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she’d be like in bed.
    The kids weren’t hers and she didn’t wear a ring. All of a sudden, the question was much more interesting.

Chapter Three
     
    “Oh honey, come on wake up. It’s all right.” Andie brushed the hair off Jamie’s sweaty brow. “Come on, sweetie,” she said cuddling him into a hug. “It’s all right. Andie’s here.”
    “Na Na.”
    She couldn’t tell if he was calling for his nana or yelling ‘no’. But he’d been loud enough to wake the other children, Andie thought as she tried to calm him. Obviously he’d buried his fears very deep. She rubbed his back as she held him close.
    By the time his super hero shirt was warm, he’d relaxed against her and then the tears started. Grief choked out of him, soaking her shirt. Nobody, much less a child should have to go through what he’d suffered in his short life.
    When finally he relaxed, she leaned back. “Okay now?” Jamie nodded.
    “Do you want a drink or need to go to the bathroom?”
    He shook his head.
    “Okay. Are you ready to go back to sleep now?”
    His eyes got huge and his breathing hitched as he dug into her arms, determined to hang on.
    “I’ll stay with you, if you’d like.”
    She looked into his eyes and caught his attention. “Would you like that?”
    He nodded slowly but definitely. That was a good sign. He was responding and he wanted her to stay with him. “That’s cool. I’ll stay right here.”
    Settling him back into bed, she again brushed his hair off his forehead. “You relax and I’ll sit beside you.”
    “Do you want me to get you a book?” He tightly clutched her hand in answer. “That’s okay. Why don’t I keep you company?” When he loosened his hold on her hand, she smiled. “Relax, Jamie. There’s nothing or no one who’s going to hurt you. You’re safe. And I’m going to stay with you and make sure you stay that way.”
    His lips lifted in a small smile as he squirmed into the warmth of his bed. He watched her carefully, but seemed relieved she’d agreed to stay with him. And stay she would – as long as necessary.
    As his rapid breaths settled into soft snores, Andie smiled. He was such a little hero. One of these days, he’d be off running and playing. When that day came, God forbid anyone should find out he’d needed her to sit beside him while he fell asleep. No teenage boy would ever admit he’d spent time hanging onto a woman – not even when it was true.
    Yesterday had been the first time in almost a month he’d stepped away from her on his own.
    “Holy mackerel.” Andie clamped her hand over her mouth and quickly checked to make sure she hadn’t disturbed his rest. He’d actually walked away from her at her neighbor’s. Her heart started pounding with excitement. Jamie had begun to heal – only a little, but it was a beginning.
    Whoa. She put a hand on her chest. She had to stop and think for a minute. He’d let go and moved into the living room alone. She remembered spotting him, then he’d put something on the table and hurried back to her when she called. What had he replaced on the table?
    Darn. Why hadn’t she realized what was happening at the time? Mentally she slapped her forehead. Jamie’s investigating something in a strange house was way more important than Chloe sneaking next door. Even if she had been looking for something to eat.
    What could possibly have been important enough to draw him from her side, especially in a strange house?
    There was no doubt about it, she was going to have to go next door and see for herself. If something in there might help Jamie heal she was going to find it. The sooner he got back on track the better.
    Grayson Mills may not like her, or how she supervised her wards. He may not want to see her again, but he’d best get ready. First thing in the morning, she was going to lean on his doorbell until she got the information she wanted. And then she was going to find a way to make sure Jamie got what he needed as