AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I scoff. “And how’s that worked out for you?”
He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “My children have been through a lot recently and I need someone stable to take care of them so I can return to the office. You . . . live in a van. How can I trust someone who’s homeless?”
“Careful, your free-market capitalism is showing.” Anger and annoyance churn in my belly and course through my veins. “For the record, I’m not homeless. I choose to live in a van.”
“I don’t have enough time to run a background check.” He gestures to his kids. “Come on, we’ve got to go.” His dark blue gaze shifts back to me. “I already called the agency. They’re sending someone tomorrow.”
Both Colton and Piper groan. “Dad!” Colton whines. “We like Hadley!”
“Yeah,” Piper chimes in. “She let me pet so many doggies today.”
“With permission,” I add. I dig into my purse and pull out a battered business card. “This is my brother. Call him right now if you want to. I graduated a few weeks ago from Emory University with my JS/MBA. Not only can I help you with your children, but I can also advise you on the legalities of your next merger.” My joke falls flat because his mouth remains a hard line. “Please.”
He shifts on his feet, averting his gaze until a sigh escapes his lips. “Fine, but only for a week. I need to travel to Portland to meet with clients.”
“Thank you so much,” I tell him, relieved I don’t have to return home, tail between my legs, and admit defeat to my brother.
“Where’s your van parked?”
“In a public lot a few blocks away.”
He takes hold of Piper’s hand and starts walking. “Let’s go and get your stuff.”
“Why would we need to get my stuff?”
“Because I’m not letting my children’s new nanny sleep in a broken van.”
I don’t utter another word. Instead, I follow him, watching Colton and Piper skip along the sidewalk. When we get close to the parking lot, my pace quickens as I reach into my purse for the keys.
“Home sweet home,” I mumble as I approach the van.
The kids, of course, think living in a van is cool and they beg to explore. Theo dashes their hopes, though, when he snaps at them.
“Relax,” I urge him as I pack up my bag. “They aren’t going to hurt anything.”
“I’m not worried about the van.”
“Then, what are you worried about? I’m not a monster. I’m not going to do anything to them.” I make a show of looking him up and down. “And I certainly can’t do anything to incapacitate you. You’re twice my size.”
“You’d be surprised by what a person is capable of,” he mumbles cryptically before reaching for my canvas duffle bag. “Is this everything?”
“Yes,” I answer as I sling my backpack over my shoulder. I can always come back for the rest.
We walk back in silence, our paces much slower because both Piper and Colton seem to have lost their energy. Piper whines to be carried and when Theo tells her she’s too big, I step in and take pity on her.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” Theo tells me with a sideways glance.
“She’s just a baby,” I mutter, smoothing my hand over her hair.
“She’s four.”
Though her weight is uncomfortable, especially when she falls asleep, I don’t ask him for help. My Southern stubborn pride refuses to let me give in to any challenge, real or perceived, and whenever Theo looks over to me, he seems to be silently challenging me to put her down.
“It’s not much farther,” he informs me.
I nod and smile, an old habit I picked up long ago. Whenever my father or brother wanted me to give up on something, I responded with a nod and a smile, refusing to give up until my goals were accomplished. I enjoyed proving them wrong every time they doubted me.
When we reach the stone steps of a broad porch with exposed rafters and beams, Theo turns to me with his arms outstretched. “I can take her,” he says, sliding her from my embrace.
Colton opens the front door, holding it for us as we pass through into the warmth of the living room which is decorated with plush, comfortable couches and overstuffed armchairs. There are toys scattered around the floor and I’m pleasantly surprised at the mess. Based on Theo’s buttoned-up style, I was expecting his home to be more formal, the kind of space without a speck of dirt.
“Give me a few minutes to get them settled in bed and I’ll get the guest bedroom ready for you,” he says, heading toward a staircase protruding from the middle of house, essentially dividing the living room from the dining room.
“Is the nanny normally a live-in position?”
“No,” he says, hitting me with a dark stare. “You’re the first.”
