-in nanny to three kids, would you?” he asked off-handedly. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not, but before I could answer, he said, “I’ll take your case, Mrs. Houston.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I’ll take your case.”

“Why?”