Read Online Love Inspired May 2015 #2 by Missy Tippens, Jean C. Gordon, Patricia Johns - Free Book Online Page A

potential babysitters on Sunday. And maybe I could help in a pinch,” Violet said before fully considering the offer. What was she thinking?
    â€œWouldn’t that mess with your work schedule?”
    With a push of her foot, she set the swing in motion, embarrassed. Sure, she needed to keep tabs on Abigail. But babysitting? “Well, my afternoons tend to be slow until after parents get off from work.”
    â€œWhat about tomorrow?” he asked, a hopeful smile lifting his brows. “I really need to get to a couple of work sites. Without a baby.”
    She sighed, wishing she hadn’t already looked at the week’s schedule. “Tomorrow afternoon is open so far.”
    â€œI’m working from home today, putting together an estimate and calling suppliers. But I’d love to let the crew know I’ll be there tomorrow.”
    â€œI’ll pencil that in. But please ask Grace first.”
    â€œWill do. It’s nice to have a backup plan, though.” He smiled, and the look of gratitude did funny things to her insides. Made her glad she could put that look on his face.
    She popped off the swing, almost as dramatic as the midair dismounts she’d done as a kid.
What a dork.
Thankfully her mug was empty or she would have splashed the creamy mess all over herself. “Well, gotta go get ready for work.”
    â€œThanks,” he called to her back as she hurried toward home.
    She’d already veered off her morning routine. Would feel behind and rushed for the rest of the day, thanks to a man and a baby.
    A really sweet baby she might be babysitting tomorrow.
    What had she potentially gotten herself into?
    * * *
    â€œAre you serious?”
    â€œI am,” Jake said to Zeb over the phone. Because Zeb was there putting in flooring, Jake had asked him to cover for him—something Jake had never done. Had never even considered. Naturally, Zeb would be surprised.
    â€œUntil I can arrange for child care, I can’t be there as much as I’d like,” Jake said. “I’ll be by when I can.”
    â€œYou know I’m happy to help, but what’s going on?”
    Jake heaved a sigh. “I wasn’t totally up front with you when I said I’m babysitting Remy’s baby. She actually took off and left Abigail here with me.”
    â€œAh, man. That’s tough.”
    â€œI plan to locate Remy and talk her into coming home.”
    â€œI’ve got you covered. Do what you need to do.”
    â€œThanks, Zeb. I owe you.”
    When they hung up, Jake peeked in on a peacefully napping Abigail. He grabbed the baby monitor and sat at the kitchen table to open his laptop.
    With Remy’s papers beside him, he compared her address on the documents. All the same. An Atlanta address. He typed it in a search engine.
    Several entries came up. The top of the search was something called Peace House. He clicked a link to take him to the site.
    A domestic violence shelter? His heart thudded as he sucked in a breath. “Oh, no.” Surely not.
    Quickly searching the site, he discovered the address did match Remy’s paperwork. The phone number matched, too.
    The website said the number was for administrative offices. But previous calls had turned up a recording saying the number was no longer in service.
    Could Remy have made up the address? Or chosen it to throw him off track? He could only hope so. Maybe she wanted to keep her real address private.
    But why? Unless she was hiding.
    A sick feeling of dread settled in his stomach. Could she have lied about Abigail’s father being dead? Was she trying to keep Abigail from an abusive father?
    Lord, I pray Remy is okay. Please protect her, and help her stay clean.
    Jake searched the shelter’s website further and found the director’s name and email contact. He quickly sent a message to Florence Phillips.
    His need to find Remy, to know the truth, had just doubled in urgency.
    He had to know