Chapter 228: Grand Opening
*Good morning, ladies! I brought fresh donuts and piggies. – Chance*
Ever the flirt, and sometimes all-around good guy, Chance showed up early with donuts and pigs in a blanket. Most of the women, married and single, flirted with him. It was friendly and fun. There was nothing expected.
Except for the girl with the gray patch in her black hair.
She continued to glare and give him the patented Three Step Look. He was quite sure that she would have no problems with him dying another time or two while he was in hell.
It was a good thing that he was a Devil’s Saint. They were already friends with devil himself. Chance snickered at the thought as the woman in question gave him another go to hell look.
“Leave her alone.” Karan warned softly as they stood just outside her office in the communal area.
“I’m not doing anything.” He objected as the nine teachers kept tight reins on the controlled chaos.
Approximately a hundred and fifty kids played in the large area. Another fifty or so were in the cafeteria eating breakfast. Another couple dozen babies were in each of the infant rooms.
The door buzzed alerting them that someone was coming in. They went through the door into the reception area.
“Didn’t your mommy tell you not to draw on yourself?” the little girl asked Chance.
“She did.” Chance knelt in front of her with a grin. “Which is why I let someone else draw on me now.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Well,” he pointed to the raccoon couple with little hearts floating around them. “My dad’s nickname was Coon. And I got that on his birthday. This one, is for my brothers and sister.” He lifted his sleeve and pointed at the little girl holding a teddy bear being protected by Teddy Roosevelt with his big stick, a bear and a Werewolf. “It’s how I keep those that are important close to me.”
“Don’t you get to see them all the time?” She asked.
“I do now. But several years ago, I was lucky to see them maybe once a year.”
“My daddy drives a truck. I don’t see him very often.” She mumbled.
“I tell you what, Elizabeth, my name is Chance.”
“Mr. Chance.” Karan corrected.
He rolled his eyes dramatically. “All these years, I thought that I knew my name.” the little girl giggled. “My name is *Mister* Chance and that’s my office. You can come see me anytime that you want.”
Her deep chocolate eyes lit up and she threw her arms around his neck. He returned the hug and remembered the advice his mother had given him. ‘When a child hugs you, you hug them for as long as they need. You let go when they let go.’
Elizabeth kissed his cheek before letting go of him. When she stepped back her light olive skin and chocolate eyes were glowing. Chance returned the giant smile that he got from the floor.
“Mr. Chance, do you want to take her to Miss Rye?” Amusement danced in Karan’s eyes and laced her voice. “Elizabeth will be in her class. And her brother Alex will be in nursery two.” She smiled at him and then the mom. “I’ll take you there and then to meet Miss Rye.”
“Absolutely.” He gave Karan a look before smiling warmly and offered the little girl his hand. As they passed by, he leaned into Karan’s ear to whisper. “Her name is written on the backpack strap.”
Karan nodded knowing that she would need to discuss safety with the mom. It was something that all parents did without thinking. Put the name on the backpack so it went home with the right kid. Also made it easier for kidnappers.
Inside is what the Wolf Pack Security Company always told parents. Inside, first initial only, last name with parent’s name and phone number. His brother owned the security company that did so much more than just security. Occasionally, Chance worked for him on some jobs. And Karan had insisted that all the daycare employees do their child safety course.
Chance led the little girl into the common room that was now empty and quiet. Elizabeth chattered on about how she picked out the dress she had gotten at Christmas. He oohed and awed at the right times letting her know that he was listening.
They slowly made their way up the stairs. Not because the steps were too high for her little legs. Although they were almost too tall. But because he was a sucker for little kids.
Over the years, he had attended a lot of tea parties with his nieces, cousins, and their stuffed animals. And still had a lot more parties in his future.
Not to mention the old west shoot outs, skateboarding and crawling through the mud with the boys.
They arrived at the door for her class. Still holding her hand, Chance knocked on the door before opening the lower half that was closed. Rye turned and although she smiled sweetly, her eyes still told him where to go. And what to do when he got there.
“Miss Rye, I have a straggler for you.”
“You are either Elizabeth,” Rye said kneeling in front of the girl, she was all smiles, sunshine, and roses, “or Bryce.”
Elizabeth giggled and Rye smiled even brighter. Chance was surprised that a rainbow farting unicorn was not following the woman around.
“Elizabeth.” She said brightly.
“I’ll go put your backpack up,” she held out her hand and quickly received the bright pink bag, “and why don’t you go sit next to Gavin.”
A little boy who was a smaller and younger version of his uncle Cookie, waved excitedly from one of the tables. Elizabeth tugged on Chance’s hand, and he knelt to her level. She hugged his neck and kissed his cheek.
“Love you, Mr. Chance.”
He squeezed her back and pressed a kiss to her hair. “You too, little princess.”
As he stood up, he looked over at the black-haired beauty. He liked women, and he appreciated the beauty that they each had. This one, with her odd colored eyes and silver streak of hair, had an unusual beauty all her own. Even with the daggers that her eyes were shooting him as she smiled brightly and redirected her class.
Chance went back to his office and his coffee. He desperately needed something stronger in his cup if he was going to be surrounded by women that he could not touch.
As he entered information into the program for state funding, Karan sat in his leather chair with the box of remaining piggies. “Did I tell you thanks for these?”
“No but give me one and I’ll forgive you.” He replied holding his hand out.
“Only two did not show up. Brothers; Bryce and Kevin Shaffer.” She said handing over one of the last from the box.
“That’s pretty good. I have a girlfriend.”
“Oh? Do tell.” She covered her mouth as she spoke with a full mouth.
“Her name is Elizabeth and she’s four years old.”
“I don’t think it will last.”
“She said that she loves me.”
“Bring me food and I’ll tell you that I love you too.” She laughed standing up to go to her office.
“I brought you food!” he reminded her as she left the office with the box of food in her hand.
“Doesn’t count if you bring it for everyone.”
Chance laughed at her and returned to his computer. A moment later, his speaker came to life behind him with Pantera singing about cowboys from where Rye would like him to go.
