Josephine fusses with Skyler, getting her to eat, and forgetting about the live-in nanny lie, which is disappointing. I was hoping she’d nail Tobias to the wall. She looks at me. “Tell me more about yourself, dear.”
I decide to lean into my childcare qualities some more. “I took care of my younger sister growing up. I learned a lot about caring for small children.” This is not a lie. My parents both worked, and we were often home alone.
“Oh?” Josephine asks.
“I taught myself how to sew. I used to sew the holes in my sister’s socks.” This is true. My family had no money, so Ilearned how to make the pennies stretch, although I was never very good at sewing.
“That’s an excellent skill to have.” Josephine gives Tobias a nod.
“I’m CPR certified.” At least I was when I was in ninth grade. I was in a junior achievement program in school where they taught us CPR. I remember most of it, so I’ll count it.
“Impressive.” Josephine puts more potatoes on Skyler’s plate.
“I love teaching kids,” I continue, laying it on as thick as I can. “My favorite thing to teach is science. I love running experiments. You know, baking soda and vinegar volcanos, and making homemade rock candy. That kind of stuff.” This is pretty much true as well. I watched a lot of Bill Nye growing up, and me and my sister would play science experiment all the time. We mostly made big messes, but no one needs to know that.
“I don’t know who you hired, Tobias, but you might want to reconsider.” Josephine gives me a wink and I realize she knows he’s lying as well.
We finish the meal, and Josephine takes the dishes to the kitchen. I hop up to help so I look useful. By the time we’re done, Tobias is standing in the living room with Skyler, looking like he wants to leave.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Josephine says. “It’s such a nice spring evening.” She opens the front door, and I follow her out. Tobias and Skyler trail after me.
Josephine heads south. “There’s a park this way.”
“The park!” Skyler yells as she runs ahead. Josephine grabs her hand and walks with her, leaving me and Tobias to trail behind together.
We walk in silence for a couple of blocks until I can’t stand it anymore. “Nice day.”
Tobias glances at me. “Sure is.” He looks at the sky. “How did quilting go?”
I bite my lip. I can’t admit to him that I stabbed my finger more times than I stabbed the fabric. I just bragged about my sewing skills. “It went well. I’m going back on Wednesday night.”
“Ah. I see.”
I tap my leg, trying to think of something else to say. “Skyler is an adorable girl.”
“She’s my world,” he says softly.
I’m surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. I try to think of something else I can say about her. “I love her spunk. She looks like she doesn’t take any guff from anyone.”
Tobias chuckles. “She lives with me and my three brothers. She’s learned how to hold her own, that’s for sure.”
I knew Tobias had three younger brothers, but I didn’t realize they all lived in that mansion together. “That…must be interesting.”
“What, living with my brothers?” He shrugs. “My parents died ten years ago. I’ve practically raised them. They’re good young men.”
A newfound respect for Tobias Barrett forms in my gut. I had no idea. “I know what that’s like. I practically raised my sister.”
He lifts his eyebrows. “Your parents…?”
“They both worked. I was left alone a lot with Kiera. I had to learn how to do all kinds of things on my own.” Sadness tugs at me. She was ten when I left. I miss her so much. I often wonder how she’s doing.
Tobias stares at me a moment before stepping off the curb. “I understand.”
“So, you’re a single dad, huh?” I cringe. What a dumb thing to say.
He nods as he undoes the cuffs of his dress shirt. It’s a warm evening and I can imagine he must be hot in his long sleeves. “Yes, ma’am.”
The way he says it, like the responsibility weighs heavy on him, makes me jerk my gaze to him. I’d read online that he was a wealthy investor, and I guess I just assumed that meant his life was easy.
