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“We are alone tonight,” I say to him.
“I’ve been thinking of that all evening,” Logan says, shutting the door and pulling me against him.
Chapter 32
Logan
“Welcome,” Dahlia says, showing me into her office.
I’ve finally taken another step toward bringing Emma home. Dahlia was recommended to me by Collins, one of the guys at the station. She owns an agency that provides vetted nannies to households that needed them.
“Thanks,” I say as I sink into the visitor’s chair.
Vanessa had offered to come with me, but I didn’t want to give the impression that we were a family. I am a single dad and while things are going well with Vanessa, I don’t know what the future holds for us.
“You told me a little bit about yourself and your daughter on the phone,” Dahlia says.
I tell her that I live alone and that I’ve never lived alone with Emma. Dahlia is a real professional and shows no judgment on her face when I tell her a bit about the circumstances of Emma’s birth.
“So now it’s come to a point where I really want her to come and live with me full time,” I conclude.
“How exciting,” Dahlia exclaims. “It’s a new beginning for the both of you.”
“Yes, it is, albeit a scary one,” I admit.
“No need to be. Parenting comes naturally,” she says. “But it’s less overwhelming when you have an experienced nanny to walk with you.”
“Yes, I imagine it is.”
“Do you want a live-in nanny?” she says.
I’m going back and forth on this one. I’m not sure how I feel about having a stranger living in my house but given that I’m at work a lot and I’m sometimes called for emergencies, it makes sense to have a live-in nanny.
Vanessa thought it was a good idea as well.
“Yes, I think a live-in nanny would be best for now,” I say.
It’s a good thing that my house is big. She can have the bedroom on the second story and make Emma’s nursery in the adjoining bedroom.
“My girlfriend and her eight-month-old daughter live in a cottage on my property and sometimes they come over. That’s another consideration I’d like us to include.”
“Not a problem,” Dahlia says. “It’ll just bump up the cost a little bit.”
“No probs.”
“I have a few ladies I’d recommend. I think a mature nanny would be best,” she says. “I have one who recently came off a long-term contract. She’d been with the family for seven years. Her name is Fiona and she’s in her early fifties but she’s energetic and fantastic with children.”
“I’ll go with who you recommend,” I tell her.
“Great. I’ll have her come by for a visit and a chat,” Dahlia says. “Then you can tell me what you think. If you don’t hit it off, I have a lot more choices for you.”
“Sounds good, thanks.”
We agree on a day and time when the nanny can come by and then I say goodbye. I walk to my car with a light step. It’s gone easier than I thought. My next stop is Valerie’s place.
It’s an impromptu visit and Morris answers the door.
“Emma is sleeping,” he whispers and then directs me to the living room where Valerie is. I find her on the couch with an album on her lap, flicking through the pages.
“Hi, Valerie,” I say and sit down next to her to look at the pictures.
“Hello, Logan,” she says with a sad smile and caresses one of the photographs.
It is of a young Jade, with a wide, lopsided grin. She’s laughing at the camera and in her hand, she’s holding an ice cream cone.
“We were on vacation and as usual, all the staff at the resort were Jade’s friends. She was that kind of soul. People were drawn to her bright personality and happy nature,” Valerie says.
Guilt grabs me by the throat. I never took the time to get to know Jade and she ended up becoming the mother of my daughter. What will I tell Emma about her mother when she grows up and asks?
“She would have made an awesome mother,” Valerie continues. “I miss her so much sometimes but thank God for Emma. Because of her, Jade’s death was not in vain.”
My admiration for her and Morris knows no bounds. They’ve been encouraging me to get to know Emma and to raise her myself. Emma is their only living relative and for her own good, they’re willing to let her go.
Valerie closes the album. “Did you go to the agency?”
I update her on my visit.
“I’m happy for you and Emma but a little bit sad,” she says. “We’re going to miss her so much.”
“I know. You and Morris have been absolute gems. Emma and I are lucky to have you in our lives,” I said, feeling emotional. It’s been a long journey to this point where I feel ready to take Emma home with me.
