Chapter 3
Finn
“ H ow was the rest of your week?” My girlfriend, Violet, asks as she takes a seat on the couch beside me. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you much the last few days.”
“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now,” I reply, scrubbing a hand along the scruff covering my jaw.
Violet scoots closer, placing her hand on my thigh. It’s something she does a lot, and normally it doesn’t bother me, but right now it does. Probably because I’m still stressed to the max about finding a new nanny. Cassie’s last day was yesterday, and she’s already moved all her stuff out of the bedroom she’s occupied for three years.
Breaking the news to Tucker was depressing. I’ve never seen him so heartbroken. I’ve put out some feelers around town about hiring a new nanny, but so far, it’s been crickets. Next week ought to be fun. I’ll have to bring Tucker with me and hope for the best. It’ll work temporarily, but it’s definitely not a long-term solution. I’ve got to find someone fast.
Shaking my head from those thoughts, I glance over at Violet, finding her already watching me. “I’m sorry,” I offer. “This week hasn’t been the greatest, but I don’t mean to take it out on you. How was your week?”
“No need to apologize,” she says, tilting her head to the side as she smiles at me. “My week has been mostly uneventful, aside from Mr. Thompson bringing Edgar in yesterday.”
“His goat?”
“Yup.” She giggles. “He ripped open a bag of feed to feast on before leaving behind a trail of poo pellets as he left the aisle.”
“Shit.” I chuckle, the mental image hilarious, but not surprising. Edgar has got to be one of the most ornery goats I’ve ever met.
“It was quite the spectacle,” Violet adds. “But other than that, it’s been a pretty regular week.” As if knowing exactly where my mind’s at tonight, Violet asks, “Any news on the nanny front?”
“Nope.”
I feel bad because I’m being short with her, even more than usual, but I’m just not in a chatty mood. My stress levels are sky high, and the last thing I want to do is gab about it with her. That’s not going to fix anything. I should’ve canceled our plans tonight.
Her hand squeezes my thigh. “Well, I may have an idea.”
Turning my head, I meet her gaze. Eyes ocean blue and surrounded by a thick bed of long, dark lashes stare back at me. “And what would that be?”
Violet’s full, pink lips curl into a grin as she stands up. “Before I tell you, how about I pour us both a drink?”
I huff out a laugh. “Well, alright. I’m not going to say no to that.”
Walking over to the dry bar in the far corner of the living room, she pulls out a snifter glass for my bourbon before grabbing one of the hard seltzers from the mini fridge for her. After she pours three fingers of Foxx Bourbon into my glass, she saunters back over to me, handing me my drink before taking her place beside me again.
“Thank you,” I offer, tipping my chin. “Now, out with it.”
With a smile, she takes a sip from her can, then places it on a coaster on the table in front of us before shifting her body to fully face me. “I think you should hire my brother to be your nanny,” she says with enthusiasm, like she’s really trying to sell me this idea.
My brows pinch as I regard her. “Doesn’t your brother live in Oregon?”
She nods. “He does, but he got laid off from his job the other day and will be moving back here.”
I hate the idea, but I can’t outright tell her that without hurting her feelings.
“Does he even have any experience dealing with kids?” I ask instead.
“Are you kidding?” Her eyes widen as she giggles. “Don’t you remember me telling you that he worked at some prestigious preschool in Portland?”
“No.”
Smacking my arm, she says, “You have the memory of a goldfish, I swear. Ash is great with kids. He got his degree in Early Childhood Development at the University of Oregon and graduated with honors.”
I’ll admit, that does pique my interest, but I’m still not sold. Hiring my girlfriend’s brother doesn’t seem like the smartest decision. Violet and I have been dating for several months now, but it’s not a relationship I would call serious by any means. She works at the feed store in town, and what started out as reoccurring hookups after grabbing drinks together evolved into a relationship over time, that’s now something of convenience.
I like Violet, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t see this becoming anything more than it is, and hiring her brother and bringing him into my home feels an awful lot like opening up a door for her to want more from me.
Sucking in a breath, I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know, Vi. It’s a big job. I’m looking for somebody to move in, and the hours are long. You know how much I work.”
“Finn, I think Ash would be perfect for the job. He is amazing with kids, he needs a place to live, and he has no children of his own or a partner, so his time is totally open and flexible. I think he’d do a great job, and I’m not saying that simply because he’s my brother.”
I think over what she’s saying. If I don’t consider him, then what other option do I have? None. There have been no bites from anybody in town.
“Come on,” she presses. “At least meet with him. If after you meet him, you still have doubts and don’t think he’d be a good fit, then fine.”
Sighing, I take in Violet’s eager expression. “When does he get here?”
“He doesn’t have a plan as of yet, but if you wanted to meet him, I know he’d get here as fast as he could.”
I nod. “Okay, if he’s able to get here sometime next week, I can meet with him once I finish work.”
Her eyes light up. “Amazing. I’ll give him a call tomorrow and let him know! I don’t think you’ll regret this.”
I sure as hell hope not.