Chapter Two
Eliza spent the rest of the night watching her child carefully and trying to come to grips with the fact that her child was obviously a shifter, although she didn’t have the first clue what kind. Since she had no knowledge of her own family history, she couldn’t swear Audrey hadn’t gotten the gene from her, but her money was on her ex, Luke. That charming bastard had waltzed in and out of her life like a summer storm. Audrey was the only thing he’d left behind, although Eliza hadn’t even realized she was pregnant until weeks after Luke had hightailed it out of town. If he was a shifter, he’d hidden it well. She’d never suspected anything out of the ordinary.
Unfortunately, contacting him was impossible. The cell phone number she’d had for him was disconnected not long after he split and she had no idea where he’d gone or where to begin her search. He wasn’t exactly a social media kind of guy. She’d already been through the same options when she’d discovered she was pregnant. Her options didn’t look any better now than they did then. The only difference was the learning curve. Being a new mom was hard, easily the most difficult thing she’d ever done. Being a new mom to a child who wasn’t even the same species as her was a whole new ballgame. She had a lot to learn and very little time in which to do so. Considering she didn’t even know which species to research, she was already well behind the curve.
To make matters worse, after she’d put Audrey down for the night, she started looking into daycares in the area, only to find out none of them accepted shifter children. If there was somewhere shifter-friendly in town for kids, she couldn’t find it online. She had half a dozen phone numbers to call in the morning in response to babysitter ads she’d found online, but she didn’t feel good about them. The thought of leaving her child with a complete stranger in a home environment didn’t seem safe after what happened with Helen. She needed a company or person she could trust to take care of her child while she was at work. Preferably somewhere that wouldn’t charge her an arm and a leg since she wasn’t exactly rolling in money by working at the grocery store.
She closed her laptop and set it aside. Her head ached and her eyes felt like they were going to pop right out of her head. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples in slow, firm circles with her fingertips.
Every time she felt like she was getting the hang of things, life threw a fast ball at her head. Why couldn’t anything ever be simple?
* * * * *
Upon waking the next morning, she called into work and requested the rest of the week off. Her boss wasn’t happy about it, but there wasn’t much he could do other than fire her. Since she’d been working there since high school, he tended to give her a little extra leeway. Even so, she’d need to be on her best behavior for a while after she returned to work. Seniority only went so far. Finding reliable childcare was of paramount importance.
Audrey woke up cranky and hungry. Eliza snuggled her close at the kitchen table and fed her a bottle while she called prospective caregivers. One by one, they all turned her down. After being rejected by the last sitter on the list, she drew a strike through the final number, balled up the paper, and threw it at the wall. Of course, throwing things wasn’t quite as satisfying when she had to rise and pick up her mess afterward.
She laid Audrey down on her jungle play mat on the living room floor and let her kick and bat at the small wild animals hanging from the arch above her head, while she ran into the bedroom she shared with her daughter and got dressed. If calling people wouldn’t work, she’d just go out and try to drum up some answers. Surely someone would be able to point her in the right direction. The best place she could think of was child services. If anyone was knowledgeable about the best options for child care for children like Audrey, then it would be the Department of Children and Families.
Two hours later, after patiently waiting her turn to speak to a representative, she heard her name called and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Waiting wasn’t fun for anyone, but it was even worse when you had an infant.
After making sure Audrey was secure in the carrier holding her against Eliza’s chest, she stood and headed to the counter. She smiled at the woman on the other side and blew out a pent up breath. “Hello. I’d like to speak with someone about arranging child care for my infant.” She bounced the carrier, just in case there was any question about who she was referring to. “If you or someone else in this office can point me toward good, affordable care for children who are a little different, then I would appreciate it.”
“I’m sure we can recommend someone, ma’am. If you have a special needs child…”
“Oh no,” Eliza interrupted. “Audrey is perfectly healthy. She’s just not entirely human.”
The woman frowned. “Pardon?”
“Audrey’s father was a shifter.”
“Oh.” Her wide forehead wrinkled and her thick black eyebrows shot up. “In that case, there’s really nothing we can do to help you. We are strictly a human-oriented organization here at DCFS. I wouldn’t begin to know where to refer you for that sort of service.”
A red fog settled over Eliza. “You act like we’re talking about disarming a bomb or something. How is caring for my daughter any damn different than caring for any other child? She’s six months old for fuck sake. It isn’t like she’s going to morph into a monster and murder whoever’s feeding her a bottle.”
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises.”
“Really?” Eliza exhaled and fought to reign in her temper. “You’re just going to turn me away? How the hell am I supposed to work if I can’t find anyone to watch my daughter?”
The DCFS worker didn’t so much as blink. “As I said, there’s really nothing we can do here to help you.”
Eliza bit down on the inside her jaw as she turned away. Angry tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision. She didn’t know what she was going to do. Without childcare, she couldn’t work. If she couldn’t work, then she couldn’t pay the bills.
Audrey started to fuss, most likely picking up on her mother’s distress, and Eliza shushed her and rubbed her back through the carrier. She hiked her purse straps up on her shoulder, straightened her back, and strode toward the door with her head held high. She damn sure wasn’t going to hang around and beg for help from a bunch of hoity-toity shifterphobic assholes. There was nothing wrong with her daughter. Audrey was just as perfect now as she was before she’d developed the ability to flash her eyes. If other people had a problem with her heritage then they could take a long walk off a short pier.
She made it through the double doors and out into the sunshine long enough to start looking around for her car, when a short, pleasantly plump woman followed her out and called after her.
“Hey!” the woman called. “Hey you!”
Eliza steeled her spine, expecting to be disrespected for her choices. “Can I help you?”
“No.” The older woman smiled and shook her head and smiled. “But I might be able to help you.”
“How’s that?”
“You were asking about childcare for your little one in there, right? She’s a shifter?”
“Maybe,” Eliza answered warily, wondering where the woman was going with the conversation.
“Shifters take care of their own. You won’t find anyone in the city to watch her. What you need to do is drive into the next county over and visit Haven Hollow Community Center. There are people there who’ll help you.”
“Haven Hollow Community Center?” Eliza repeated.
“Mm hmm.” The woman nodded. “That’s the place. You go on now and find someone good to take of that precious baby.” She turned and started to walk away.
“Thank you,” Eliza called after her, surprised by the tip, and grateful to the stranger. “Well…” She gazed down at Audrey. “It looks like our luck is finally turning around.” She didn’t know where the community center was located in Haven Hollow, but the town itself was a good forty-five minute drive away. “I hope you’re ready for a nap because we have some driving to do.”
Nearly an hour later, she walked into Haven Hollow’s community center with her hopes up and her expectations low. After a lifetime of disappointments, she’d found it better for her sanity to wish for the best, but prepare for the worst. This place could be the answer to her prayers or another dead-end. There was only one way to find out.
She strode up to the white circular service desk and cleared her throat.
The young blond woman sitting behind the counter looked up from the computer screen, spotted Eliza, and rose to her feet. “Hi there. Can I help you?”
“I hope so.” Eliza shifted Audrey’s weight against her chest. “I was referred here by someone who claimed you guys could help me find reliable childcare for my daughter, who very recently started displaying signs of being a shifter.”
“Of course. We actually have one of the best private facilities for the care of juvenile shifters in the state right here in the building, which you’re welcome to tour if you’d like. However, if you’re looking for something different, you can check the community board in the hallway. A lot of stay-at-home moms in the area offer childcare services for both human and shifter children.”
Eliza exhaled, her anxiety escaping with the air. “That’s wonderful. I’d love a tour of the facilities, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“Not all.” The young woman smiled, her features brightening. “Let me call one of our volunteers to help you. They’ll show you around and introduce you to the right people who can answer your questions.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” Eliza waited until the woman picked up her phone to contact someone before she turned her back to the desk and looked around. From the outside, the large brick building had appeared old and worn down. Inside, the facility was bright, airy, and huge. The windows in the foyer and customer service area were large and let in plenty of sunlight. The room was painted a bright white and the floor was covered in matte cream tile. A glance down the hallway revealed a collection of what looked like children’s art projects, various informational posters, and a huge pegboard covered in colorful flyers.
As she looked on, a man came out a door on the other end of the hall and swaggered toward her with long, smooth strides. He was tall, well over six feet, and had a broad chest that tapered down to narrow hips, and long muscular legs. The plain black T-shirt and tight blue jeans he wore did nothing to disguise the powerful, muscular frame beneath the clothes.
Her gaze traveled up to his face and she was struck by the sudden urge to stand up straighter and smooth back her hair. While the stranger wasn’t classically handsome, she found everything about him sexy. He had a wide, square jaw covered in stubble, full pink lips, a roman nose with a hump along the bridge as if it had been broken a time or two, and dark wide-set eyes that hid more than they revealed. Thick, midnight black hair topped his head and curled around his ears.
Unlike her naiveté with her ex-boyfriend, she had no doubt this man was a shifter. Everything about him screamed predator.
As he drew near, her palms began to sweat and her pulse sped. Audrey started to fuss, sensing her nervousness. She’d been attracted to a lot of men over the course of her life, but she’d never responded to anyone quite so strongly. She didn’t know whether to run or stay put and flirt.
Her decision became moot as the man breezed past her and went right to the customer service desk. “Hey Joanna. Mama’s busy with the little ones so she sent me up to help.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” the customer service lady—Joanna apparently—said. “That lady right there needs someone to give her a tour of the daycare and a run down about how things work.”
Eliza played with Audrey’s fingers and pretended not to eavesdrop. It looked like Mr. Tall Dark and Scary was the volunteer who’d be walking her through the facilities. Although, now that she thought about it, being considerate enough to donate his free time to the community center made him a little less scary and a lot more approachable. Only a nice guy would spend his time off helping other people, right?
“No problem,” he answered. He then turned to face Eliza. “Ma’am? I’m Carter, one of the volunteers here, and if you’ll just come with me, I’ll show you around and answer any questions you might have.” He smiled, transforming his face from surly to stunning.
Her thought process stuttered. “Grrreat,” Eliza replied, doing an unintentional impression of Tony the Tiger. “Oh, um… I’m Eliza and this little monkey on my chest is Audrey.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Eliza and Audrey.” His gaze connected with hers and chemistry crackled between them.
Eliza swallowed the excess saliva in her mouth. “You too.”
“Well,” he said. “If you two lovely ladies will follow me, I’ll show you the daycare.”
“Lead the way.”
He started down the hall and she trailed along behind him, looking around as they went. If her gaze strayed down to his backside a time or two, well…no one knew but her. Frankly, the way he filled out those jeans should be illegal. She’d never seen a more perfect bottom on a—
She ran into him, so intent on his butt that she hadn’t noticed him slowing down until it was too late to stop. “Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry.” Audrey started to fuss and Eliza shushed her. “Shh. Everything’s just fine. Mama’s a big ole klutz.”
Carter turned to her. “Don’t worry about it. Happens to the best of us.” He leaned in and peeked down at Audrey. “Hey there, little lady. A pretty little thing like you shouldn’t be so cranky.” His eyes flashed as black at midnight and Audrey immediately quieted down.
“Wow.” Eliza stared at him in awe. “I sure could use that ability on a daily basis. Can I take you home with me?” The minute the words escaped her mouth, she realized what she’d said and heat exploded up her neck and across her face. “I um… I just meant…”
“It’s all right.” Carter’s grin was wicked. “I know what you meant.”
“Good. That’s good.” Flustered didn’t begin to describe how he made her feel.
“You okay? If the baby’s getting heavy, I’d be happy to carry her for you. Believe it or not, I’m actually pretty good with kids.”
“I’m sure you are, if you’re volunteering here.”
“Oh. I don’t work with the kids much. The staff is top notch and I wouldn’t qualify even if I wanted to. I just fill in here and there, and do all the odd jobs no one else is able to do.”
Eliza nodded. “Gotcha.”
“Speaking of the daycare, it’s right here.” He nodded toward a door to the right. Haven Hollow Childcare was stenciled on the door in alternating primary colors. He turned the knob and swung the door inward. “After you.”
“Thanks.” Eliza walked in ahead of him and gazed around in wonder at the bright, open space filled with everything a child might want to occupy their free time. The floor was tiled, like the rest of the building, but covered in numerous colorful rugs and mats around each different play station. There were rows upon rows of cubbies lining the left wall, each one filled with different books and toys. Directly ahead, beneath a large window, there were bookcases built into the wall up to waist height, each one stacked full of slim children’s books. A padded rocking chair sat in the middle of a large circular rug, where she could easily imagine children sitting during story time. A glance to her left revealed an unmanned desk.
Carter followed her gaze. “Someone usually mans the desk during business hours, but she’s filling in for a sick aide in the infant room this afternoon.”
“Understandable.” Eliza nodded. “Can I see the infant room?”
“Of course. Right this way.”
She followed him down the short hall, passing the closed doors for the preschooler room and the toddler room, each with the name of the room etched across the glass in a colorful building block design. At the end of the hall, there was an open threshold leading into what appeared to be a small kitchen on the left and another classroom on the right. This one had two teddy bears holding a blue and pink banner which read Infant Room across the front.
Carter knocked lightly and then turned the knob and pushed open the door without waiting for a reply. He held the door open for her and Audrey to pass through and then closed it quietly behind them.
Eliza gazed around, taking in everything. Unlike the main room, this one was painted a soothing mint green. Five white cribs lined one wall. At the end of each sat a bouncy seat. Three high chairs and two baby swings were stationed on the opposite side.
A curvy brunette in her late twenties or early thirties sat feeding pureed food to two chubby-cheeked babies. An older woman with graying black hair sat in one of the two rocking chairs at the back of the room.
“Ladies,” Carter said. “This is Eliza and her daughter, Audrey.” He shot a smile at Eliza. “Eliza, the woman feeding the cubs is Abby Sheffield, our lead caregiver for the infants. The one rocking little Mason to sleep is Trish Slade. She volunteers here during the week and fills in wherever she’s needed.”
“Hello,” Abby said with a nod and smile.
Trish nodded and held up a finger. She rose up out of the chair, carried the baby over to one of the cribs, and laid him down to rest. Once finished, she approached Eliza and held out her hand. “Hi Eliza. Welcome.”
Eliza took the woman’s hand within her own and gave it a firm shake. “Thank you. You have a beautiful facility.”
“We like it.” Trish looked around fondly. “I’m sorry I wasn’t up front to greet you when you arrived but there’s a nasty flu bug going around and it’s taken out a couple of our staff today.”
“That’s all right. Carter was nice enough to bring me back and show me around.”
“Carter’s good about pitching in and helping.” Trish beamed up at him. “I guess I raised him right.”
Eliza glanced from Trish to Carter and back again. Now that it had been mentioned, she could see a little resemblance between the two of them. Carter had her dark eyes and her coloring.
“On that note,” Carter said. “I will leave you here in Mama’s capable hands and get back to what I was working on. It was really nice to meet you, Eliza.”
“You too,” Eliza answered. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Eliza turned to watch him go, disappointed by his departure.
Trish cleared her throat.
Eliza startled and returned her attention to Trish, mortified at having been caught staring at the woman’s son.
“So,” Trish said. “Are you new to the area?”
“No, not exactly. We live in the city, about forty-five minutes from here, but finding childcare there for Audrey once she presented was discouraging, to say the least. A woman I ran into at child services recommended you guys to me.”
“Well, we’re glad to have you here, regardless of the reason. Are you looking for full time or part time care for Audrey?”
“Full time, while I work.”
Trish nodded. “Okay. We can do that. The number of babies we can care for here is limited, but we do have one full time slot open. How old is little Audrey?”
“Six months.”
“Perfect. And she just recently presented?”
Eliza nodded. “She flashed her eyes at her former sitter. I’m afraid the woman didn’t react well, which is why I’m seeking new arrangements.”
“I see.” Trish’s expression hardened. “Some people have a hard time accepting anyone who’s different.”
“So we’ve learned firsthand.” Eliza caressed Audrey’s back.
“All right. Well, let’s walk up front. I’ll grab some paperwork for you to fill out, and we can discuss Audrey’s care a little more.”
Eliza exhaled, so beyond glad she’d found someone who seemed genuinely interested in caring for her little girl. “That sounds great.”