Page 18 of Always Be Mine
“What exactly is the position you’re hiring me for?” she asked the moment they were out of the room.
Craig gestured to a nearby table, where she took a seat.
He took a deep breath. “It turns out that I’m in the market to hire a nanny, and when I saw you with Meri, it just seemed like?—”
“A what?” She shook her head, unsure she heard him properly.
“A nanny.”
“A nanny?”
“A nanny.”
“A—”
“Yes.” He stopped her from repeating herself yet again. “I know it’s not what you were thinking when you told me you were going to apply for a job, but there have been a few developments in my life in the last few hours, and now I need a nanny for the next six months.”
“Six months?”
He nodded. “It would only be a temporary position, yes.”
“Temporary.” On some level, Lucy was aware that she was probably coming off as a simpleton with all her parroting, but she was having a very difficult time processing what was happening. She hadn’t thought much beyond a few weeks, let alone six months. Sure, taking the job at an ice cream shop might have bought her a month or two to figure out what she was doing, butsix months?As ananny?
There were a million reasons she should get up from the table and walk out without saying another word. She didn’t know these people. She didn’t know their story or owe them anything. Never mind the fact that she had absolutely no experience with children whatsoever. She hadn’t even really been a babysitter when she was younger. In fact, the only thing she really knew about little girls was that once upon a time, she herself had been one.
“I haven’t even met your wife yet.”
“I don’t have a wife.”
“Meri’s mom,” she said quickly. “I haven’t?—”
He shook his head, but his face was blank and unreadable. “Meri doesn’t have a mom.”
Lucy blinked.
“I…I don’t have anywhere to stay.” The objection slipped from her mouth without thought. Why hadn’t she just said thanks, but no thanks? She didn’t need to make up excuses. She could just say no. “The rental is only for two weeks and?—”
“No problem.” Craig sat back in his chair.
A huge smile lit up his handsome face. He had a dimple on his right cheek. It was the last thing Lucy should have noticed at that moment, but she couldn’t seem to look away as he said, “I own the suite upstairs, remember? You can stay as long as you want.”
Lucy shook her head. Her mouth opened and shut wordlessly.
“Look.” The smile slipped from Craig’s face as he leaned forward and took her hand in his.
The touch was completely unexpected, but as soon as his skin touched hers, heat raced through her, and she found herself settling.
His hands were big and strong and warm. There was something comforting about him; despite the fact that she hardly knew the man, she feltgoodaround him. And that wasn’t a small thing. Not lately.
“I know this probably sounds totally crazy.”
“It really does.” She nodded. “Did you even look at my résumé?”
He pressed his mouth into a thin line and shook his head. “I don’t really have a lot of time to get this done.” He blew out a breath.
“I can save you the trouble then. I don’t have any experience with children. I’m a restaurant manager. I’ve worked at a variety of Vancouver hot spots. The closest thing I’ve come to being a nanny is juggling the dramas of a staff full of twenty-year-olds who are all either dating each other, or sleeping with their best friend’s boyfriends, or?—”
“Really? They do that?” Craig looked amused.
