Hide and Seek Read Free

was late and in a hurry when he dropped Sophie off. Maddie thought about little else than him all day. With Rob in mind, she looked forward, even more than usual, to going-home time.
    The first parent to arrive had problems at home that she wanted to share with Maddie. Little Henry was biting. His mother, at her wits end, tried to stop it. Maddie gave her some disciplinary techniques, but the woman was upset and stood there rehashing the situation endlessly. Maddie tried to pay attention, but got distracted when Rob appeared. Sophie was unfortunately ready to go home on time, for once. Maddie saw him glance her way, toss her a small wave, and leave.
    Her heart sank. All she could do was listen to the distraught woman drone on and on about the worst problem anyone had ever faced in life. Twenty minutes and four parents later, Maddie was alone excerpt for her mop and the 'Farmer Says' toy, with an angrily quacking cow. She was determined to talk to Rob tomorrow, even if she had to push little Henry's mother in the sandbox to do it.
    Thursday, Henry's mother was concerned that Henry might be biting at Sunny Days, since he continued to chomp on his brother at home. Maddie assured her, there'd been no signs of it, all the while keeping one eye on the door. When Rob appeared she caught his eye, and he seemed to understand. He waited a short distance from them for a few moments.
    Henry's mother droned on. "Because if he bit anybody here, I would be so mortified! What kind of a parent would people think I am? I'm just so worried that he might start doing it here, too!"
    Maddie tried to reassure her when Rob stepped up and said in a rather stern voice, "Excuse me, Miss Stewart. My daughter has a bite mark on her arm, and I'd like some information about it."
    Henry's mother turned three shades of pale and muttered, "I've got to hurry and get my other son from baseball practice. Thank you, Miss Stewart." She chased after Henry and the two of them were through the door before Maddie could catch her breath.
    She looked at Rob with concern. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see any evidence of biting today. Sophie never cried or said anything."
    Rob smiled. "I made that up. I haven't even seen Sophie. But I did want to see you. I thought that woman would never leave."
    Maddie clutched her heart. "Thank goodness! Talk about being mortified. I'd have wanted to fade away."
    He shrugged. "Stuff happens. Frankly, I'm more concerned for the poor fool who tries to bite my Sophie. She's likely to cuff him on the nose but good."
    Maddie laughed, and froze when Rob ran one finger down her arm from the elbow to her wrist. He looked at her seriously. "Am I crazy, or have I sensed a connection between us this week?"
    She shook her head slowly. "You're not crazy."
    The tension she'd seen on his face faded into a big smile. "Good. Because I'd be sorely disappointed if this was all one sided. I haven't been able to think of much else since I first laid eyes on you. And five minutes at the end of the day… maybe…if we're lucky…just isn't cutting it."
    Two of his fingers wrapped around two of hers, and he squeezed. She smiled and squeezed back. "I feel the same way. Pathetic, actually, that I'm so desperate to catch a glimpse of you."
    His smile widened. "I was feeling a little pathetic, myself. If I didn't get my five minute fix tonight, I don't know what dastardly deed I might have come up with. I might have started biting kids myself, just to get your attention."
    Maddie chuckled, then remembered to check on the children in her care. Everyone was fine, and she returned her attention to Rob. "So…"
    "So…" He swung her hand back and forth. "I have to take Sophie into the city tomorrow night for a weekend with her mother. We're doing a reverse custody thing this summer. I get her for two months, and her mom gets every other weekend."
    Maddie nodded, scarcely able to breathe.
    "I was thinking I could pick you up about seven-thirty. We could get something to eat