AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod. “Yeah, we can. Why don’t we go inside now?”
She hurries to the door, attempting to open it on her own. When it proves to be too heavy, she looks to me for help. I grab higher on the handle and provide the added force to open it.
Once we’re inside, Lola points to the left side of the hall. “My classroom is door number three on that side.”
“Thanks for showing me. I’ll wait right here.” I smile.
“Okay, thanks, Marlow.” She wraps her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. “I’m glad you’re my new nanny.”
“Me too, sweetheart.”
She releases me and heads in the direction of her classroom. “See you later, alligator,” she hollers over her shoulder.
“In a while, crocodile,” I yell back, ignoring the irritated looks from several parents loitering in the hallway.
“I’ve never heard that one before. I like it,” Lola exclaims as she skips down the hall. Her backpack bounces with every step.
Her teacher is standing by the door and welcomes her with a high five when she enters the classroom.
I send Dylan a text confirming that Lola has been dropped off at school.
I’d call this a successful first day on the job.
The bell’s chime announces my arrival as I enter Brush & Palette.
The air is filled with some of my favorite scents—wood, paint, and cinnamon. There’s an adorable string heart display near the front of the door, promoting an upcoming Valentine’s Day craft night.
“I’ll be right with you.” Quinn’s voice comes from the back of the shop. She must be knee-deep in restocking the new inventory from the big shipment she got in yesterday.
I browse the arts and crafts section and select a pack of washable paints. Johanna mentioned that I’ll occasionally watch Lola in the afternoons and I figure it’ll be fun for us to paint together. After I grab a bottle of mineral spirits from the aisle over, I pull out my phone and send an electronic payment for my purchases. I know how much Quinn dislikes having to reconcile cash payments.
I find my friend at the back of the store, teetering precariously on a ladder, stacking a new style of wooden picture frames. Her shoulder-length black hair frames her face in unruly waves, and she’s rocking her go-to work outfit: a blazer, dark-wash jeans, and a black smock over the top.
“One of these days you’re going to fall and break your neck, if you’re not careful,” I say playfully.
She glances over at me. “You’re late,” she scolds. “I’ve been waiting for a half hour.”
“I’m sorry, it’s been a hectic morning.” I move closer. “And I grabbed a couple of things when I came in.” I hold up the pack of paints and mineral spirts. “I already transferred money to your account.”
“That’s great, thank you.” She puts the last picture frame in place before climbing down the ladder to greet me.
Quinn Matthews was the first friend I made when I moved to Aspen Grove. We met while I was chasing Waffles down Main Street after he bolted after a squirrel during our morning walk. Quinn witnessed the entire spectacle and intercepted Waffles when he tried to run past her. I bought her coffee as a token of appreciation, and we’ve been friends since.
“So, when are you planning on telling me how your first morning as Lola Stafford’s nanny was?” she asks with a raised brow.
“It was—Hold on. How did you know about that?” I haven’t had the chance to update her about my new job since I only got the position last night.
“Sarah McCormick stopped by to grab some sketch pads for her daughter a few minutes ago. She mentioned that she saw you walking with Lola Stafford to school. According to her, you’re the talk of the town.”
“It seems everyone is interested in my whereabouts this morning.”
While I’ve heard the saying that news travels fast in a small town, I never experienced it firsthand until moving to Aspen Grove.
“What do you expect? Dylan’s one of the hottest commodities around. Ever since he started bringing Lola to the Mommy and Me craft class on Saturdays, attendance has tripled. I’m considering changing the name to Family Craft Corner because of him. Maybe more hot single dads will attend if I do.” Quinn wiggles her eyebrows.
I frown. “You never told me he brought Lola to one of your classes.”
“No, because Dylan Stafford is a topic of conversation you usually prefer to avoid.”
