Chapter 4
Henley
An Explosion and Donuts
“What are you doing here?”
When I open my front door and find my sister standing there, smacking her gum with her signature bandana wrapped around her head, I try to ignore the disappointment that lodges in the center of my chest because I was hoping to see someone else.
“Nice to see you too, asswipe.” Dilynne scoots past me and straight toward Remy in her high chair.
It was the only piece of furniture I’ve been able to build since I got back from the clinic three hours ago, which is frustrating considering I should have way more done by now.
Turns out, taking care of an infant means it’s virtually impossible to get anything done.
At least I got four hours of sleep last night. After the disaster of the night before, it felt like winning the lottery.
My sister showing up unannounced has instantly soured my mood, though.
Remy squawks from her high chair when she sees my sister.
“Well, hello to you too! Can you say Auntie? Auntie Dilynne?”
“She’s three months old, Dil. Words aren’t on the horizon anytime soon.”
My sister glares at me over her shoulder. “And how do you know that?”
Elodie told me, I think to myself. But instead, I say, “I looked it up.”
“Thank God for the internet, huh?” Dilynne plays peek-a-boo with my daughter a few times, making her giggle before she stands up tall and turns to face me. “So, how did the test go?”
“Simple. I should have the results in a few days.”
“I’m glad you went through with it. I know it seems pointless, but…”
“It’s all right. I know it’s the smart thing to do.”
“Exactly. And now you can focus on finding a nanny and getting this house put together for your daughter.”
I survey my home, realizing for the first time just how pathetic it appears.
I mean, for a single guy, I never gave much thought to what the inside of my house looked like.
My furniture is all dark gray and nice quality, and I have the biggest television I could buy, but the walls are bare, the decorations minimal, and after talking a bit to Elodie, apparently there’s a bunch of baby-proofing that needs to be done.
“Actually, I already found a nanny.”
Her eyebrows lift. “That fast?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story, but…”
“Is she friends with Joanne?” Dilynne asks, referring to Rhonan’s nanny, who is old enough to be his mother.
Elodie is definitely not old enough to be my mom. In fact, I don’t even know how old she is, but my gut is telling me she’s too young to find so damn attractive.
Hiring her wasn’t a well-thought-out plan, I’m aware. But desperation fueled many of the decisions I made yesterday, and I’m actively avoiding the reservations that I’m feeling—particularly about how enticing my new live-in nanny is.
“She’s not, but she’s actually on her way over to start moving in, so…”
“Wait. She’s going to live with you?”
“Rhonan suggested it. Joanne lives with him, and it really helps.”
“Yeah, but Rhonan’s known Joanne for years. Where did you even find this woman?” Dilynne asks just as the doorbell rings, and this time, I know it has to be Elodie.
“She actually came to the lodge to interview for the waitress position, but then there was a coffee incident…” Dilynne tilts her head at me with curiosity, striding toward the front door to beat me there.
“Anyway, we got to talking and she’s worked with kids.
She’s smart, and kind, and I would have been a fool not to hire her… ”
Dilynne races to the door now, and when she opens it, the smirk on her face tells me everything she’s thinking. “Oh, a fool you most certainly are.”
Groaning, I peek my head around my sister, but she speaks before I can.
“You must be the new nanny.”
Elodie’s eyes bounce back and forth between me and Dilynne before she musters a smile and reaches out to shake my sister’s hand. “I’m Elodie. It’s so nice to meet you. I, uh, didn’t realize that Henley had a date tonight…”
Dilynne dry heaves. “Ew, gross! No hun, I’m his sister.”
Elodie’s cheeks turn pink with embarrassment, which is way cuter than it should be. “Oh God. I’m so sorry!”
“I’ll let it slide this time, but just know that the only reason I tolerate my brother is because shared DNA obligates me to.” Dilynne elbows me in the ribs as she pushes the door open wider for Elodie, who has a duffle bag slung over one shoulder and a box tucked under her arm.
“Elodie, this is my sister, Dilynne. She’s annoying, nosy, and stopped by unannounced, just so you know.”
“Forgive me for wanting to check up on you and my niece. After the other night, I felt guilty letting you go home alone.”
“I managed,” I reply as Elodie fights her smile. She knows the hell I went through the first night, and thankfully, she was correct about Remy sleeping better last night. “But now I have Elodie’s help.”
“My mom owns a daycare, so I have a ton of experience taking care of kids.”
“Remy already loves her too,” I add in an attempt to convince my sister that hiring Elodie wasn’t a calculated decision like I know she assumes.
Elodie holds up the box in both hands now. “I’m gonna drop this stuff off in my room and grab a few more things from my car.”
“I can help you,” I say as Elodie heads for her room.
Dilynne yanks me toward where Remy is still sitting in her high chair, perfectly content watching all of the adults around her. “I can’t believe you thought this was a good idea.”
“What do you mean?”
She pushes my chest. “I mean, it’s clear that you were thinking with your dick here, Henley.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare down at my younger sister. “Contrary to what you might think, the only thought going through my mind when I hired her was that I needed help and she knows more than I do.”
Dilynne mimics my stance. “You know you can’t sleep with her.”
“Yes, Dil. I’m very aware. Besides, she’s not going to be here for long.”
Dilynne drops her arms to her sides. “What do you mean?”
“She’s only here temporarily. She applied for the seasonal job at the lodge, and she plans to be gone by Christmas.”
“And what will you do then?”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I stare down the hall.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I mean, look at my house.
” Turning back to her, I fan my arms around the room and the stacks of boxes, bags of clothes and toys, and half-built furniture.
“Cut me some slack here, will ya? I just became a dad overnight.”
Dilynne sighs. “Fine, but you and I both know that this girl is beautiful, and not being able to keep your dick in your pants is what got you into this situation in the first place.”
I flash my sister a deadpan stare. “Thank you for that.”
Smiling proudly, she pats me on the shoulder just as I hear the sound of Elodie coming back down the hall. “Just speaking the truth.”
“Still need help?” I ask Elodie when she comes into view.
She tucks her long, dark hair behind her ear. “Yes, please. There’s only a few more boxes.”
Glancing at my sister, I say, “Do you mind keeping an eye on Remy while I help Elodie?”
Dilynne looks at the baby. “Uh, I guess. Not sure what to do with her, though.”
“As long as she’s not crying, just leave her.”
Dilynne nods. “Got it.”
I follow Elodie out to her car. “Sorry about my sister, by the way.”
Elodie chuckles. “She seems harmless,” she says as she opens up the trunk of her car, revealing a few small boxes and another duffle bag.
“Uh, Dilynne is the furthest thing from harmless. Seriously, I love her, but she’s a lot to handle.”
“Women don’t really like to be told that,” Elodie counters, lifting one eyebrow.
“Trust me, it’s true when it comes to my sister.”
“Have you ever considered that maybe she’s just self-sufficient and aware of who she is, and you are the one who’s a lot to handle?”
I stare down at her, transfixed by the challenge in her voice. “Look, we’re getting off topic here. All I’m saying is, don’t feel the need to entertain her. And if she tells you any stories about me, believe less than five percent of them.”
Elodie huffs out a laugh. “That basically means she’ll tell me anything I ask, won’t she?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Based on this conversation, I have a feeling you two will get along just fine.”
“Well, she is Remy’s aunt, so it would be good for me to get to know her, right?” Elodie loads the boxes into my arms and then grabs the duffle bag, slamming her trunk shut before heading back up to the house.
When we walk back inside, Remy is fussing in her high chair, and Dilynne is standing right in front of her, pinching her nose closed with two fingers.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
The nasally voice that comes out of my sister almost makes me lose my composure. “That little girl exploded. Seriously, it sounded like a bomb went off in her pants and then the most horrific stench I’ve ever smelled filled the room.”
Setting the boxes down on the kitchen counter, I rush to the high chair and lift my daughter out of it. Brown liquid drips down her legs. “She just pooped, Dil.”
Dilynne dry heaves again. “That is not just poop, big brother. That is vile, disgusting soup dripping down her legs.” She gags again.
“I can’t handle this. I—I have to go.” She rushes for the front door, but not before turning back to Elodie.
“It was nice to meet you. Hopefully we can talk more when I don’t feel like I’m inhaling pollution that could destroy the ozone.
” Elodie laughs out loud. “But if you’re ever interested in hanging out or have any questions about my brother here,” she says with a toss of her thumb over her shoulder, “my best friend Laney and I would be happy to oblige.”
And then she’s gone, leaving us standing there in relative shock before we both burst out laughing.
“I take it your sister doesn’t have experience with babies either?” Elodie manages to finally ask through her laughter.
“What gave that away?”