Page 61 of Where Roads Lead

“Yeah!” Max cheered with a big, toothy smile.

The nanny stared at me, assessing me for any duplicity. Finding none, a look of relief washed over her features.

“That would be—”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ava said, stepping over to join our table. “You don’t even know him.”

“Do you?” I asked, curious.

“Yes,” she said, annoyed by the mere question. “I’m from here.”

“Ava,” Will said in a warning tone.

“Besides, Elsie’s here on vacation,” she continued.

“Not really.” I laughed.

“And I have nothing going on tonight, so I can watch him.”

“You’ll watch him?” Will narrowed his eyes on her. “You hate kids.”

“I do not.” Ava’s cheeks reddened. “Besides, I know his mom. I’d be more than happy to give her a call and work out the details.”

“But I want Elsie.” Max pouted.

“Shush, Max,” she said, still staring at us with practical heart eyes. “Either of you. Both of you. It doesn’t matter. You’re angels.”

“Great. I’ll call Tessa and let her know. How does six o’clock sound?” Ava asked, ignoring the doubtful look Will was sending in her direction.

“Like heaven.” The nanny threw her hands up.

“Great. I’ll see you tonight. Bye, Max!” She waved cheerfully.

“Bye,” he said to her with a look of suspicion before turning to me. “Bye, Elsie.”

And then they were gone.

“Are you serious about this, Ava?” Will turned toward his sister-in-law.

“Of course,” she said. “Why, do you think I’m incapable of the simple task of babysitting a child?”

“A little.”

“It’s not a newborn, Will.”

He held his hands up in defeat.

“Not my circus, not my monkeys,” Will muttered before turning on his heel and heading back behind the counter.

“After all,” she looked me dead in the eyes, “isn’t it better to have someone familiar watching him than a stranger who just showed up in town?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she had already turned on her heel, blonde ponytail slashing through the air like a whip.

Ouch.

I blinked, not entirely sure what I’d done in the short amount of time I’d been here to already make myself an enemy.

Not everyone is going to like you in life, but it didn’t make it hurt any less when they didn’t.