Chapter Eight – Liam
Liam
“How do you like those tacos, angel?”
Winnie looked up at me and grinned. “Good!”
I chuckled and took a bite of mine. The doorbell rang, and I was sure it was Aurora coming over to set up for the movie night tonight. She had mentioned getting here early to spend time with Winnie.
“Do you know who that is?”
Winnie shook her head.
“It’s Aurora!”
“Rora!” Winnie cried out.
Reaching for Winnie, I picked her up and quickly headed to the front door. I opened it, ready to see Aurora’s smiling face and those bright blue eyes that reminded me of a summer day at Moose Lake. Instead, it was Kim.
“Kim? You’re early.”
Her smile faded as she heard the disappointment in my voice. Shit. I needed to be more careful.
“Um, I’m so sorry I’m early. I see I interrupted something.”
I quickly shook away the disappointment and smiled. “No, you’re not interrupting anything. Well, we were having dinner. It’s taco night.”
Kim reached out and tickled under Winnie’s chin. She turned her head and buried her face into my chest, suddenly shy. Then I realized Winnie was upset it hadn’t been Aurora.
Drawing her hand back, Kim’s smile slipped. “Is she sleepy?”
“No, I think she is upset because I thought it was Aurora at the door.”
Kim raised her brows. “I see.”
“I’m sure she’s ready to get back to dinner. Um, come on in.”
“You’re sure? I thought I would come early and set up for your movie night tonight. Thank you again for the invite.”
I stepped back and motioned for her to come into the house.
I had asked Kim to come over for movie night because I thought it would be the perfect chance to introduce her to everyone, now I was second-guessing myself.
“Aurora is taking care of all of that. Well, she and a few other friends of ours.”
“Oh, okay, well. Do you need any help cleaning up from dinner?”
Once inside, I shut the door and headed toward the kitchen. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“Just a quick candy bar as I was driving in. Today was busy trying to get everything taken care of at home so I could be ready to start tomorrow.”
Jerking my head toward the meat that was still in the pan, I said, “Why don’t you make a taco or two? There is plenty left over.”
She looked unsure at first and then placed her hand over her stomach. “I am hungry. Are you sure?”
Laughing, I replied, “I’m positive.”
Setting Winnie back into her chair, I watched my daughter use a fork to eat her tacos. She ended up dropping it and used her hands to shovel it in. I couldn’t help but chuckle. Winnie loved her tacos.
“Does she not like using a fork?” Kim asked, sitting down next to me at the table.
“She can, but it’s easier to use her hands.”
Kim took a bite and watched Aurora eat. “She should have the hang of eating with a fork and spoon by now. Is it something you haven’t worked with her on?”
I wasn’t sure why, but it bothered me that she assumed Winnie couldn’t use a fork or a spoon. “She uses a spoon and fork just fine. She simply wants to use her hands to eat her tacos. Most likely because I am.”
She nodded. “I’ll work with her on using her fingers less.”
Looking at her, I wasn’t sure what to say. “She’s fine using her hands to eat her tacos, Kim.”
Kim paused before putting her taco into her mouth. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep. If you’re fine with her eating as such, then of course.”
“She’s eating tacos, Kim.”
Laughing, she took a bite, chewed for a few moments, then wiped the corners of her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Liam. Of course. You’re absolutely right, and I did not mean for that to come off as if I thought it was wrong. The other family I worked for was a bit more…oh, how should I say this? Uptight.”
I relaxed, then gave her a tight smile.
“When is everyone supposed to be over?” Kim asked.
I glanced at my watch, then said, “I would think Aurora would be here any second now. She wanted to spend some time with Winnie before she headed to bed.”
“Does Aurora often spend time here? I’m only asking so I know to expect her dropping by to visit.”
With a half-shrug, I replied, “She didn’t for a while after Hope passed, but I don’t think she’ll be dropping in every day. The girls are all planning on taking turns on weekends to watch Winnie, so you have the weekends off like we discussed.”
“I don’t mind working on weekends. I’m used to being a live-in nanny, so it isn’t really an issue.”
Winnie was reaching for her cup, which was just out of reach. I slid it over to her, and she giggled when she grabbed it and took a drink. I didn’t have time to respond to her offer, once again, to be available on the weekends because the doorbell rang and Winnie cried out, “Rora!”
“Should I get it?” Kim asked.
I stood. “If you don’t mind watching her, I’ll get.”
“Sure thing!” Kim said, smiling at Winnie, who shoved more tacos into her mouth.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Kim smiling at Winnie. I opened the door to find Aurora and Harper standing there.
“Hello, ladies.”
Harper held up two bags. “We come bearing booze! Pizzas are ordered and will be here at eight.”
“And I brought the movie!” Aurora stated, holding up a DVD.
I stepped back and motioned for the two women to come into the house. They did, and Harper stopped and looked toward the kitchen.
“I smell tacos,” Harper said, her nose up in the air.
“You would be correct. We had them for dinner. I think there might be some left over if you want one.”
With a shake of her head, Harper replied, “I’m saving room for pizza and Aurora’s famous popcorn.”
Looking at Aurora, I raised a brow. “You have a famous popcorn?”
She grinned. “I do.”
“Rora!” Winnie cried out, causing the three of us to turn and see Kim carrying Winnie out from the kitchen. Both women next to me paused for the briefest moment, and I swore a look of hurt passed over Aurora’s face.
“You had dinner with Kim?” Harper asked in a low voice.
“Um, no.”
Turning to look at me, Harper raised her brows. “That’s what it looks like.”
I suddenly was annoyed with Harper. Who was she to pass judgment on me?
Before I could ask, she smiled. “No judgment here, I just thought you’d want to keep that relationship professional.”
I was about to reply when Aurora finally found her voice.
“Hey, Winnie!” Aurora stated as she quickly made her way over to her.
“I invited Kim yesterday during the playdate with Winnie. I thought it would be a good place to introduce her to everyone. I decided to hire her to be Winnie’s nanny.”
Harper nodded. “That’s what Aurora said. That was a fast decision.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I think she’s the perfect fit. I know her, trust her, and she’ll do a great job with Winnie.”
Harper cleared her throat. “Okay, but why is she here tonight? To take care of Winnie?”
I cleared my throat. “Well, no, I thought it would be nice to have her meet everyone.”
Harper’s gaze went from Kim and Aurora to me. She lowered her voice even more. “Liam, do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, she’s going to be your employee, and you invited her to hang out with your friends. You don’t think that might blur the lines for her?”
“Blur the lines? What do you mean?”
Harper motioned for us to step away from the small group to speak more privately.
“I’m just saying,” Harper stated. “You once dated this woman. Now she’s your nanny.”
Annoyed, I asked, “Yes? Your point is?”
“She hasn’t even started her position, and you invited her to have dinner with you and to a movie night with your friends. If she isn’t here to take care of Winnie, then she thinks she’s here on a personal level.”
“That’s nonsense. She is going to be Winnie’s nanny, and that is all. I invited her since she’ll be interacting with each of you. I’m sure she understands that.”
When I looked back at Kim, she smiled and did a small wave. Shit. Shit. Shit. Did Kim think I invited her here because I was interested in her on a more personal level?
Harper leaned in. “I don’t think she got that memo, Liam.”
“No, she can’t think that.” I faced Harper. “Do you think she thinks that?”
Harper nodded. “Well, since I’ve already met her, I’ll go re-introduce myself.”
She headed toward Kim and extended her hand. “Hi! I’m Harper Gallagher, we met the other day during your interview.”
Kim gave Harper a pleasant smile. “It’s so nice to see you again, Harper.”
“Same. My husband Declan will be here soon.”
“Is Winnie finished eating?” Aurora asked me.
“I believe she is,” I replied.
Aurora bounced Winnie in her arms as she spoke to her. “Should we go play for a bit, then take a bath?”
Winnie cupped Aurora’s face and replied, “Yes, pwease.”
Kim quickly took Winnie from Aurora’s arms, leaving the latter surprised, and if I was being honest, myself as well.
“I’ll take her to give her a bath and get her ready for bed.”
Harper cleared her throat, then looked at Aurora, who was staring at Kim with daggers.
Aurora looked annoyed when she asked, “Do you know where the bathroom is?”
Kim smiled at Winnie. “Oh, Liam will show me. Right, Liam?”
“Actually, Kim, Aurora came over early to play with Winnie, and I think Winnie would enjoy that. I’ll give you a tour of the house while they play.” Facing Harper, I added, “Make yourself at home and do what you need to start setting up for movie night.”
Kim looked stunned. Aurora looked relieved, and Harper…well, she was clearly trying not to smile.
Aurora took Winnie back and headed up the steps, Kim watching them until they turned the corner. She turned back to me and said, “I guess I don’t officially start until Monday. You did invite me over for movie night.”
Kim let out a soft laugh, and I wanted to groan. Harper had been right. I was giving Kim the wrong idea.
“You can give me a house tour later, Liam. Let me help you clean up the kitchen.”
“How about we do the tour now, so that on your first day, you’ll be able to jump right into caring for Winnie.”
She smiled and wrapped her arm in mine and said, “That is a great idea.”