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Now I can place her. She was my sister's best friend and seven years my junior.
I think back to my days in Piedmont. Those were some crazy years. Memories that I have held at bay for quite a while start to pop up and I push them down.
I wonder if she recognizes me. I changed my last name from Smith to Madison when I began my company. I didn’t want my small-town background to seep into my New York life. Keeping the two separate protects me from anyone looking for handouts or a way to blackmail me.
I sit back and think about Cam for a bit. I was not a very nice guy back then so I really hope she doesn’t remember me.
I should probably let her go now that I know, but Maisey is so taken with her and it doesn’t hurt that Cam is downright gorgeous. She was pretty before and probably the reason I was so mean to her was that I was fond of her but our age gap at that time made it very illegal for me to date her or even consider her in a romantic way so I never let myself think that way. She was just a child back then and I was very rude to anyone who was remotely attractive and off limits.
So instead, I was a total jerk and did everything in my power to push her away. Anytime I knew she was at the house, I would find a reason to disappear or poke fun at her. As we grew up I chose the former.
Then I met my wife. She was my age, we had a lot in common and then we had Maisey, our little princess. I thought I would never in my life see Cam again after I left Piedmont. Now she is giving my daughter a bath and homeschooling her in the first grade.
I think for now I’ll keep this to myself.
I get ready to close the laptop when one of those memories on the cloud scrolls through. It's a picture of my ex-girlfriend Nicoli Petrovich. The picture is of the two of us watching the sunrise. Nicoli’s long blond hair is blowing in the wind and I am smiling down at her. Seeing her perfect yet evil smile is like getting kicked in the gut. I still miss her, though I don’t know why.
It wasn’t all bad. We had some great times together. She was the first person I opened up to since my wife died. I mournedher death for years. I didn’t want to look at another woman romantically and had no desire for intimacy. It’s why I’ve been through so many nannies. I rebuff their advances and the next day they quit. Sometimes it’s a week sometimes it’s a couple of months. In cases where I have said no multiple times, they get a severance package, and then I work from home or have Ms. Bailey watch Maisely while I go into the office.
When I met Nicoli, I felt it was time to stop mourning and let someone in. Little did I know, it was the devil I let into my heart.
Chapter 3 - Camdyn Schriefer
In the morning, I woke up disoriented til I remembered where I was. That doesn’t normally happen since I’ve usually been employed consistently. Moving to New York has put me off my schedule a bit. I lay in the cozy bed marveling at how well I slept. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to adjust to new surroundings. I’m not having that issue here. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
I get up and pad my way to the kitchen toward the aromatic smell wafting down the hall.
I sit at the kitchen island nursing a cup of coffee that Ms Bailey made for me. It’s the most delicious coffee I’ve ever tasted. When I asked her what it was she just gave me a wink and a smile and left the kitchen. I think to myself,game on then Ms Baily,and chuckle to myself.
I rub my forehead trying to wake up.
All through Maisey’s bath last night I tried to place Parker Madison’s face and name to no avail and it is frustrating my thoughts already this morning. I know him from somewhere but his name does not ring a bell. I recognize his deep green eyes and brown locks but I do not know from where exactly.
Plus, where would I have met a person from New York while living in a small town in North Dakota? This is my first time ever outside of Piedmont and so us crossing paths would have been a one in one-hundred million chance.
Still, somewhere in the back of my mind, I know him from somewhere and won’t be satisfied til I know from where.
I check the time. I need to shower and get ready so I can wake Maisey up.
I stand under the hot water, the rainshower nozzle distributing droplets evenly and relaxing my body. The water feels divine and the water pressure is the best thing I have ever felt against my skin.
Maybe tonight I will try the jacuzzi tub. My body could use a soak in a hot tub after all the moving and traveling I’ve been doing these last several weeks.
I dress for the day in simple slacks and a collared dark-colored shirt. In my experience as a nanny, simple attire that cleans well is a must. You never know what the day will bring when watching over the little humans. All manner of organic liquids will land in places you never thought possible.
I knock softly on Maisey’s door and crack it open. Her tiny body is lengthwise across the bed, curled in a fetal position, and the covers are on the floor. Curled under her arm, is Floppy, one of her favorite teddy bears. He has a bow tie and wears pants. Why he’s called Floppy escapes my comprehension. A six-year-old’s imagination is a tough nut to crack.
I gently touch the little girl's shoulder and in response, she moves away. A smile flits across my face. I touch her shoulder again and this time her eyes flutter open and then close. I call her name this time and she rubs her eyes and blinks up at me. At first, she has a wary expression then recognition crosses her face and she smiles.
“It’s time to wake up Maisey. Your dad will be leaving in a little while for work.” That got her to a sitting position and she crawled over to my lap. I hugged her and held her hand as we made our way to the kitchen.
“What would you like for breakfast Maisey?”I ask, ready to prepare myself to make a big breakfast worthy of the rich.
“Cereal.”
Her answer surprised me.
“Ok. Is that what you would like for breakfast this morning?”
