Page 24 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

He picked her up and carried her out of the kitchen. I automatically moved to tidy her plate and wipe down the island.

“Hey,” Locke said, catching my attention. “I know Alistair isn’t the most welcoming person, for obvious reasons, but he’s not a bad guy. And none of the stuff in the tabloids is true.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course it’s not true. They’re tabloids. They’re full of garbage. Those journalists aren’t experts in the law.” I had three years of paralegal experience and grew up with law professor parents who talked about law nonstop. I knew enough that the tabloids got it wrong. The case against Alistair was completely misplaced, and it would have been a real miscarriage of justice if he’d been found guilty. And I definitely didn’t think he’d bought off the jury or used some back channels to avoid accountability the way the papers had implied.

“I wish more people had your perspective,” Locke said, frowning. “Maybe he wouldn’t have been chased out of his company then or out of London.”

I had a vision of Alistair bundling Kenna up and fleeing in the night. I was sure it wasn’t as dramatic as that, but it was probably a lot of upheaval for both of them.

“Do you think that’s why he’s struggling to find a nanny for Kenna?” I asked Locke. If he’d asked me, the strange woman who crawled through his dog door, then he was clearly desperate.

Locke shrugged. “Some people don’t like the remote location. But yes, I’m sure there were some who weren’t interested in the job once they found out who he was. People believe too much of what they read. It’s honestly ridiculous. The tabloids have twisted everything into this massive drama, and people hate him for…what? For falling in love and trusting the wrong woman? All he tried to do was take care of the mother of his child.”

I hadn’t considered that. This woman was Kenna’s mother. And not only had she destroyed Alistair’s life, she’d also abandoned her daughter.

“I don’t know why those are things to condemn someone for,” Locke continued, a growl in his voice. “It’s like people don’t expect him to be human, to make mistakes just like the rest of us.” His words hit me harder than I’d expected. My whole life, I’d felt judged by my parents for being human, for being who I was rather than who they wanted me to be.

When I’d set off for Scotland, I’d told myself I would let the universe push me in the right direction. I couldn’t be sure if it was the universe telling me to stay now, and I knew agreeing to nanny for Lord Crankypants was ridiculous. My parents would probably have a conniption fit when they found out. But this wasn’t about my parents. This was about me. Was this what I needed—or was it another roadblock holding me back?

“But if you’re uncomfortable about staying here, I can see about finding you somewhere else to stay in town. Someone’s bound to have a free guest room they could let you use until a room opens up at the inn.”

8

ALISTAIR

Ididn’t think it was my nature to be an eavesdropper, but something about Madison seemed to bring it out in me, because here I was again, standing in the hallway outside the kitchen, waiting to hear Madison’s answer.

My heart thudded at the base of my throat for some inexplicable reason. What did I care about what she chose? Did I need a nanny? Yes. Was Madison interested in being my nanny? All signs pointed to no. Including the fact that she’d literally told me no.

And yet I was holding my breath, basking in the anticipation of Madison’s next word. Why wasn’t she saying anything, damn it? I resisted the urge to peek around the corner. To take in her expression and try to dissect what those fluttering eyelashes meant.

“Daddy?” Kenna said suddenly, sounding louder than she’d ever been in her life. “Why are we standing here? I want to finish my food.”

I gave her a flat look as she grinned up at me. Really, oh darling daughter of mine?

I might as well have handed her a megaphone.

She squirmed in my arms, and I fought the flash of embarrassment that itched at the back of my neck as I surged through the doorway with Kenna in my arms.

“Cranberry crisis averted?” Locke asked.

“Good as new,” I said, plopping Kenna down on her stool.

I glanced over to find Madison giving me a look. The fact that I was already getting to know her looks should probably have concerned me. This one screamed, You were listening to my private conversations again!

I lifted my shoulder. Was it my fault she was constantly having private conversations in places where it was so very easy for me to listen in? Her words from last night came to mind: He’s simultaneously the grumpiest and the hottest man I’ve ever met in my life.

I swallowed hard, trying not to let my gaze run down her body. That didn’t matter, because this wasn’t about attraction. I wanted to know what the woman was going to say in answer to Locke’s offer.

I wanted to know if she was staying!

But she didn’t respond to that.

She simply tore her eyes away from mine, cheeks pinking. “This ham is amazing,” she said to Locke, changing the subject.

I ground my teeth in frustration, replacing the food on Kenna’s plate, moving the cranberries out of the way as she dove for the container.

“I’ll pass your compliments on to Agnes,” Locke said. “But if you think that’s good, wait until you try dessert. Christmas pudding with brandy butter. You’ll never be the same.”