“Aww,” I said and ducked down to pick her up. “You are the sweetest thing.”
“She is.” Andrew came up.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad to be here, but you,” he took a step back, “you look like you’re going to have a heart attack.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, but I can’t think about that right now. I’m having fun with Haylie.” I gave her a smile, and she winked at me.
“I love you, Uncle.” She wrapped her tiny arm around my neck and rested her cheek on mine.
“She thinks you’re Santa Claus.” Andrew sat down on the couch.
“That’s because I’m nicer than Mommy and better-looking than Daddy.” I sat down on the other side of the couch, and she rested her head on my shoulder. “How is Elizabeth?” I asked.
“Once I started doing little things, like cooking and all, she quieted down. I’m not sure if it’s going to work. You know how stubborn she can be, but I’m not giving up.”
“Good, you love her. You should fight for her.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Really, I thought you’d be overjoyed when you found out.”
“No, I want you to be happy, and I know you feel the same way about me.”
“I do,” he sighed. “You don’t want to go outside?”
“No, her mother’s out there, and she’s a worrier. I don’t need any more worry right now.” My phone vibrated. “Just a second.” I handed Haylie to Andrew and walked back into the other room. “Hello?”
“Sir, there’s a black van out here.”
“What’s their name, Rico?”
I waited while he called over the radio to find out who it was. “Armando, sir.”
“Armando?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need you to find out who is in that van and why they’re here. Then I want you to call me back, and remind me to cut your pay.” I hung up.
Andrew had set Haylie down on the couch, and she was starting to fall aslee
p. He put a finger over his lips, then got up to meet me halfway. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
My phone vibrated again. “One second.” I whipped it out. “Hello?”
“Sir, it’s the dad.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“I asked you to remind me to do something. What was that?”
“Come on. Do I really have to say it?”