With a smile, she takes a sip from her can, then places it on a coaster on the table in front of us before shifting her body to fully face me. “I think you should hire my brother to be your nanny,” she says with enthusiasm, like she’s really trying to sell me this idea.
My brows pinch as I regard her. “Doesn’t your brother live in Oregon?”
She nods. “He does, but he got laid off from his job the other day and will be moving back here.”
I hate the idea, but I can’t outright tell her that without hurting her feelings.
“Does he even have any experience dealing with kids?” I ask instead.
“Are you kidding?” Her eyes widen as she giggles. “Don’t you remember me telling you that he worked at some prestigious preschool in Portland?”
“No.”
Smacking my arm, she says, “You have the memory of a goldfish, I swear. Ash is great with kids. He got his degree in Early Childhood Development at the University of Oregon and graduated with honors.”
I’ll admit, that does pique my interest, but I’m still not sold. Hiring my girlfriend’s brother doesn’t seem like the smartest decision. Violet and I have been dating for several months now, but it’s not a relationship I would callseriousby any means. She works at the feed store in town, and what started out as reoccurring hookups after grabbing drinks together evolved into a relationship over time, that’s now something of convenience.
I like Violet, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t see this becoming anything more than it is, and hiring her brother and bringing him into my home feels an awful lot like opening up a door for her to want more from me.
Sucking in a breath, I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know, Vi. It’s a big job. I’m looking for somebody to move in, and the hours are long. You know how much I work.”
“Finn, I think Ash would be perfect for the job. He isamazingwith kids, he needs a place to live, and he has no children of his own or a partner, so his time is totally open and flexible. I think he’d do a great job, and I’m not saying that simply because he’s my brother.”
I think over what she’s saying. If I don’t consider him, then what other option do I have? None. There have been no bites from anybody in town.
“Come on,” she presses. “At least meet with him. If after you meet him, you still have doubts and don’t think he’d be a good fit, then fine.”
Sighing, I take in Violet’s eager expression. “When does he get here?”
“He doesn’t have a plan as of yet, but if you wanted to meet him, I know he’d get here as fast as he could.”
I nod. “Okay, if he’s able to get here sometime next week, I can meet with him once I finish work.”
Her eyes light up. “Amazing. I’ll give him a call tomorrow and let him know! I don’t think you’ll regret this.”
I sure as hell hope not.
Chapter 4
Ash
Shit, shit shit!
I should’ve known better and booked an earlier flight, but this was almost a hundred dollars cheaper than any other. Now I’m paying the price for being cheap as I stare at the unmoving baggage claim, waiting for my luggage to fly down so I can hop in an Uber and be on my way.
Glancing at the watch on my wrist, I curse under my breath. I’m going to be late for this damn interview if this thing doesn’t get started soon. This day has felt doomed since the very beginning; I shouldn’t even be surprised. The Uber I ordered to take me to the airport in Portland canceled, and the app didn’t notify me. So, I had to mad dash order another one, and I barely made it to the airport with enough time to get through TSA.
Honestly, I don’t understand how some people purposely get to the airport with less than an hour before departure. Talk about a fucking panic attack. I’m not cut out for this shit.
Then, as if that wasn’t stressful enough, my initial flight was delayed by forty-five minutes, making me miss my connectingflight from Dallas to Wolf Creek. Thank god they were able to get me another one shortly after, but now, as I’m sitting here waiting for my suitcase, I’m regretting all my life decisions.
I should’ve flown in last night.
That would’ve been smarter, but I want to spend as little time staying with my sister as possible. Knowing I’m going to be crashing on her couch this week is enough to give me hives.
My nerves are shot, and I fear it’s going to be like that for the rest of the day, no matter what I do. Because of my early flight and the Uber debacle, I wasn’t able to get in a morning yoga session, which has done nothing but properly throw off my entire vibe. I don’t even want to think about what that means for me and this interview with my twin sister’s boyfriend and one of the most prominent ranchers around.
What’s there to be anxious about?
