Page 33 of Hollywood

“Thank you.”

I slumped back into the bed. I had the best boss, which was one less problem to solve. But there were dozens more just waiting to crowd my brain and send me into a tailspin. I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my mind.

Ruby wasn’t the only exhausted one. I fell asleep right there, lying sideways across the bed.

When I woke, I heard quiet voices, a giggle, and a splash.

I sat up, groggy and disoriented. Was it morning? No, it was too light. My internal clock suggested three in the afternoon.But that couldn’t be right. Ruby wouldn’t have slept that long.

I pushed off the bed and walked toward the doorway. Ruby’s bed was empty. More giggles came from the bathroom.

I pushed open the door.

Tex knelt by the tub, hands covered in suds as he washed Ruby’s long red hair.

“You came back,” I said, leaning against the doorframe.

The corners of his mouth twitched up. “I don’t have much going on in Hayworth right now. Figured you could use the help.”

My stomach tightened. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m offering.” He picked up a cup he must have brought from the kitchen. He filled it with water, then tilted Ruby’s face back. “I know how hard this is.”

Water poured over the top and back of Ruby’s head. Tex used his free hand to cover her forehead and shield her eyes. He was good at this. Really good.

“You don’t think I’m up to it,” I said, stomach sinking.

“No, that’s not true.” He finished rinsing her hair, then handed her the cup. Ruby instantly filled it with water and dumped it out, grinning at the splash.

Tex rose to his feet and faced me. “Holls, my sister has three kids. I had a front-row seat to how much work that was for Chastity, even with a husband and nine months to plan for parenthood. You got slammed with this overnight.”

“True.”

“So why not let me stay and help?”

I hesitated. “But the place is so small. You can’t keep sleeping on that couch.” Heat flooded my face. “Unless you just meant for today?”

“Today, tomorrow, next week.” He shrugged. “The guysare working on finding you a bigger place out at the park with them.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. I’d already had the thought I needed a real home for Ruby, but I hadn’t considered where that would be. “They didn’t mention it earlier.”

“They probably figured you had a lot on your mind already. And look, I’m not trying to make your life harder. If you want me gone, I’m gone.”

“No, I—” I didn’t know what to say. Hadn’t I spent the whole drive from the hospital wondering how I’d manage on my own?

“I know I screwed up before,” Tex said. “That won’t happen again.”

I met his gaze uncertainly. Ruby splashed around in the tub, happy as a clam.

“I don’t know what to do about childcare,” I admitted in a rush. “And a new place? I know I need one, but my checks get garnished for restitution. It’s not like before, when I had a high-paying corporate job. But I made so many promises to Carrie, and I want to keep them this time, Tex. I really do. I don’t want to mess up this chance, and I don’t know anything!”

“Whoa.” He took hold of my shoulders. “Breathe, okay? Just breathe.”

I took a gasping breath, my chest too tight. He pulled me closer, into a full hug, and wrapped his arms around me. “I’ve got you, man. I’m here. I’m not leaving.”

I closed my burning eyes. I shouldn’t be reacting this way. Shouldn’t be falling apart. That wasn’t what Ruby needed.

“You left before,” I croaked.