Delivering His Gifts (Mountain Men of Liberty #10)- K.C. Crowne Page 0,56

my contact book, flipping through the pages of business cards I’d collected over the years, trying to determine if I knew anyone in real estate. “I don’t know if we have time to call on the others. I need to pick her up in about thirty minutes.”

I thought about the job we were supposed to be working and looked at Eli. It seemed like the moment I told him what was up, he forgot all about it.

“Can Graham and Sam do the job alone?”

“Yeah, they can handle it,” Eli said. “And I think I can help you with your problem. Let me make a phone call.”

Eli whipped out his phone and went into the hallway. I could hear his voice, but not what he was saying. I landed on a business card that might work. An old client of ours owned real estate all over the country. That could work. I dialed his number, hoping he’d remember me.

Before I could finish punching in the numbers, Eli burst in the room. “I got them a place.”

“You did?”

“Yep. Remember that job I took about two months back, the one I did alone because everyone else was too busy?”

I nodded.

“The guy owns several homes in the area, all rentals. He’s got an empty house.”

“You didn’t even ask how many pets they have. She’s got two dogs, including a giant one, some cats, and other small critters too. Think it’ll be a problem?”

“I’ll call back and ask, but I’m sure with enough persuasion, we can figure anything out,” Eli said, rubbing his fingers together to insinuate that money would be the persuasive element. “Worst case, cats and small critters can be left at home and we can check on them as needed.”

“We?” I asked, a smile pulling at my lips.

“Yeah, of course. We’re family, Mason. If you need help, I’ll be there for you.”

“Thanks Eli. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

Eli placed a hand on my shoulder. “No problem, man. I understand. It’s water under the bridge now. Let’s take care of your woman.”

I didn’t correct him and tell him that Danielle wasn’t mine.

Yet.

Danielle

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I headed out to the car to pick Skyler up. I answered it without looking at the number as I slid into the driver’s seat.

“Hey,” I said calmly, expecting Mason. “I’m on my way to pick her up now.”

“Don’t worry about picking her up.” Greg’s voice sent a chill down my spine even though he spoke in a normal tone. “I was in town and stopped by the Ellison's place. She’s with me.”

My heart stopped. “How did you know—”

“Mrs. Ellison called me by mistake,” he said. “Something to do with Charlotte running a fever all of a sudden. But this works out. I was meaning to tell you that I wanted her this weekend anyway.”

“It’s not your weekend with her,” I said through gritted teeth.

“No, it’s not, but it’s my mother’s eightieth birthday, and she’s my daughter too, Dani. My mom likely only has a little time left, and she wanted all her grandkids there. Tony will be there, so will his kids. You know how much Skyler loves to play with them.”

“Tony and Shelly will be there?” I asked, a lump in my throat, nearly making it hard to speak. His brother, Tony, was a good guy. I had to admit I liked him, and his wife Shelly had always been very kind to me, even through the divorce.

“Yep. Angela will be there too. She just had a baby and she’s dying for Skyler to meet her,” he said.

Angela was his sister. Also good people, as far as I could tell, even if we were never that close. She lived in New York and rarely made it to Utah. She loved spoiling Skyler.

Except for Greg - and technically his mom - his family was actually pretty decent. And I trusted them with my daughter.

But something didn’t sit right with me. Even if Greg was acting calmer than usual, I feared the worst. Did he know about our plan to flee the house? I never knew Greg to hold his emotions together when angry, however, so I was inclined to believe him.

Even if I didn’t want my daughter going with him.

Mason did say act natural, and if I fought too hard at this, what then? He already had my daughter with him and getting her back would lead to a fight and likely calling the cops. Greg would probably threaten to take me