“Thank you so much!”
After we hang up, I consider calling Violet and telling her the news, but decide against it in the end. One, because I’m sure Ash has already called her, and two, another thing my dad said that was great advice…boundaries. If this is going to work, I need to keep Ash and Violet separate. Just because he’s going to be my son’s nanny now doesn’t mean she gets to meet my son or come around unannounced. I’m sure she knows this, but I think a conversation laying out as much would be smart.
Just not tonight.
I’ve done enough decision making for one night.
Chapter 6
Ash
Moving day is here, and my stomach is in knots. Not only am I moving in with my—very hot—boss, but I also don’t know him very well. I’m essentially moving in with a stranger. Finn went over the basics the night he called to offer me the job, like pay, what all is expected of me, and stuff like that, but there’s still so much I don’t know. Like what if our lifestyles clash, and he ends up hating living with me?
There’s way too much room for awkwardness, but what other choice do I have? This is an incredible opportunity; both because I don’t want to live with my parents again and because I love working with kids, and getting to work with them one on one is even better. Plus, it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
“Ready to go?” Violet asks, swiping her sunglasses and keys off the table. She’s helping me bring all my stuff over to Finn’s. Not that I have all that much. I sold a ton, like furniture and kitchenware, this week when I went back to Portland because I don’t have a use for any of it right now.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Vi was almost more excited than me when I called her and told her I got the job. It does feel a little weird that my new boss is her boyfriend, but maybe that means I’ll get to see her a lot during the week. It’s been years since we’ve lived in the same place, so getting to see her regularly will be nice.
The drive from Violet’s place to the ranch is only about eight minutes, but the closer we get, the more twisty my stomach gets.
“Are you excited?” my sister asks as we pull onto the long gravel road that leads to the ranch.
“Yeah, but I’m nervous too,” I admit. “Give me some tips. What are some things Tucker loves that’ll help me get on his good side.”
Vi chuckles. “I have no idea. I’ve never met him.”
My head snaps in her direction. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah, I’ve never met Finn’s son. Or his family.” She shrugs before adding, “Well, I mean, I know who they are from work, but I’ve never met them as his girlfriend.”
“Haven’t you guys been dating for a while now?”
“A couple months, yeah.” She nods, but doesn’t seem too affected by it. Not like I would be.
That’s weird.
“Does Finn know you’re coming with me today to help?” I ask as she passes the barn and the main house.
Violet shrugs. “I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him yet today. I thought you’d tell him.”
Before I have time to tell her that I haven’t talked to him today, she parks in front of his house.Showtime.Tucker is the first one out of the house, barreling through the front door and down the steps. Wearing a huge grin on his face that shows all his teeth, he’s waving at us as we climb out of my sister’s car. I drove mine back from Portland, and it’s still at her place. I’ll get it later on tonight. A few moments later, Finn follows with much less pep in his step than in his son’s.
I don’t miss the way his gaze settles on Violet’s for a long moment before slicing over to me. “Need help carrying anything in?”
“Uh, sure,” I murmur awkwardly. “Thanks. It’s not much.”
“Who are you?” Tucker asks, peering up at my sister, eyebrows crinkled together.
“I’m Violet,” she replies sweetly before Finn cuts in and adds, “She’s Ash’s sister.”
There’s a stuffy type of tension that surrounds us as my sister flicks her gaze to her boyfriend, a look of confusion on her face. Finn, however, seems completely unaware of the tension as he moves around us toward the open trunk. The three of us work in mostly silence to bring all the boxes inside, placing them in the room that’s going to be mine. It’s a decently sized room. There’s a desk in the corner, a bookshelf, a queen-sized bed, and a pink furry rug on the floor that seems so completely out of place in this house. Must’ve been the previous nanny’s.
As soon as we’re finished with the boxes and Violet is shutting her trunk, an ATV pulls up beside her car, an older version of Finn behind the wheel. Turning it off, he climbs out just as Tucker notices and runs over to his grandpa.
“You must be Ash.” Extending his hand for me to shake, he says, “Gentry. It’s nice to meet ya.”
