Lilliana happily played with her toys while I grabbed a washcloth and squirted soap on it. I tried to wash her, but she wrestled the cloth from my hands. I was just washing her hair when Dalton came into the room.
"Are you okay?" I asked him.
He dropped to his knees. "I am now."
"You want to rinse her hair?" I asked as I rolled back on my heels and stood so he could take my position. It was important for him to be the dad. I was here in a supporting role.
"Thanks for helping."
I stood. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable. We can chat after Lilliana's in bed."
Dalton nodded gratefully as he filled a cup with water and poured it over her head. He kept one hand on her forehead so the suds wouldn't get in her eyes.
My heart contracted at the protective gesture as I left the room. I needed a break from Dalton being a father. He was too sexy for words.
I changed into a T-shirt and sweats, then opened a book, but I was unable to focus on any words.
A while later, there was a knock on my door.
"Come in." I set my book on the nightstand.
Dalton came in, gesturing at the bed. "May I?"
"Sure."
He sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry about that."
I tipped my head to the side. "Oakley coming in unannounced or yelling about me being here?"
He sighed, his hands clasped. "All of it."
"Did she know about me working for you?" I asked.
He glanced over at me, regret in his eyes. "She does now."
"You should talk to her, tell her why I'm here, so she understands why you need a nanny."
"It won't make a difference."
"Why would she talk to her lawyer about me being here?" I asked.
He shook his head. "She'll want to use your being here against me. She's probably jealous that I have a woman living with me."
I frowned. "I've worked many live-in nanny jobs. Nothing inappropriate has ever happened."
"That won't matter to Oakley. She likes to create issues where there are none."
"If it's a problem for you, I can move out." I wasn't sure where I'd live, and my commute would be awful if I was off island again.
"I don't think that will be necessary, or at least I hope not."
My impression was that Dalton felt out of control in this situation. I hoped I could bring a little security back. "Why don't you talk to your attorney tomorrow as well. It wouldn't hurt to be prepared for what she's planning."
"That's a good idea." He stood, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
"I'm here this week and can watch Lilliana whenever you need me to."
"I'm worried that Oakley will revert to an every other weekend schedule.”
