3. Cameron
It’s been a shit day, and I’m late.
Every single meeting throughout the day went longer than expected, and now I’m rushing across this supposedly small town.
I swear, Seaside feels more like rush-hour traffic in Portland, than driving through a lazy beach town along the coast when you’re in a hurry.
Out of nowhere, it’s as if every pedestrian comes out of the woodwork.
They suddenly need to cross the street in random places, stop traffic to practice parallel parking because clearly no one can successfully do it the first time, and every light in this town must turn red, as if it senses my car approaching.
As I stop for yet another pedestrian, I look to the overcast sky and pray for the love of all that is holy, the woman I’m interviewing is as competent as my mother makes her out to be.
I’ve already met with two others today and since this is Mom’s favorite, I’ve chosen to meet with her last to ensure I give my top three picks a fair chance.
Although the first candidate came with good references, there was something off about her when we met in person.
She made it through my preliminary interview without Milli, but when Mom brought Milli in to interact with us, Suzie seemed far more interested in continuing our conversations than getting to know my daughter.
That was a big turnoff. Milli’s only three, so of course she’s shy at first around new people.
But once she gets to know you, she’s quite outgoing.
The fact that this woman made no effort toward my daughter is a hard pass.
The second candidate didn’t even make it to meeting Milli.
Again, her references were good, and she checked the boxes Mom and I had talked about.
But when we started talking about my need for flexible hours due to the music festival I’m organizing, she suddenly got starstruck.
No matter how hard I tried to steer the conversation back to my daughter—the reason she was there in the first place—all conversations led back to the possibility of meeting famous musicians in Seaside.
Sure, Smashing Waves Records hosts the Summer Music Festival. And yes, Jax Cartwright, the lead singer of Ruby Frax, made his start at this very festival. With their recent success while touring with Riser, they’ve become a household name. I can’t even say I blame her.
However, that isn’t why she was here.
Clearly, all thoughts of my daughter jumped right out the window. Upon realizing this, I quickly shut the interview down and sent her on her way.
Now, I’m down to one candidate.
Mom leaves in less than a week, and I’m screwed if I can’t find a nanny.
Instead of meeting at my office, Mom set up the meeting at the house, so Milli can get her nap in this afternoon. I’ll admit I’m a little leery after the last interview, but Mom insists she’s found the one. It’s who she wanted in the first place. Hopefully, I’ll feel the same.
I’m extremely protective of my daughter.
She’s the greatest thing I never knew I needed in my life.
She’s had the keys to my heart since the moment our eyes met.
Although I’ve hated uprooting her from the only home she’s known, Milli’s young and resilient.
If I can find someone to help watch her, this summer will be a great experience for both of us.
The only way I’ll ever get to see my daughter this summer is by renting a place in Seaside.
Commuting two hours each way just isn’t an option, after putting in a full day’s work.
I’m bound and determined to find someone who can help lift the load of being a single parent and manage the ins and outs of the festival.
I’m a good father—or at least I try to be. I’ve somehow managed to balance being a solo parent and working my way up at the label, into this new position. If this summer goes well, it’ll allow me to travel less in the coming year, which inevitably allows me to spend even more time with Milli.
Rushing into my driveway, I don’t even bother parking in the garage. Throwing my vehicle into park, I quickly grab the resumé sitting in my passenger seat and look it over once more as I make my way to the front door.
As soon as I realized I would be late, I called Mom.
She assured me she’d let this third candidate know about the setback in my schedule.
She knows how important it is for Milli to feel comfortable in her surroundings and promised me she would use this time to see how the candidate interacts with my daughter.
Unfortunately, Milli has swim lessons in about an hour, so my time to see for myself how Milli responds is limited.
Mom and I decided if the interview should proceed, she’d take Milli to swimming lessons, and I’ll finish the interview—if it gets that far.
With my track record, I’m not holding my breath.
From the moment I open the door, I can hear laughter coming from the family room.
Milli’s high shrills are mixed in with Mom’s and someone I don’t recognize.
Typically, Milli’s the first to greet me when she hears me enter the house.
She’s clearly distracted, so I use this time to pause in the hall and listen intently.
“Again… again,” Milli gasps between giggles.
In a deep growl of a voice, I hear, “Somebody’s been sleeping in my bed.”
Milli guffaws, and the obvious story the stranger is reading continues. I’m quite familiar with Goldilocks and the Three Bears . It’s one Milli enjoys reading quite often. I’m certain I could recite it in my sleep; I’ve read it so many times.
As the stranger’s voice changes with each character, my daughter giggles in anticipation of what’s to come, much like she does when I read it.
My heart races at the possibility of this candidate being a good fit.
Milli is clearly relaxed and happily enjoying this experience.
I’m impressed this person can put my daughter at ease in such a short time.
Not wanting to disturb them or change the energy in the room, I hang back and listen as the story is finished before making my presence known.
When I walk in to join them, my chest squeezes at what I witness.
The two of them are on the couch, with their backs to me.
Mom’s standing in the kitchen sipping her water with a wide smile on her face as she watches her granddaughter with our potential nanny.
Milli’s shyness has clearly disappeared as she has wormed her way onto the practical stranger’s lap.
I haven’t seen her do this with anyone but family before.
With her trusted blanket squeezed in her chubby hand, she points at the pictures in the book with her other.
“This book now…” my daughter insists, picking up another book beside her. Without skipping a beat, I watch the woman pick up our well-worn copy of the Barnyard Dance and enthusiastically start the words I know so well. “Stomp your feet…”
The rhythm and cadence she adds brings so much more to the story than my version. Milli sighs heavily and leans in to rest her head against the woman’s side. I can’t see her face, but her body language alone has my nerves relaxing as well.
Glancing at my mom to see if she’s witnessing this too, she reassures me with a nod and mouths, “She’s great with her.”
I couldn’t agree more. I haven’t even spoken to the woman on the couch, but clearly, she’s got a gift with children. This definitely puts bonus points in her favor. Hopefully, she’ll pass the rest of the interview with flying colors as well.
When the story comes to an end, Milli asks for “More.”
But before anyone can respond, I make my presence known. “Milli, I think that’s enough for now, don’t you?”
My daughter practically bolts off the couch and yells, “Daddy!” as she runs toward me.
Scooping her up, I squeeze her tight. “How was your day, baby girl? Were you good for Gammy?”
Nodding heavily, she says, “Uh-huh. And for Iz.”
“Is?” I question and look toward my mom at the same time Milli shouts, “Her!”
Mom quickly rushes out, “She couldn’t say Lizzy.”
My eye catches motion as the stranger on my couch quickly stands, smooths her hands down the front of her clothes, and quickly walks around the couch to greet me.
The moment our eyes meet, she halts abruptly.
Her eyes widen as round as saucers, and her jaw drops for the slightest of moments, before she quickly pulls her lips together tightly.
My breath freezes in my lungs as I stare in disbelief.
This cannot be happening.
The universe must hate me.
I rapidly blink, hoping my mind is playing tricks on me.
How. The. Fuck. Is the only woman I’ve connected with since Milli was born standing in my living room?
But I read the resumé. This woman—well, girl if we’re being technical—is only twenty years old.
“Cameron?” my mother asks, concern laced in her voice.
Milli chooses this moment to squirm, so I quickly put her on the floor.
I kid you not, my shy daughter runs up to Lizzy, takes her hand, and pulls her toward me.
“Dis, is Iz. She gonna watch me when Gammy goes.”
Oh shit.
My heart thunders in my chest.
All I can do is stare into my beautiful daughter’s eyes as she silently pleads with me to make her request come true. Clearly, this woman has made an impression on her.
You and me both, kid.
Fuck… what the hell am I supposed to do?
Glancing at the resumé still in my hand, I read the name once more. Slowly, a question rolls off my tongue, “ You’re Elizabeth Lancaster?”