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“How are you two?” she asked, keeping her arm around Ivy’s slim shoulders.
“We’re getting sugar for our oatmeal,” Grayson announced.
“Daddy wouldn’t let us eat at Hummingbird’s today,” Ivy said sullenly.
Humor danced in Tova’s eyes. “Oatmeal sounds just fine.” She leaned down. “Sugar makes everything go down better.”
Her words were innocent, but they only reignited strong memories of my dream. I needed to get away from her, but she was standing right where I needed to be. “G, grab the sugar. We gotta get to work.”
Ivy stamped her little sandaled foot. “Daddy’s always gotta work.”
My constant well of guilt filled fuller.
Tova finally met my gaze, her own neutral. I didn’t get the warm smile Ivy did. “Did you talk to Thelma about possible nannies yet?”
“I haven’t had time.” My answer came out curt, and I nearly winced. I didn’t mean to be an ass, but her voice wound around my insides like a velvet glove.
She lifted a shoulder. “It’s only been a day.”
“Can you be our nanny?” Ivy asked.
An ice-cold bucket of water splashed against my face. Kids and the awkward situations they put me in. Unexpected questions to strangers and invites I had no part in approving.
Actually, this was the first time in a long time either had happened. “I’m sure Tova has something else planned for the summer.”
Her smile had a strained edge to it. “Yes. I’m...” She laughed nervously. “You know...the days fill up fast.”
Ivy threaded her hand through Tova’s. The sight both warmed my heart and filled me with guilt that my little girl was desperate for a woman’s attention.
“I would be home” came out of my mouth before I had time to think. Fuck. Was I doing this? My phone was vibrating like crazy in my pocket with notifications and missed calls. Yes. I was, and the more I thought about it, the better the idea seemed. Also the worst.
“Are you making a serious offer?” Tova’s tone was curious. “You just met me.”
“I haven’t met anyone Thelma would recommend yet either. It’s only for a couple of months. I’ll be working out of the office in the house, and I can be flexible on hours.” To punctuate that she was my only option, my phone buzzed again.
Like she heard it, her eyes dropped to the pocket of my polo. For a woman who was getting back on her feet, she didn’t jump at the opportunity. “I don’t know.”
Ivy tugged on her hand. “Can you? It’ll be fun.”
“So fun.” Grayson nodded.
My spark of regret for asking her in front of the kids was wiped out by their enthusiasm.
“I have a princess doll that looks like you.” Ivy beamed.
Grayson wasn’t going to be outshined. “We’re not far from the park. We can go back there.”
She fondly smiled at them both, but the hesitation remained.
“Pay is also negotiable,” I added. Where else would I find a nanny in this town?
“I...” Her reluctance hacked away at my pride. What did I look like to her? An older man propositioning a young woman he’d just met, throwing money at her, when she was in an unstable portion of her life? “No pressure, Tova.”
I might have to ask my sister if she could take the kids for a day so I could catch up. My soon-to-be ex-sister-in-law lived in Crocus Valley now too. She was busy starting her own vet practice, but maybe she’d be willing to help for a few hours a week. The kids missed their aunt Sutton, and they loved their aunt Aggie and her animals. The last thing I wanted to do was impose, but I also wanted to enjoy some of the next two months with my kids. “I can talk to Thelma later today for more leads.”
I dipped my head and held my hand out for Ivy, who still clung to her. “Come on, guys. Let’s let Tova get back to what she was doing.”
Ivy and Grayson exchanged disappointed looks.
