Keeping Kenzie - Pepper North Page 0,5
phone out of my purse!” Opening the cover decorated with multicolored chameleons, she touched the screen. Nothing. Kenzie tried to turn it on. “Shit! It’s dead.”
“Watch your language, Little girl.”
Her eyes widened as she nodded. Osiris watched her search his face. After a few seconds, she whispered, “Are you a strict Daddy?”
“Yes. No cursing allowed.” When she nodded, he changed the subject. “We have a bank of chargers here. Let’s see which one fits your phone.” He picked up her purse and led her to a table with a bunch of cords branching out in all directions. With a triumphant sound, she connected hers.
“While yours charges, you can use mine,” he said, pulling his out from his pocket. “Is the number in here?”
“Maybe?” Kenzie plopped down on the floor, cross-legged, and rummaged through the purse. With a cry of triumph, she pulled out her wallet and opened it up. “Got it.”
Osiris keyed in the code to open his phone and handed it over to her. She keyed in the number from the card and waited. When a male voice drifted through the phone, she identified herself and related the news of the fire.
Moving a bit away from her to give Kenzie some privacy, Osiris noted that the Little girl’s communication style was efficient and concise. Her professionalism contrasted greatly with the Little girl in chameleon pajamas, who charmed him. The two forms of conduct were jarringly different—not in a bad way, but in a puzzling way.
Efficiently, she finished her call and touched the screen to disconnect. She rose to her feet and rejoined Osiris. “He’s going to investigate and start the claim. Thank goodness I had insurance. It should cover everything. Not that I had a bunch.”
The smoky interior of her apartment flashed into his mind. Osiris had rescued people from houses so packed with possessions that movement was restricted to one path, making it extremely dangerous. While he had found her just inside the door, he had noted a lack of furniture and belongings.
“What do you do, Kenzie?”
“I had an important job as an assistant manager at a big chain department store. Unfortunately, they downsized employees and didn’t need all their managerial staff. So, I was unemployed for a while. Now, I work in a pet store.”
“You’re a manager there?”
“No. Not even an assistant manager. I just clean cages and feed the animals. It’s almost full-time—thirty-nine hours each week.”
Instantly, Osiris’ protective instincts toward this Little girl flared. The pet store owner obviously limited her hours to avoid having to offer her insurance as a full-time employee. He hated anyone who took advantage of others.
“Don’t look mad. I like my job. The animals are so sweet. I love seeing them leave with happy owners. I know how to take care of everything now. Do you have a pet?” she asked, looking hopeful.
“I don’t. Firefighters work strange hours. Twenty-four hours on, followed by forty-eight hours off. When my last dog passed away, I decided it wasn’t fair to an animal to be alone that long.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I don’t have to go to work until tomorrow morning, so I lucked out. It would have been tough to work today. I’ll have to figure out how to get some clothes. Think they’ll let me back in my apartment this afternoon?”
“I’ll call the fire inspector after the party, but I bet not. Worst-case scenario, not until the reconstruction is done. You can hold on to those clothes for a few days,” he suggested.
“That’s what Liz said, too. I just don’t want to impose.” She looked at him meaningfully. “Osiris…”
He interrupted her. “You’re not going to that hotel. It’s not safe. You can lock yourself in your room at my home if you wish.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that. You wouldn’t hurt me,” she said with total confidence.
“Then, it’s settled. You’ll come home with me after the party. Keep this old man from being lonely.”
“I can do that,” she chirped happily. “Thank you, Osiris. I was starting to get spooked about the hotel. Everyone says it’s bad.”
“It’s my pleasure, Little girl.”
Chapter 4
“Wow! Your house is really nice, Osiris,” Kenzie complimented as she walked into his home. It was definitely a man cave with a huge TV dominating the wall and a big leather sectional to lounge on. She smiled at the weights neatly arranged at the side of the room. Those muscles didn’t come from being lazy.
“Thank you, Kenzie. Let’s get you settled into your room,” he suggested, dropping the trash bag of smoky