“That must be hard,” I finally say.
“It is.” He rakes a hand over his hair. “Skyler’s a great kid, don’t get me wrong. I’d do anything for her. It’s just…difficult sometimes.”
Emotion cracks his voice, and I stare up at him, watching him struggle for words. It moves me. “You’re a good father,” I say on impulse, touching his arm. I don’t even know why I say it. It just feels right. His arm muscles tighten under my fingers, and I let go.
He looks at me, his gaze full of something I can’t read. “I try to be.”
I glance away, my chest heavy with emotion. This is the man who is raising my little girl. And I can tell he’s doing everything he can for her. Relief floods through me. I’ve worried for years about who was raising her. Were they meeting her needs? It feels wonderful to know Tobias is a good father to her.
He clears his throat. “You really know CPR?”
“Yes.” I say it quickly and stare up at him, even though it’s like staring into the sun. He’s so dang gorgeous, and his southern drawl is attractive. I hold my breath.
He slowly nods as we enter the park. Skyler is on one of the swings and Josephine is standing nearby, watching her. We walk closer, then stop a few feet away from them.
He shields his face from the sunlight and watches his daughter. “She wants the same book read to her, over and over.”
I laugh, a light feeling overcoming me. “Sounds like Kiera. She would make me readThe Very Hungry Caterpillarso many times I wanted to rip that thing up.”
“And she insists on doing things herself until it drives you batty.”
A bit of pride worms its way into my chest. “Being independent is good.”
“And she will talk your ear off.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m not kidding on that one.”
I smile, knowing I’m getting the job. “That’s okay. I don’t mind. We can talk about all kinds of things.”
He sighs and turns to me. “I’ve never done this before. It’s…difficult.”
I love how protective he is of Skyler. My heart swells. “It’s okay. You can count on me.”
His gaze travels over me, his eyes grey like a summer storm. “How long are you planning on staying on Willow Shade Island?”
My heart soars. “I can stay as long as you need me.”
He swallows as he slowly nods. “I can pay five hundred dollars a week. You’ll have your own bedroom with attached bathroom. You get one day off, and you can pick Saturday or Sunday. Hours might vary, since I sometimes have to leave town. But when I’m home you can have evenings to do what you want.”
Five hundred a week? And I get to live in a mansion? I try not to scream. I’ve hit the jackpot. A small part of me feels guilty for lying to him, but I shove that back. “All right.” I keep my voice calm.
He rubs his hand over his chin. “Then can you start tomorrow?”
I hold my hand out to him. “I can start yesterday.”
Tobias laughs and I’m amazed at the transformation in his face. He looks human. And sexy. I shove that thought away.
He takes my hand, and I’m surprised at the warmth of his skin, and his firm grip. His skin is softer than I expected, and there’s a small zing of something that makes my heart flip inside my chest. He quickly releases my hand.
“You can move in when you’re ready.”
I shove my fists in my pockets, too emotional to speak. All I wanted to do was catch a glimpse of her. I never dreamed I’d get the chance to actually spend time with her. “I’ll move in tomorrow morning.”
CHAPTER 4
TOBIAS BARRETT
Iglance out the window and a movement catches my eye. Kiki is coming up the long driveway, dragging a suitcase that looks like it’s been through three world wars. She’s wearing cutoff jeans today and a plain black t-shirt that is so thin a stiff wind could rip it in half. I gape at her. Is that all she’s bringing? One suitcase small enough to be a carry-on?
I must be crazy. I know nothing about this woman. Why did I hire her? She literally looks like she’s coming here off the streets. I wouldn’t shock me if she were pushing a shopping cart instead of dragging that suitcase.
