Mind Games

He kissed the baby’s cheek, then Thea’s.

“We’re going to miss you, and not just for the help. So far all the talk about baby nurses, au pairs, nannies stays just that. Talk.”

“You’re not ready.”

“Not yet. He’s so … new. But since the show’s been picked up for another season—”

“Of course it has.”

“We’ll have to do more than talk. He sure takes to you. Too bad you’re not in the au pair market.”

“They’d like me to come back for a few days before they launch the game this summer. So if I’ve got a room, you’ve got a babysitter.”

“You’ve got a room regardless, but we’ll take the babysitting.”

Caleb skimmed a hand over her hair, then gave it a tug. “No chance you’ll move here?”

“About as much as there is of you moving back to the Hollow. You love to be there, enjoy it while you are, but.”

“But,” he agreed.

“You’ve got me now, so go on back and get some sleep.”

“If he doesn’t settle back down—”

“Oh, he’ll settle. I’ve got the touch.”

* * *

When she graduated, they all came. She hadn’t expected it. Waylon and Kyra with their three, Caleb and Selma and the chubby-cheeked Dylan. Her grandmother shedding tears as Rem handed her tissues.

On that long last drive away from campus, Lucy went with her.

“It’s a whole new world for you now, darling.”

“Most of me’s ready for it. I need to go to headquarters in a couple of weeks. Three, maybe four days. But I’m so ready to just be home.”

“I’m hoping you’ll take on a passenger north.”

“Really?” The idea had her bouncing in her seat.

“Rem said he’d take care of things at home, and I know he can and will. I’d so like see this headquarters of yours for myself. And have a few more days with my youngest grandbaby.”

“I’d love it! I can’t wait to show you around Milken. It’s such a cool place. The tech’s just crazy, and the people are so smart, so creative.”

“Just like my oldest granddaughter.”

“I’m getting there. I’ve got a favor to ask you, Grammie.”

“Today when I’m bursting with pride’s a good time to ask for a favor.”

“I’d like a few months, maybe a year or so before I really start planning the house. It’s such a big step, and I want to do it right. I’ve got so much going on, I’m afraid I won’t do it right. I’ll be working full-time now, and want to give it my best. With the launch, then working on the new game and whatever projects they might give me. I’m going to upgrade all my equipment, and—”

“You don’t worry about any of that. You’ll stay until you’re ready for your own.”

She stayed, a few months, then a year. And nearly two more while she settled on a design for the house, then through the building of it.

Twice during those years, Howard and Musk traveled down, on their own time, to ask for her help. And she gave it. If Riggs pushed at her, she pushed back.