Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(79)

"Threatening to cancel his account with us if I didn't let you go—" Winston tried to continue.

"He...he what!" Her mouth fell open. "He can't do that."

She stared hard at Winston until sweat beaded on the shiny top of his head and began to drip down. He squirmed under her intense gaze and dropped his eyes.

"His advertising firm is our biggest client, Ellie," he tried to explain. "And you know our policy. The client is the most important—"

"So, you're just going to fire me because I wouldn't sleep with him?" she blurted out, her face heating with indignation.

"Now, I don't know anything about that," Winston started, lifting a hand to stop her from saying more. "And frankly, I don't want to know. What you do after hours and with whom is none of my business."

"Except that's exactly why you're firing me," Ellie countered, setting her hands on her hips.

"Now, don't look at it that way, Ellie. I—"

"Then how should I look at it, Winston?"

He flushed. "It's perfectly fine that you rejected him. Ted just...well, he said he's not comfortable having a working relationship with you anymore. It has nothing to with...with..." He motioned blindly with his hands.

Ellie lifted her brows and waited for him to say it aloud.

293

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Damn it, Ellie," he blustered in helpless frustration. "My hands are tied here. I don't want to let you go. You're the best assistant I've ever had."

"Then don't let me go," Ellie said. "Tell Barnaby to go to hell and find himself different legal representation."

Winston gaped at her, his mouth dropping in mute shock.

"Give him over to Mercer," she said.

"Come on." He laughed incredulously at the idea of giving his partner Ted's business. "You know I can't do that."

"If I were really that important of an employee to you,"

Ellie countered softly, "you already would have."

And with that, she picked up her purse and turned toward the exit.

"Ellie!" he said in alarm. "Where're you going?"

"Home," she said without turning around. "You fired me, remember?"

"But...but..." He scurried to his feet and hurried after her.

"But I'm giving you two weeks. Ellie!" he nearly screamed after her departing back. "I need you here until I can get a replacement..."

She didn't hear any more of his sniveling bellyaching.

She'd already walked out and shut the door between them.

Nora found her sitting on her back porch, staring across to the yard at Keller and Cassie's empty tree house.

"You heard?" she asked without glancing over as Nora fell with a groan into the chair next to her.

"Winston's already called me five times, begging me to talk you into coming back," Nora said, gazing lazily at the empty tree house as well.

294

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

It wasn't even noon yet, and both their children were in school. Ellie wasn't used to being home on a Monday morning. It felt strange, unnatural. But at Nora's words, she glanced over with interest.

"Permanently?" she asked.

Her friend snorted and sent her a get-real look. "Just for the rest of your two weeks or until he can find a replacement."

Ellie actually laughed. Nora's claim sounded so much like Winston, it was actually funny.

"Why am I not surprised?" She reached up to wipe at her face, hoping to attain some sense of decency. She had stopped crying, but no doubt her face was still red and puffy.

From the sympathetic look Nora sent her, she could only guess how awful she appeared.

"I told him to go screw himself if that makes you feel any better," Nora offered.

Ellie laughed again. "Thanks," she said, only for a fresh wave of tears to grip her. "Oh God, Nora, what am I going to do? I'm barely making the bills as it is. All my credit cards are maxed out, and I have nothing in savings. I can't lose my job."

"Well, I'd say it's time to call in the secret weapon," Nora said, propping her feet up and laying a hand over her brow to wince at the bright sunlight.

"And what would that be?" Ellie said, staring at the woman next to her. By all appearances, Nora looked casual and relaxed, like she was enjoying a day at the beach.

295

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Seems to me that your baby's daddy has plenty of money to spare."

Unable to believe her ears, Ellie felt her mouth pop open.

"You think I should send Cassie to live with Boston?"

Nora dropped her hand and turned to frown at Ellie. "Hell, no. I'm saying, he's been Cassie's father for nearly ten years now and, save for the past month, he hasn't done one thing to help raise her."

"But, that's my fault. I—"

"Doesn't matter," Nora interrupted. "The man owes you years of child support. Think about it, El. Every doctor's appointment, dentist bill, not to mention school supplies, clothes, food. He owes you, and he seems like someone who wouldn't balk too much at paying up. If he's even the slightest bit grateful for the wonderful girl you raised, he'll be more than pleased to reimburse you something."