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I quickly scanned the foyer and what was visible in the living room. Toys were strewn across the rug, but it was homey. I drew on the manners my mother had instilled in me over the years. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you.” Sam set his daughter down, and she immediately began playing with a dollhouse as she kept one wary eye on me.
I dropped to my knees on the floor next to her. “It’s so nice to meet you, Maggie.”
Sam sat on the couch, his legs spread, his elbows resting on his thighs. “I need someone who can start right away.”
“I’ve been watching my niece the last few years, and she starts school next week. So, I’m available to start then.” I kept my gaze on Maggie, watching her as she organized the furniture in the house and set up her dolls on a chaise.
Sam drew in a long breath, drawing my attention to him.
“I don’t have any formal experience. I haven’t nannied for anyone outside my family. If that’s not enough experience, I’ll understand.” It was hard to believe anyone would want to hire me when my résumé consisted solely of babysitting my niece.
I wanted to be honest with him. I didn’t want to give anyone a false idea of my abilities. I was done with pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
When he didn’t answer, I continued. “I don’t have any certifications, and I haven’t taken any college courses. My skills are all from on-the-job training.”
“I would think watching children is on-the-job training,” Sam said.
Relaxing slightly at his words, I asked Maggie, “Do you mind if I play?”
When she nodded eagerly, I picked up one of the dolls that looked less loved, figuring it wasn’t one of her favorites, and said in a high-pitched voice. “May I come over to play?”
Maggie covered her mouth and giggled.
It was lovely. I let the sound fill my chest.
Maggie moved her doll in front of mine. “Would you like tea?”
“I’d love some.” We played like that for a few minutes. I was aware that Sam was watching me. I wasn’t sure what was appropriate for an interview like this, but I figured he’d want to know if I was good with kids, and I was more comfortable playing with Maggie than facing him.
Finally, Sam cleared his throat. “I go to work early. I need to leave by six a.m. Most of the time, I’m home by four, but sometimes I might be late, depending on what’s going on at the job site.”
“Okay.” I was used to Gray’s long hours and Elle’s changing schedule. Other than making time for my art, I didn’t have any other commitments.
“Most of the other nannies didn’t like the schedule. I’d prefer to know before I hire you whether that will be a problem.”
“It won’t be. I don’t have anything else going on.” I preferred to work on my art in the evenings, so it might work out perfectly. “It would allow for me to spend time with my niece too.”
He nodded. “I don’t want to change nannies this frequently. I’d like consistency.”
“I have no plans to leave.” I wasn’t from Telluride, but until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, this job meant security, and I needed that.
“Elle said you were looking for an apartment. You’re welcome to stay in the guest room. That way you can sleep in and get up when Maggie does. She usually sleeps until about seven.”
I was thinking about getting an apartment, but after I looked at the rent prices in the area, it wasn’t possible. “That would be perfect, actually.”
I’d get out of Elle and Gray’s home and be on my own. Somewhat, anyway. It sounded like Sam wasn’t home often, and I could visit Amelia in the evenings.
“I’d prefer it if you weren’t out late. I go to bed early.”
I almost laughed at that. “I haven’t had much time to meet people since I moved here. I’ve been taking care of Amelia.”
I held his gaze, needing him to know I was responsible. Or at least as responsible as I’d ever been. I was trying to make up for my past.
“I’m not saying you can’t go out. You’re young.”
For the first time, I allowed myself to take him in. He was muscular. It was obvious he did something physical as part of his job. He couldn’t have been much older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, so just a couple of years older than me.
