by Kennedy Fox
I playfully roll my eyes. “Yes, I’ll stay.”
In two small steps, she has her arms around me. “Good. That means I get to see more of ya. We can call Rose tomorrow and let her know. Sometimes I like to make her sweat.” She chuckles.
Like clockwork, Papaw comes down the stairs, and Gigi makes him a plate. We all sit at the dining room table, and Gigi tells him the news. Though he listens, I can tell he doesn’t care about any of the details.
“Guess that means you’ll be in Texas longer.” He gives me a wink.
“Yes, sir. Happy to be, actually. I love it here,” I tell him. It’s definitely a nice distraction too.
“We love having you here,” Gigi tells me.
“You two keep saying that, and you might have to force me to leave,” I joke between bites, and they both laugh.
“You can stay as long as you’d like. Heck, you can stay forever,” Gigi says, which makes me smile.
Papaw tells Gigi what he plans to do today, and their conversation moves to a list of things they need to grab from town. When I look at my grandparents together, my heart is so full. They are the epitome of everything I’ve ever wanted in life—a happy marriage, a big family, and true love.
The next morning after my run, I walk inside, and I almost feel like I’m living the same day again. Gigi is on the phone and waves me over, and I already know it’s Mrs. Bishop on the other line.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mila! It’s Mrs. Bishop. Your grandma told me that you’d like to take the job. How about today?”
“Today?” I ask, glancing over at Gigi who’s eagerly nodding. These Texans sure like to rush things.
“Yeah, today’s as good a day as ever,” Mrs. Bishop says.
“Um. Okay, yeah sure. I need to shower and take care of some small things, but I can be over afterward.”
“Perfect. Gigi knows the address. Thank you so much, Mila. I just know little Maize’s going to adore you. We’ll see you after lunch.” I’m almost in shock as I end the call. Gigi makes me a scrambled egg sandwich, and I eat it really quick before running up the stairs and jumping in the shower. I try on several different outfits, but all of them scream college student. I send my mother a text and tell her to ship me a box of clothes since I’m staying in Texas longer than I expected.
In the bottom of my suitcase, I find a dressier shirt and choose the nicest pair of jeans I have. Considering I only brought boots and sneakers, I go for the boots. When I look in the mirror, I wonder if I’m trying too hard, but I roll my eyes and decide to go with it anyway. By the time I make it downstairs, Gigi has cleaned up the kitchen and is sitting at the table reading the newspaper.
“So tell me how to get there again,” I say, opening the notes on my phone and writing it out because I know GPS is wonky out here. One time it told me to turn down an old dirt road that I knew wasn’t right.
“You’ll go up the road and turn when you see a rusty truck on the corner. You’ll head down about eight miles with lots of twists and turns in the road, and you’ll see a red barn on the right. About a quarter of a mile from that, you’ll see the sign for the B&B.”
I glare at her. “Did you seriously just give me landmark directions?”
“You’ll find it, dear. Can’t miss it,” she tells me matter-of-factly.
I stand and give her a hug, grab the keys to her Cadillac, and head out the door. Sitting behind the steering wheel, I try to get ahold of my nerves as I crank the car. I unlock my phone, read over the crazy ass directions, and then head out.
When I finally see the sign for the Circle B Bed & Breakfast, I somewhat relax, but I’m still tense and nervous as hell.
Taking my time, I drive down the old rock road, kicking dust up in my wake. I pass a large white house that looks like it should be on a postcard and keep driving. At the end of the road, a huge house with a wraparound porch and gorgeous bay windows come into view. I park beside the other cars, but I don’t go inside. I walk around the side of the house and down a sidewalk that Mrs. Bishop told me about. It leads me straight to a country ranch-style home. Before knocking, I brush my hands through my hair, smooth the wrinkles from my shirt, and take a deep breath.
I knock a few times, but no one answers. Not really sure what I should do, I call Mrs. Bishop.
“Hello?” she answers sweetly. I hear crying in the background, and it sounds like Riley’s having a fit.
“Hey, Mrs. Bishop. It’s Mila. Um. I’m at the house, but no one is answering the door.”
“Oh honey, just walk on in. They’re home. It’s no big deal.”
I swallow, feeling weird about barging in. “Okay, I will. Thank you. Sorry for bothering you.”
“You’re fine, sweetie. Talk to you soon.”
I end the call and open the door.
“Hello?” I say, shutting the door behind me and looking around. I catch a glimpse of photographs on the wall, all of horses and cowboys. There isn’t much else to look at, and I can definitely tell this is a bachelor pad. Walking in farther, I call out again as I look down one of the hallways.
“Can I help you?” a deep voice booms and echoes off the wall, causing me to twist around and gasp.
“Shit!” I say loudly, nearly jumping out of my skin. “You scared me half to death.”
It takes everything I have to keep my mouth from falling open. I swallow hard and can’t stop staring at rock hard abs. There’s a man standing in front of me wearing nothing more than a towel wrapped low on his waist. Water drips from his hair, down his chest, and my eyes nearly bulge out of my head.
“Jackson’s not home. So you can find your way out,” he says, rudely.
I tilt my head at him like he’s lost his damn mind.
“No sorority parties happening here either.” He walks toward the door, and I see the muscles cascading down his back as he reaches for the knob and turns it, showing me my way out.
“Wait, who’s Jackson?” I finally ask, furrowing my brows when he turns and looks at me.
He narrows his eyes at me, both of us obviously puzzled. “Who are you?” The cool air from outside fills the room, and I shiver.
“Mila Carmichael.” I hold out my hand to shake his, but he doesn’t take it. I awkwardly shove my hands back into my pockets. “Who are you?”
“This is my house. I’m John. You sure you’re not looking for my brother, Jackson?” He looks me up and down, his expression hardening, and I’m not sure what to make of it. “He’s the same height and build, looks a lot like me.” Oh God. There’s two of them?
“Actually, I don’t know who I’m looking for. Mrs. Bishop sent me. She said a nanny was needed for her new grandbaby, Maize. Maybe I have the wrong house. I’m sorry for intruding.” I take a step toward the door, but he closes it before I can walk out.
“My mama sent you over here?” He shakes his head, annoyed.
“Yeah, I guess. You’re the one with the baby?” I ask, almost surprised. He’s nothing like I imagined, and now I’m second-guessing this whole thing.
“Yes, but I told her I didn’t need any help finding a nanny, and you don’t exactly look like one,” he hisses, walking past me down the hall. “I’ll be right back.”
Wait. What the hell does that even mean? Nannies have a certain look?
Once he’s gone, the baby starts crying in the other room.
I walk toward the crying and find the beautiful baby girl lying in a co-sleeper next to the bed. Gently, I pick her up and place her against my chest. I rock my body slowly to comfort her and spot her pacifier on the bed.
“Hi, baby Maize. It’s nice to meet you,” I say in a soft voice as she fusses. Reaching down, I grab her pacifier and place it in her mouth. I’m sure having a stranger picking her up isn’t helping either, but after a few moments, she stops crying and looks up at me.
“She likes you.” I turn around and see John standing in the doorway wearing a tight-fitting button-up shirt and blue jeans. His muscular arms cross over his b
road chest, and I see a sparkle in his eyes and am relieved he’s not pissed I just waltzed in here and picked up his baby. Most new parents are very protective over their children, but I’ve been told I have a very trusting demeanor, so I use it to my advantage.
“How old is she?” I ask softly. Mrs. Bishop told me, but my brain suddenly went blank the moment I walked in here.
“Three and a half months,” he responds.
“She’s beautiful,” I tell him, glancing between him and Maize. “She has your nose.” I smile.
The corner of his mouth lifts up just the tiniest bit before he speaks. “Thanks. She looks a lot like her mother too.”
“Well, I’m available and would be happy to help you get her on a better schedule. Now that she’s almost four months old, she can start taking more milk at a time, and that’ll hopefully hold her off longer between feedings,” I explain. “Mrs. Bishop didn’t tell me what days you needed, but if you and your wife or girlfriend have specific hours in mind—”
“There’s no wife,” he corrects me, cutting me off. “No girlfriend either. Just me and Maize.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I try to hold my nerves at bay, but I’m at a loss for words. A single dad. I hadn’t expected that. Honestly, I’m not sure what I expected, but it most definitely wasn’t him. I want to ask a million questions, but I’ll save those for another day. At this point, I’m not really sure I have a job, considering he’d been so dead set on kicking me out of his house since the moment I walked in.
“Oh, okay.” I look down at Maize—who’s happily sucking on her pacifier—and avoid his stare. “I have a pretty open schedule and am available if you do want the help,” I tell him, glancing at him again.
“Alright, Mila.” He pushes himself off the doorframe and walks toward me. “To appease my mother, who’s determined to drive me crazy before I’m forty, I’ll give you a trial run. One week to see how things go. Then we’ll reassess from there.”
I can’t hold back the grin that fills my face. “I won’t let you down,” I reassure him. “I’m from a large family and am known as the baby whisperer at home.” I flash a sheepish smile, trying to hold in my excitement that he’s giving me a chance.
“I believe it,” he says and grins for the first time since I arrived, which does things to me. He should smile more often, showing those perfectly straight teeth. The man is gorgeous, but when I look at him, I finally see a glimpse of exhaustion on his face.
“I need to shave really quick if that’s okay,” he says.
I give him a nod.
The connection we briefly shared is broken when he walks away. When I hear the bathroom door click closed, I hold Maize just a little tighter and try to calm my racing heart.
Chapter Eight
JOHN
“Fuck,” I whisper to myself as I walk to the bathroom and finish drying off. I should apologize for being such an asshole, but I was caught off guard. Who just walks into a stranger’s house like that? It’s something Jackson’s lady friends would do, so I wasn’t out of line assuming as much.
However, considering how pretty Mila is, I’d say Mama is trying to play matchmaker again while finding me a nanny. Kill two birds with one stone type of deal. The woman can’t be trusted until all her boys are married, so I wouldn’t put it past her to use the opportunity. As soon as I get a free moment, Mama’s getting a call. Nannies aren’t supposed to be attractive or young or full of temptation. Nannies are supposed to be older ladies around Mama’s age who just adore being around babies and knit in their rocking chairs.
I slip on my jeans and a button-up shirt before heading out of the bathroom. Going back to my bedroom, I see Mila’s still holding Maize like she’s her lifeline. My heart leaps forward seeing how gentle she is with her, but I force it back.
“When can you start? Now?” I ask.
She nods, smiling at me. Her blue eyes stare into mine, and it’s so intense, I look away. “Your mama told me to start today. Something about you needing to get back to work.”
Shaking my head, I walk past her and grab my cell phone off the nightstand. “Sneaky. What else did she say?”
Mila softly chuckles as she places Maize back in the co-sleeper. “That you’re stubborn,” she states, turning around to face me.
My lips move into a firm line. “Of course she’d say that.” I grab my watch off my dresser and snap it on. My hair is still wet, so I run my fingers through it quickly. “But anyway. I work at the B&B during the day. I’ve actually not been working very much for the past few weeks, but since you’re here, I’d like to try to catch up. I have a few questions first,” I tell her.
“Sure…go ahead,” she says, following me into the living room.
I sit on the couch, and she sits at the other end. Turning my head, I look over at her and notice how nervous she is under my gaze.
“What experience do you have with babies?”
She laughs. “Lots. I have four younger siblings who I basically helped raise. One of my sisters is five years younger than me, the other is three years younger, and I have twin sisters who are ten years younger. I helped my mom do everything while my dad was at work. Every day after school, I’d come home and help with feedings and changing diapers, and as they got older, I was in charge of keeping them out of trouble. I guess you could say I’ve been around babies and kids for the past decade. I also have a degree in elementary education, and when I wasn’t enrolled in summer school, I worked in the nursery at my church. I’ve always been passionate about kids, which is the main reason I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.”
I swallow hard, watching her talk about kids, and by the way she lights up, I know she’s not bullshitting me.
“You’ve never been a nanny before?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Not an actual nanny, like with the title and all that, but trust me when I say I’m more than qualified. I watch my two-year-old nephew often and have since he was born. And he’s a handful.”
Confidence. I like that.
“Well, it certainly sounds like you know what you’re doing. I guess I should show you around,” I say. I lead her into my bedroom that’s been a makeshift nursery since the moment Maize came into my life. I show Mila where all the extra diapers, creams, and clothes are kept. We walk through the kitchen where I point out the extra bottles and formula.
“Do you have any questions for me?” I ask her, leaning against the counter.
“Not that I can think of at the moment, but I’ll be sure to tell you if I do.” She smiles.
“Okay.” I look her up and down and feel confident that Maize will be in good hands with Mila. A part of me feels nervous as hell leaving my baby with a woman I just met, but another part of me knows Mama probably found out every little detail about her before sending her over here, which gives me a bit of relief.
She grins at me. “Shouldn’t you be going to work now?”
I let out a breath, finding it hard to walk out the door, but I know I have to. I give her a firm head nod. “If you have any issues, call me ASAP.”
She swallows hard, then follows behind me. “Um. I don’t have your number.”
As she pulls her phone from her back pocket and unlocks it, I slip it from her hand. I open the text messages, type my number in, and text myself. “Now you do.”
She looks up at me and gives me a reassuring smile. I flash a small grin before finally leaving. There haven’t been many moments since Maize came into my life that I’ve left her alone with anyone other than family, so I’m a bit nervous. Knowing Mila has tons of experience is the only thing that’s keeping me sane as I walk into the B&B. I go to the office and look around and see nothing is where I keep it, which frustrates the fuck out of me.
“Nicole,” I call, opening the door. Nicole is my assistant and has been filling in for me and helping Jackson run the B&B for the past month.
“Yes, sir?” she asks, peeking her head inside the office.
“Where’s m
y duty book?” I look at her.
“Not sure.”
Considering I’m exhausted, and things aren’t where they’re supposed to be, I try my best not to be rude or moody toward her because I know it’s not her fault. “Okay, thanks.”
She takes it as her cue to leave and walks away. I overhear her talking to a guest about changing the sheets in one of the rooms, and when she goes upstairs, I find my book stuffed under a stack of rodeo magazines at the check-in counter. This has Jackson written all over it. Out of the two of us, I’m the organized one, and since he’s been filling in for me, none of my daily tasks have been checked off. I wish Mama would’ve let Alex fill in for me instead because he, at least, takes his job seriously. For the most part, Jackson just glides by unless it has to do with horses—or chicks. After I take a mental note of what needs to be done, I sit on the stool behind the counter and look out the window. My eyes are heavy, and I slightly close them. My breathing slows, and my body relaxes for the first time in weeks. The next thing I know, I’m being woken up by Jackson slamming his hand on the counter. I have no idea how long I’d been there, but my arms hurt from laying on them for so long. Glancing down at my phone, I realize an entire hour has passed.
“Shit,” I say, rubbing my hands over my face.
“Sleepin’ on the job now?” He flashes a shit-eating grin.
“Shut the hell up. I’m tired as fuck,” I admit and look at him, and he looks just as tired as me.
“Tell me about it. Speaking of…” He leans against the counter and nods at the ladies who walk by. A couple of them blow kisses at him over their shoulders, and I shake my head as he winks in their direction.
“Yeah?” I interrupt his flirt session.
“I think I’m gonna move out. I talked to Dad about the house I was supposed to be working on when I moved in…”
“Yeah, wondered if you were ever gonna finish that, honestly,” I add.