Chapter Seven – Aurora
Aurora
Harper and I sat quietly by as Liam explained what he was looking for in a nanny, the hours he would need, and how I, along with Harper and Cadie, would be helping to fill in so that whoever took the position would have weekends off.
Kim waved her hand. “I have no social life, so I don’t mind working weekends.”
Harper cleared her throat and shot me a worried look. Confused, I shook my head slightly, telling her I wasn’t sure what she was trying to say.
“Kim,” Harper stated. “I appreciate that you don’t mind working weekends, but Liam and Aurora have devised a good schedule to allow those of us who love and care for Winnie to be a part of her life.
We’ve all watched her grow up, and it means a lot to have us be able to keep being a part of her world, so you won’t be needed for weekends. ”
Kim smiled, but it looked forced. “Yes, of course. I was just letting Liam, the father, know I’m willing to work weekends.”
My brows shot up at the tone she used with Harper. The moment I saw this lady, I got a strange feeling about her, and the more she spoke, the less I liked her.
Liam stepped in. “Harper and Aurora have each played a significant role in Winnie’s life since Hope was first diagnosed. I don’t think it’s unfair of them to want to continue that role. You’ll have to feel comfortable with them having a say in Winnie’s care just as much as I do…the father.”
Bravo, Liam!
I was relieved to see that Liam had caught the little jab Kim had made. By Harper’s expression on her face, she was as well.
“Of course,” Kim said, sounding like someone poured honey into her mouth. “I meant no disrespect. This is quite unconventional, so I just need you to allow me some time to adjust. I’m not used to dealing with…friends…as well as a parent.”
Liam smiled. “No worries. I just needed you to know that before we moved forward in case you had any issues.”
I turned to look at Liam. He sounded like he had already made up his mind on who would be the nanny. I mean, honestly, Kim seemed like the best fit, but there was another agency in Lake Placid that I hoped Liam would contact. He needed choices.
“I have no problem with that at all.”
“Great. Are you free tomorrow? We could head to the park, and you could spend some time with Winnie.”
Harper and I exchanged looks. Maybe Liam felt desperate since the other nanny prospects were pretty bad.
He knew Kim, had even dated her, so maybe that gave him a sense of trust in her.
I glanced down at the references she had handed to Harper, who then passed them on to me, and they were stellar.
High marks from everyone, including the last family who had apparently begged her to move to Italy with them.
Kim beamed. “I’m free tomorrow and would love to join you and Winnie at the park.”
Liam stood. “Great. We can exchange numbers and connect in the morning.”
Kim also stood. “Wonderful! When I saw it was you, I wasn’t sure how receptive you would be to me applying for the position.”
That got me curious. “Why is that?” I asked.
Turning to look at me, Kim stated, “Our history, of course.”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“I don’t see why it would be a factor,” Liam stated. “We broke up on friendly terms.”
Kim’s eye twitched, but she smiled and replied, “We did. My goal is to give you peace of mind that your daughter will be well taken care of. As you can see by my references, I come highly recommended by my last employer.”
Kim took the papers from my hand and handed them to Liam.
Liam smiled. “I’ll look over them and we’ll talk more tomorrow. I’m glad to see you again, Kim.”
“The same goes for me.”
She turned to leave, then faced Liam again. “I do need to know one thing. Is this a live-in position?”
“No,” Liam quickly replied. “It is not. Will that be a problem?”
For a moment, I thought for sure Kim was going to say yes. Instead, she cleared her throat and replied, “No. I live in an apartment in Lake Placid, so that’s not an issue. I got it once I knew the family I worked for was leaving.”
Liam looked relieved. “Great.” He reached into his wallet and took out a business card. “It has my cell phone number on there. Just text me in the morning and we’ll figure out when and where to meet.”
Taking the card, Kim scanned it before looking back at Liam. “Wonderful. It was great seeing you again, and until tomorrow!”
“Let me walk you out,” Liam said as he motioned for Kim to walk ahead. Once they were out of earshot, Harper turned to me.
“So, do you find it kind of strange that an ex-girlfriend of Liam’s is going to be his new nanny if he picks her?”
I chewed on my lower lip. “Okay, so it’s not just me, then?”
Harper shook her head. “No, it’s not just you. Did you hear how she commented on the one who got away? It totally went over Liam’s head.”
“She might not have been talking about him.”
Harper exhaled. “She was talking about him. And the whole throuple comment!”
“Yeah, that was kind of strange her mind immediately went to that.”
Shaking her head and wearing a worried look, she softly said, “I don’t know, Aurora.
Liam instantly decided she would be the nanny without even giving it a thought.
He doesn’t need anyone else’s permission, but as much as he has made you a part of this, I find it kind of crazy he’s just going to pick her.
What about looking for another agency? Maybe get a few more choices so he can make a better decision. ”
“I thought the same thing and was going to mention it. He didn’t have very many other options though, certainly not with this company. He should, at least, tell them she’s not twelve and see if they send other candidates over. Maybe he feels comfortable because he knows this woman.”
She nodded. “That’s true. She does come with some pretty amazing references. Even if it’s not from the royal family.”
I giggled. “Let’s see what Liam is thinking. He didn’t officially offer her the job, just a playdate.”
“That’s true.”
Harper and I glanced down at the resume Liam had set down on the table, then back up at each other.
“Why are my spidey senses telling me this woman will bring trouble?” Harper asked.
“I think we’re just being overprotective. It’s going to be okay. Maybe this is a good thing. Liam knows her, and clearly he thinks he can trust her.”
“He hasn’t seen her since high school!”
I nodded. “Let’s just see how tomorrow goes. Then we’ll take it from there.”
Harper dropped back in her seat and exhaled. “I’m just saying, my spidey senses are never wrong. Ever.”
As much as I didn’t want to admit Harper was right, I had a bad feeling about this Kim Thompson. The last thing I would do is say something to Liam, though. Ultimately, he is Winnie’s father, and he doesn’t need our permission.
The bell above the door rang, and I glanced up to see Liam and Winnie.
“Hey, what brings you guys here?” I asked as I made my way around the counter and over to them. Winnie ran toward me, and I bent down to pick her up.
“Hi there, princess!”
“Rora!”
“Winnie wanted to see you, and I promised her a new book.”
Smiling, I glanced at Liam. “A new book, huh?”
Winnie nodded her head.
“Well, let’s head on over so you can pick out your book,” I said as I put Winnie down and took her hand. Liam followed behind us.
Glancing over my shoulder, I asked, “How did the visit with Kim go today?”
“It went well. She’s going to start Monday.”
I stopped and turned to face him. “You hired her?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I mean, she’s the perfect fit. I know her, she’s young and able to keep up with Winnie. And the best part, Winnie liked her.”
Winnie walked over to the new books display in the children’s section. I always set up a small display, and since Winnie had been to the bookstore so often, she knew that the display was all new books.
“I’m…well…I’m glad she liked her.”
Liam frowned. “Why do I feel like there is a but in there?”
Stay in your lane, Aurora.
“Not at all. Liam, this is your choice. Winnie is your daughter, and if you feel comfortable with Kim, then that is who you should hire. Did you think about contacting the other agency though, like Harper and I suggested?”
He shook his head. “I don’t see a need. Kim and Winnie hit it off, and I’m comfortable with Kim. It won’t feel like a stranger is in my house. Plus, she can start right away, which is even better!”
I raised my brows.
“Call me crazy, but all those other women were not a good fit. What are the odds that someone I know would be the last person we interviewed? It’s fate.”
I didn’t want to point out that Hope had been jealous of me spending time with Winnie and that I hardly thought she would love the idea of an ex-girlfriend watching her daughter, so I smiled instead.
Turning, I saw Winnie looking at a book I had just gotten. The book was Pringle and Finn.
“Did you find a book, Winnie?” I asked.
She held up the book and nodded.
“That was fast,” Liam said as he picked Winnie up, holding the book tightly in her hands. Liam started for the counter to pay for the book. “Are we still on for movie night tomorrow evening?”
Smiling, I said, “Yes! Everyone is a go for it.”
“Do you need me to order the pizzas?”
I waved him off. “No, don’t be silly. You’re letting everyone come to your house for it.
Harper will get the pizzas ordered, and I’m in charge of the drinks.
Cadie, of course, is bringing the dessert.
Brystol and Gavin can’t make it, but they said next time for sure.
Being new parents, I don’t think they’re ready to leave Lily at home yet. ”
Liam smiled. “I don’t blame them one bit. If you do need me to do anything, please let me know.”
With a quick nod, I replied, “I will.”
Lou proceeded to ring up Winnie’s book while I put it in a bag with a few stickers for Winnie. Liam paid and took his daughter’s hand. He looked like he was unsure what to say.
“Kim will start Monday.”
I cleared my throat. “You said that.”
“I did?”
“Yes,” I said with a soft laugh. “If you need anything or Kim needs anything, please let her know I’m more than happy to help.”
“I will.” He looked down at Winnie and then back at me. “Thank you, Aurora, for your help with the whole nanny thing.”
“Of course.”
He stared at me momentarily as if he wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure what to say.
His eyes almost looked like he was longing for something.
Or someone. For the briefest of moments, I wanted that someone to be me, but pushed that away when I realized that what I was seeing in his eyes was solely for his longing over his old life with Hope.
Not me. And why on Earth would I think it would be for me?
I was going to have to think this whole thing over when I was alone. Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“What time will you be over tomorrow?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d love to spend time with Winnie before she goes to bed.”
A wide grin appeared on his face. “She’d love that. Come on by whenever, we’ll be home.”
Leaning down, I hugged and kissed Winnie. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Kay! Wuv you, Rora!”
“I love you too, princess.”
When I stood back up, Liam gave a quick nod. “See you tomorrow.”
Before I could say anything, he turned and practically ran to the door, dragging Winnie with him.
“See ya later,” I said softly as I placed my hand over my chest. I couldn’t catch my breath.
“What’s the matter?” Lou asked.
My head jerked up to look at her. “Nothing, why?”
Her arms folded over her chest, and one brow slowly rose. I had no idea how she did that, but it reminded me of our mother when she was trying to flesh out information from one of us.
“I know you well enough to know when something is bothering you, Aurora.”
I chewed on my lip as I glanced around to ensure no one else was in the bookstore. Focusing back on my sister, I told her all about Kim Thompson and her sudden reappearance in Liam’s life.
“You don’t trust her?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I don’t know her.
Harper said she had a weird feeling about her, and I have to say, I do as well.
The fact that Liam just instantly hired her I guess is throwing me off.
He accused me of trying to take Hope’s place because of her insecurities about me, and I was her friend.
Does he somehow think Hope would like an ex-girlfriend watching their daughter? ”
“Maybe you should talk to Jake and Opal about it?”
“And say what exactly? I don’t like that Liam hired an ex to watch Winnie. That only makes me sound like a jealous loon.”
“Are you? Jealous, I mean?”
My mouth fell open. “No! I’m not jealous at all. Liam is a friend, I’ve never thought of him as anything other than that.”
“Okay. Then what does Mom always tell us? Pay attention to your instincts. If they’re telling you something, listen.”
I exhaled. “I don’t know what to think, to be honest with you. I think Liam panicked when he realized he needed to figure something out and went with a safe option.”
“But you don’t think she’s safe?”
With a slow shake of my head, I exhaled. “I don’t think she would ever hurt Winnie if that’s what you mean. The way she looked at Liam though. And the fact that he didn’t know she was on the schedule because she was added last minute, that feels more off than anything.”
My sister shrugged. “The only thing you can do is trust Liam’s instincts on this one if you don’t feel comfortable telling him how you feel.”
“You’re right,” I said with a nod. The bell above the door alerted us to customers. Turning on my heel, I went over to greet them, letting Liam and his new nanny completely slip free of my thoughts.
For now, at least.