Hopefully, he was not here to tell her off. First of all, that would be a little creepy, considering Tiny Tumblers was her place of employment. Second of all . . . that would actually be really creepy, since he was at her place of employment. How on earth did he know where she worked anyway?
Chloe felt a jolt of fear. Mary Beth and Asher were always the last kids to get picked up. Sneaking a peek at the glass door that led out to the busy street, she hoped their parents or a nanny would show up soon.
“Look.” Chloe kept her voice steady, so as not to frighten the children. “I’m sorry I called you a name and slammed your office door. But you can’t be here. This isn’t the time or the place—”
Dr. Gable looked at Chloe as though she were nuts. “I’m here to pick up my daughter.” He placed a hand on Mary Beth’s shoulder. “And I’m not pleased that she seems to be so upset.”
Chloe’s jaw dropped. “You’re Mary Beth’s father?” Looking back and forth between the two, she suddenly saw the resemblance. The two shared the same high forehead, curly hair and olive complexion. Not to mention the same air of entitlement and stinky disposition.
“In that case, I’m glad you’re here.” Chloe’s tone was indignant. “Your daughter was bullying this child. She’s upset because I was asking her to apolo—”
At this, Mary Beth let out an ear-piercing scream.
“It’s okay, honey.” Dr. Gable patted her shoulder. “Settle down. Let’s go get some ice cream.”
Even Asher seemed offended by this.
“Uh, I’m sorry,” Chloe said. “But you are a psychologist.”
“So?”
“So, you . . .” She squeezed her hands together, trying to remain calm. “More than anyone else in this city, should know that it is completely inappropriate for a four-year-old to bully another child and receive a reward for her behavior.”
Dr. Gable opened his mouth as though to argue.
Chloe pointed at Asher. “Your daughter attacked this child.”
Asher gave a dramatic sniffle.
“This is the third time this month I’ve seen that type of behavior from her. It’s completely unacceptable and . . . and highly dysfunctional. If it happens again, I will have to ask you to withdraw her from Tiny Tumblers.”
Mary Beth’s eyes went wide. She shoved her thumb in her mouth.
Dr. Gable was outraged. “All over some ice cream? If I want to get my daughter some ice cream, that’s up to me.”
Chloe considered the wrinkles around his eyes. Dr. Gable had to be about ten years older than her but he had no right to act so superior. He obviously had no idea how to raise a child.
“It’s not about the ice cream.” Stepping forward, she lowered her voice so that only he could hear. “But if you want to raise a little serial killer, that’s up to you.”
Dr. Gable turned a bright purple, which clashed horribly with his pink ascot.
Chloe got back down on one knee and regarded Mary Beth. “I really want you to come back and play with us. So, from now on, I am going to trust that you’re going to be a big girl and stop hurting other people, okay?”
Mary Beth considered this. Finally, she nodded.
“Mary Beth.” Dr. Gable’s tone was sharp. “Go get your bag.”
Chloe kept her voice deliberately gentle. “Take Asher with you,” she said. “Hold his hand.”
Chloe watched the two figures stomp across the room toward the colored cubbyholes. Getting to her feet, she regarded Dr. Gable with disdain. The air felt thick between them.
“A little serial killer?” he said, indignant. “I can’t believe you said that. And you plan to have a career working with children?”
“An ice cream?” she shot back. “I can’t believe you said that. And you actually have a career where you give other people advice?”
Dr. Gable studied her for a long moment. Finally, he shook his head. “Look, you’re right. I’m sorry.” He let out a hearty sigh and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “About this and . . . that day in my office.”
Chloe blinked. “Oh.” There was a lengthy pause. “Really?”
Dr. Gable adjusted his ascot. “Yes. We got off on the wrong foot. Initially, I had invited you to my office to discuss a long-term plan for your grant application. But I didn’t expect you to be a day early. And I really didn’t expect you to catch me singing. I was . . . embarrassed. I’m sorry.”