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Unfortunately, in more ways than one.
But I’m determined not to discriminate against her because she’s beautiful.
When my friend Henley Ward from the Colorado Mustangs told me Weston’s younger sister was looking for a job and she had already sent in her résumé, it helped even more. Henley is a single dad, newer to the single thing than I am, but nonetheless, he gets it—this need to cover all the bases perfectly when it comes to our kids.
I’m just curious about why she didn’t tell me the truth. I wouldn’t be the judge I am if I didn’t look into any hidden motives, and that only magnifies when my son Owen is involved.
“Didn’t tell you the truth?” she asks, eyes wide.
It’s a little distracting, how blue her eyes are.
“Yes. You want to tell me why you failed to mention you graduated pre-law at the top of your class and could have your pick of any law school in the country?”
Her cheeks turn ruddy, and she sweeps her long blonde hair back before carefully setting her plate on the ottoman.
“I didn’t think it was important,” she says.
“Why not? As a judge, how would it look if I hired someone planning to become a lawyer?”
“That’s just it…I’m not.” Her hands clasp in front of her and she straightens before taking a deep breath. “However, technically, as long as I never appeared in front of you on a case, it wouldn’t have mattered.”
My eyebrows lift. She has a point. Still, it’d give the appearance of impropriety that I’ve worked so hard to avoid to have a soon-to-be-lawyer nannying my son.
“I didn’t mention it because I’m not going to law school in the fall,” she says. “I graduated a semester early and I-I don’t knowwhat I’m going to do for sure yet, but I know that Idon’twant to become a lawyer.”
Well, that is not what I expected to hear.
She tries to make eye contact, but her eyes flutter down to her lap.
“Why not?” I ask.
“I’m not cut out for it,” she says softly.
“Your grades and everything I found on you says otherwise.”
“You did your homework.”
I smirk and her flush deepens. “Always. And especially when we’re talking about someone watching my son. So…what are you considering? And would it involve you leaving in the fall?”
“I’m not sure yet. Something that feels like I’m helping people...” Her eyes meet mine and I feel a flicker of pride when they stay fixed on me. She swallows hard. “During our first interview, you mentioned you need someone to take Owen to school and pick him up…someone to be there for after-school events, and that there’s a room over the garage…did that mean you only need someone here until the school year is over?”
“I was hoping to have someone more long-term than that, but we could try it for that long and reassess then.”
Her face brightens. “Does that mean I’m hired?”
“More than it did a few minutes ago,” I admit. “It’s important you’re honest with me,” I say.
She nods.
“Is it true that you’ve done a lot of volunteer work for local children’s charities, both when you were in high school in Silver Hills and during your time at Georgetown?”
“Yes. Everything on my résumé is true. I just left out that I’d been accepted into law school because I didn’t feel it was relevant.”
I stare at her long enough that she squirms. I don’t mean to make her uncomfortable, but I need to know she’s being upfront with me.
“One more question…” I start.
She swallows again and I watch her slender throat dip. She’s wearing a delicate silver necklace with a tiny circle pendant that sparkles when the light hits it just right.
