“Ryan’s here to support you, too.” Her friend smiled mysteriously. “So are the majority of the parents who have kids in the day care center.”
“Piper, I appreciate their support, but I doubt it will make a difference,” she said tiredly. She hadn’t slept well since arguing with Josh and didn’t anticipate her insomnia getting better any time soon.
“Come on.” Piper urged her toward the closed ballroom doors. “This won’t take long. I promise.”
Taking Emmie by the hand, Kiley opened the door to the big room, walked inside and looked around. Tables had been set up on the stage the day care had used and the funding committee members were seated behind them, looking at her expectantly.
Most of the parents and their children from the day care center sat in rows of chairs in front of the stage, and she was grateful for their support even though it probably wouldn’t influence the committee’s vote.
“Ms. Roberts, would you please approach the committee?” Josh asked, drawing her attention to him.
She had purposely avoided looking at him when she entered the room. But as she turned her attention his way, her breath caught. Instead of a suit and tie like the other male members on the panel were wearing, he was dressed in boots, jeans and a chambray shirt. She didn’t think he had ever looked as handsome as he did at that moment. But why was he dressed so casually?
Walking up to the front of the room, she was surprised when Josh grinned and stood up. “It would be a conflict of interest for me to preside over this meeting, as well as vote on the future of the day care center. For that reason, I’m excusing myself,” he said, handing the gavel to Beau Hacket. “I do, however, retain my right to report my observations on the center’s operation and give my recommendation of action on the issue.” He walked to the end of the stage, descended the steps and came to stand beside her.
“What’s going on?” she demanded under her breath.
“Just wait,” he whispered close to her ear.
“Can we at least sit down?” she asked. Why did they have to humiliate her by firing her in front of everyone?
“No. Just listen,” he said, smiling at her. Her heart skipped a beat at the warmth she detected in his brilliant blue eyes.
“Up,” Emmie said, patting Josh’s leg.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he picked up their daughter and held her close. “How’s my little princess?” he asked, causing Kiley’s chest to swell with emotion. Even if he couldn’t care for her, there was no doubt how he felt about their daughter. It was easy to see Josh loved their daughter with all his heart.
“It’s been brought to our attention that the funding committee needs to review our calculations for the day care center’s budget,” Beau stated, drawing everyone’s attention back to the panel of men. “We’ve also been asked by Gil Addison to review Ms. Roberts’s contract for the position of day care center operator.”
Here it comes, Kiley thought. This was where they were going to terminate her contract. But why did they have to ruin Christmas for her and Emmie? Why couldn’t they have waited until after the first of the year?
“I make a motion to start the discussion,” Paul Windsor said when Beau gave him a nod.
When one of the other members seconded the motion, Beau looked directly at Josh. “I think you have something to report?”
Josh nodded and, with Emmie perched on his forearm, stepped forward. “After Ms. Roberts addressed the committee at the first of the month requesting additional funds for the day care center, I made periodic visits to see how she was running the operation and to determine if the money was actually needed.”
“And what were your findings?” Beau asked, surprising Kiley with his even tone and pleasant expression. Apparently, his way of “making things right” for what his son had done was to at least appear interested and congenial.
“I’ve observed Ms. Roberts in several different situations at the day care center and I can honestly say I was extremely impressed by her dedication and how well she was able to relate to the kids,” he said, making eye contact with every one of the panel members. “She gives each child individual attention and makes them all feel like everything they show or tell her is of the utmost importance. I’ve also observed her methods of discipline and I was amazed by the kindness and respect she showed.” He chuckled. “The little boy in question happily accepted his ‘time out’ without protest or her having to raise her voice above normal.” He turned to look at her and the expression on his handsome face was breathtaking. “And I doubt anyone could have done a better job of putting on an entertaining and enjoyable children’s Christmas program.”