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I wrapped myself in a threadbare towel and made a promise to myself. I would seize this opportunity with both hands, pouring my heart and soul into being the best damn nanny. I would give this girl the care and attention she deserved, while also taking the necessary steps to rebuild my own life. When she got too old for a nanny, I would move on to another nanny job. I doubted it would pay as much, but it was better than the diner.
ChapterSeven
Ramsey
Iglanced in the rearview mirror to check on Lily. She was reading a book—as always. I parked the car in the busy parking lot the diner shared with a couple of stores. I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake. It was a little strange to be meeting a potential nanny at her waitressing job.
“Ready?” I asked her.
I stepped out of the car. I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I took a deep breath and opened the back door to help Lily.
“Can I get a milkshake again?” she asked.
I should have said no, but it had been a long week of shuffling her around. She deserved a milkshake. “Fine. A small one.”
I walked into the bustling restaurant, my hand tightly clasping Lily’s. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, mingling with the sounds of clinking cutlery and lively conversations. The place was hopping. I spotted Deanna taking the order for another table. I wasn’t sure where to sit to make sure she was our waitress.
Deanna spotted us and smiled before pointing at a table near the window where the warm sunlight poured in, casting a gentle glow on the surroundings. I led Lily to the table and pulled out the chair for her.
“You remember what I said, right?”
Lily nodded. “I remember.”
“We’re just going to talk,” I said. “If you like her, great. If you don’t, that’s fine too. I want you to be totally sure you like your nanny this time. If you don’t like her, just say so. We’ll keep looking. There are plenty of nannies we can talk to.”
“I know.” She nodded.
“I’ll be there in just a second,” Deanna called out.
“I remember her,” Lily said.
“That’s who wants to be your nanny. Do you remember?”
Lily nodded eagerly. “I like her. She’s nice.”
“You don’t have to say that. If you don’t like her, that’s okay.”
“I don’t know her,” she said with a smile.
“Good point.” I nodded.
“She’s pretty,” Lily commented when we caught a glimpse of Deanna rush by.
“I suppose she is.” I wasn’t about to tell my daughter the woman was gorgeous. She was stunning. But that wasn’t important. What mattered was if she was good with kids and reliable. Looks didn’t mean anything. I wasn’t looking for a wife or a girlfriend or anything else. I needed someone I could trust to take care of my daughter. If she was pretty, that was beside the point.
Soon enough, Deanna approached our table, a notepad in hand and a genuine smile in her eyes. “Hi there! I’m Deanna but everyone calls me Dee,” she said, extending her hand to Lily. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Lily looked a little nervous as she shook Deanna’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” Lily said quietly.
“What can I get you to drink?” Deanna asked.
“Lily would like a birthday cake milkshake,” I said. “I’ll take a Coke.”
“Perfect,” Deanna said. “You guys look over your menus and I’ll be right back.”
“She has tattoos,” Lily whispered after Deanna walked away.
“Yes, and you can’t have any,” I warned her. “Don’t ask. I don’t care if you’re thirty or a hundred. No tats.”
