Charlie glared at the woman. “This is Hallie, my new nanny. You better be nice to her, or my dad’ll be real mad.”
I rested a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “It’s okay. She just wants to make sure you’re safe.” Though she could’ve been a hell of a lot nicer about it.
The woman gaped at me. “Nanny?”
Her voice went up an octave on the word.
I nodded, extending a hand. “I’m Hallie.”
She stared at my palm for a second before taking it. “I’m Katelyn. I’mreallyclose to Law, so I’m just surprised he didn’t say anything. He knows I’d always help out with the kids if he needed.”
My stomach twisted in a vicious squeeze at her words. I was unsure how to answer.
Footsteps sounded to my left, and Aspen appeared. She sent a sharkish grin at the woman next to me. “Katelyn.”
The blonde’s mouth thinned into a hard line. “Aspen.”
Aspen turned to me and gave my arm a squeeze. “You ready to go?”
I nodded. “You have everything, Charlie?”
“Yup! I didn’t forget my lunchbox this time.” He held up the cloth satchel as if to prove his point.
“I’d say that deserves a gold star,” I said.
Aspen glanced at the little girl hovering behind Katelyn. “Does Heather want to come home with us? I’m going to show Hallie the animals.”
Katelyn opened her mouth to object, it was written all over her face, but her daughter spoke up first. “Please, Mom? I want to see Mabel.”
Katelyn’s nose wrinkled in distaste, but she acquiesced. “All right.” She glanced at Aspen. “What time should I pick her up?”
Aspen glanced at her watch. “How about four-thirty?”
Katelyn jerked her head in a nod before turning back to her daughter. “Be careful. I don’t want you getting mauled by a herd of goats and donkeys.”
Heather giggled, but her mother hadn’t sounded like she’d meant it as a joke. “Mabel loves me. She’d never do that.”
Katelyn looked doubtful but headed for the parking lot with one last scowl in Aspen’s direction.
“That was…” My words trailed off.
“Something?” Aspen offered.
“Definitely something,” I agreed.
The three kids were happily chatting away now, so Aspen moved in closer. “Don’t take Katelyn personally. She’s an unhappy soul.” She glanced at the retreating woman, wincing. “She’s got a thing for Law, though, so she might make your life a little difficult.”
“Are they dating?” The question popped out of my mouth before I could stop it. Who Lawson was involved with was none of my business.
Aspen burst out laughing. “Oh, God, no. And don’t ask him that. He’d be insulted you thought it was even possible.”
I flushed but couldn’t deny the relief washing through me. “Oh.”
She studied me for a moment. “Law hasn’t dated anyone for as long as I’ve known him, which is a few years now. Haven’t heard of him dating anyone since his divorce, actually.”
That twisting sensation in my stomach was back. Was he so in love with his ex that he couldn’t move on? I wanted to ask Aspen but swallowed the question.None of my business.
Her eyes shone with mischief. “I think he’s just waiting for that one right person, ya know?”
