AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I needed a nanny. I tried to keep an open mind as I went through the website again. I could put out an advert, but the last thing I needed now was to be inundated by applications or to carry out multiple interviews.
Holding onto the sliver of hope in my heart, I picked up my phone and called Troy. Violet knew no one in Cape Worth aside from her friends. There was little doubt she'd go to them. Even if she didn't want to come back to us, I needed to know she was fine and safe.
“Hey, man,” Troy's voice came on the line.
“I need to speak to Layla.”
“Why, what’s up?” My friend's voice held no animosity, only curiosity.
“Violet left,” I said.
“What do you mean she left?”
"She packed up, and she's gone. Doesn't work here anymore.”
"What?" A noise sounded in the background, and then I heard, "Layla, did you know Violet left Shawn's?”
They were quiet for a long moment, and I could imagine the stare-off. Layla knew but hadn't told Troy.
"Look, I just need to know that she's okay. You guys shouldn't be caught in the middle of this," I said. It was doubtful they heard me, but I had to try.
“Why didn't you tell me?” came Troy's voice.
“Because...you'd tell him. She doesn't want him to know where she is.”
“I'd tell him?”
“You're his friend. Are you saying you wouldn't have?” A long pause. “Just as I thought. Can I speak with him?”
Seconds later, Layla's voice came on. “I'm so sorry, Shawn.”
“No, I should be. Will you guys be alright?”
"We will. I hate keeping things from Troy, but I know he's loyal to you, but I'm loyal to my friend, too." She paused. "She doesn't want you to come after her."
I frowned. “Fine. I just want to know that she's safe.”
“She is. She's sorry, Shawn.”
That bit at me. “I bet.”
“Shawn...”
“Doesn't matter. I'll find another nanny.” But not another woman who would make me feel like I'd never really lived until I met her. “Thank you.”
Before she could offer more sympathy, I ended the call. I held onto my phone. Violet was safe. That's all I needed to know. Why was it still so hard to let it go? Probably because my heart was breaking; it felt like a part of me left with her. I gritted my teeth and pulled my laptop close.
I was never sentimental. I cared about doing practical things like providing for my boys and protecting those I loved. I didn't sit and stare in the distance pondering what could be. It hurt to feel this way. This incapacitated. But I would move past it and do the best for myself and my sons.
Pulling the laptop close, I ran through the list of nannies. I pushed aside the high bar Violet had set and went with pure reason. All their credentials were impressive, but one stood out most to me. She'd gone through various courses on how to handle kids. She'd be good for the boys.
Decided, I hit the ‘hire’ button.
Chapter17
Violet
It was late evening when I hurried up the walkway to Kate's front door. I couldn't splurge on a cab, so I stuck to taking a bus and walking the rest of the way home. I glanced over my shoulder, as I'd been doing all evening, and caught only a woman with a stroller and two teen boys walking by.
