Free The CEO's Surprise Family by Teresa Carpenter

the reassurance as much as Jazi. “I love you.”
    Mrs. Leslie settled into the corner of the couch and waved Jethro toward the love seat where Lexi sat with Jasmine. “Perhaps you’d like to tell me how you know Ms. Malone.”
    Jethro’s gaze circled the room seeking another seat, but his associate, whom Lexi recognized as Clay Hoffman, dropped into the corner opposite Mrs. Leslie, which left a seat squeezed between the two of them or next to Lexi. He met her stare before sitting. His features were unreadable, leaving Lexi wondering how much he’d reveal to the caseworker.
    When he sat down, the roomy sectional suddenly became a tight fit. She tried to move over to give him space—and her some distance—but he just filled in the area she created. From shoulder to knees they were pressed up against each other.
    Yeah, this was comfortable.
    â€œIt was Ms. Malone who told me of Jasmine. I wasn’t aware of her existence until Ms. Malone brought her to my attention.”
    â€œReally?” Mrs. Leslie sent Lexi a chiding look. “If you had information regarding Jasmine, you should have given the knowledge to Child Protective Services to investigate.”
    â€œYes, well, it was more a hunch than anything else.” Lexi noticed he’d made no mention of giving her custody.
    â€œHmm.” Mrs. Leslie didn’t sound convinced but she chose not to pursue it. She smiled and suggested, “Shall we get this visit on the way. Lexi, would you like to make the introductions?”
    Drawing in a deep breath, she let it out slowly. Rubbing Jazi’s back in soothing strokes, she told her softly, “Jazi, this is Mr. Calder. He wants to say hi. Can you say hello?”
    Jazi had her head turned away from Jethro and for a moment she didn’t move.
    â€œPlease.” Lexi insisted.
    Jazi gave him a quick peak and looked away again.
    â€œSee, he’s a nice man.” Lexi continued to pet her back. To Jethro she mouthed, “Smile!”
    He notched a brow at her but nodded.
    Okay, what did she reveal? She hadn’t planned to be the one explaining this to Jazi. She didn’t want to build Jethro up as Daddy to the rescue because—hopefully—he wasn’t going to be sticking around. But she really didn’t want to advertise their arrangement either.
    â€œMr. Calder knew your mama.” Best to keep it simple.
    The toddler sat up and blinked at Lexi. “Mama?”
    â€œYes.” Just as she hoped Jazi snagged on the mention of her mother. “He and Mama were friends. And he wants to meet you. Can you say hi?”
    She looked at him from the corner of her dark blue eyes. The glance lasted longer than the last one but she still shook her head.
    â€œOkay, we’ll get to know him better first.” Lexi swept Jazi up and turned her sideways in her lap so Jazi faced Jethro. “Lexi likes him.” Lexi laid her head on his shoulder to show her acceptance.
    He smiled. Okay it was a little thin, but he’d made the effort.
    â€œWhat is your favorite color?” she asked him.
    â€œBlue.”
    So he was keeping it simple. Probably for the best. “My favorite color is green and Jazi’s is—”
    â€œPink?” he guessed.
    â€œNope. It’s yellow, like her skirt.” Lexi tugged at the hem of the white-and-yellow skirt.
    â€œYellow,” Jazi confirmed with a nod.
    â€œWhat next?” Lexi mused. “When is your birthday?”
    Something dark flashed through his eyes, but was quickly gone. He cleared his throat. “May.”
    No day given, interesting. “Jazi’s is in November.”
    â€œWhat else do you want to know, Jazi?”
    â€œDoggy?” Jazi whispered to Lexi.
    â€œAh, good question. She wants to know if you have a dog.”
    He shook his head. “No doggy.”
    Jazi’s little brown eyebrows puckered.
    â€œDo you have any animals?” Lexi asked.
    She