Chapter 3
three
. . .
Archer
The woman had tenacity, I’d give her that. She’d walked in the pouring rain, even after ripping her pants and with a large gash on her knee. But even though I felt bad for her, she had zero experience with kids, and I couldn’t hire her just because her ex-husband was a man-child.
“Listen,” she said, just as a knock on the door had us both pausing.
“I’ll be wrapping things up shortly, Lucy,” I called out.
The door sprang open, and my cousin Bridger waltzed in like he owned the place. “We’ve got lunch plans.”
I looked down at my watch and gaped at him. “In an hour and a half.”
“Well, I called to see how the interview went, and Lucy told me that you were getting a late start, and I was visiting Emilia at the Vintage Rose, so I thought I’d come meet the new nanny.” He dropped into the chair beside Winnie.
Emilia was Bridger’s better half, and she owned an interior design firm, but she also ran her family’s flower shop, just a few doors down from my office.
“Dude. We’re in the middle of an interview here,” I hissed.
“Dude. Melody is my girl, and I need to meet whoever you hire. You can’t be trusted after your last pick.”
Winnie stood up and sighed. “Well, isn’t this interview over? You’ve already decided that you aren’t hiring me, right?”
Was her bottom lip quivering?
“That’s harsh.” Bridger gave me a look before turning his attention to where Winnie had just tossed the blanket on the chair. “Geez, is that blood on your pants? My God, what the hell happened to you?”
“You know what? ” She threw her hands in the air and turned her attention to me. “Let me tell you why I’m more than qualified for this job and why you’re missing out big!”
Now she was leaning over my desk. I couldn’t help but notice the way her wet cream blouse clung to her chest, accenting the two hard peaks poking through her bra.
She was stunning, with her long brown hair falling all around her shoulders as her honey-brown eyes found mine.
Normally, this sort of aggression would’ve pissed me off, but instead I found myself intrigued.
“Ah… I came at the perfect time,” Bridger said under his breath, though we both clearly heard him.
“First off, my car broke down in a rainstorm, yet here I am. I didn’t throw in the towel, find a phone, and call and reschedule. I was determined to get here, today, because I want this job.”
“And that’s reason to hire you, even if you have zero qualifications?”
“Zero qualifications and zero experience are two very different things. You only asked my experience with children, not what my qualifications are,” she hissed.
“I don’t have siblings, which doesn’t make me unqualified.
Your daughter is also an only child, so clearly, she and I already have something in common.
And we were both raised by a single dad.
” She paused and blew out a breath. “Yes, my aunt and uncle told me you’re raising Melody on your own, so I know this bit of information, even if you didn’t bother telling me anything before deciding I was unqualified. ”
Bridger leaned forward and grabbed the apple sitting on my desk and took a bite, causing us both to turn and look at him, before he directed his attention to Winnie. “Continue. So far, I’m on your side,” he said.
This fucking guy.
“My point is, if I broke down in a rainstorm with your daughter in my car, I wouldn’t fall apart and give up.
I would do whatever it took to get her where we needed to be.
I’m quick on my feet.” She held her hand up when I started to interrupt.
“I’ve volunteered at the nursing home near my apartment in Chicago for years, so I have experience with caring for people, just not children.
I have a degree in English literature and a minor in psychology, which means I love to read and I understand the value of reading to children.
I graduated top of my class, which means that I’m driven and determined to be the best at whatever I do.
So, you should be so lucky to hire me because I will be the best nanny Melody has ever had. ”
“I mean, she makes a good point, and the bar is certainly not high in that department,” Bridger said, and I flipped him the bird.
“Bridger, zip it. Winnie, can you please sit down and let me have my say now.”
She shrugged before dropping down in the chair beside my cousin.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. My daughter is my whole world.
I just want to make sure I’m hiring someone who can handle the responsibility of caring for a child, because work is getting busier than ever, and there will be times when I’m not able to be around.
That would make you the primary caregiver.
” I sighed before continuing. “This means cooking for her, bathing her, driving her—and you clearly don’t have a reliable vehicle. ”
“I’ve been cooking for my father and myself since I was eight years old, and I’m a damn good cook.
I bathe people at the nursing home, and I assure you, bathing an elderly person is not easier than bathing a child.
” She tipped her chin up. “And I can’t help that my car is old and unreliable; however, I’m saving up for a new car now.
I can ask my aunt and uncle if I can use their car when I need to drive Melody.
I was told that the school was close to the house, and I didn’t realize a lot of driving would be involved. ”
“Pfft. Your last nanny didn’t even drive Melody, nor could she walk her anywhere, since she barely got off the damn recliner,” Bridger said before chucking the apple core into the garbage can like he was a professional basketball player.
“Bridger.” I pinched the middle of my nose. “Can you please stay out of this. I’m trying to do things differently this time.”
He just smirked like the whole thing was hilarious. “Well, let me just say that I have more cars than I need, so Winnie, I’ll drop a car off at the house for you to use when you drive Melody. Sound good?”
Her mouth hung open, probably wondering if he was serious. Turning to my cousin, I rolled my eyes. “Are you done now?”
“I am. Hire the girl. She went through hell to be here. That already trumps your last hire.” He stood and smirked at me before turning his attention back to Winnie.
“And we’ve got a spot for you on the plane, so plan on coming to Paris for my brother’s wedding in a few weeks.
We want the big guy to have some fun, so having help will make that a hell of a lot easier on him.
See you at the Honey Biscuit Café at noon, Archie. ”
Did he seriously just tell her she got the job and that she’s coming to Paris?
Winnie was still gaping at the door when he pulled it closed after he’d walked out, and then she turned to me. “At least one of you thinks I’m qualified.”
“I’m sorry if I insinuated that you weren’t.”
“You didn’t insinuate it—you actually said that it wasn’t going to work.
” She looked like she was trying to hide her smile.
“Listen, Archer, I really want this job. I promise you, I will take the best care of your little girl. I’m extremely reliable and capable, and if you want to do a trial run, I’m happy to do that. ”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “All right, let’s try it out for two weeks, and if it’s going well, we can make it permanent. It’s hourly pay, which I’m happy to discuss, and free room and board is included, as long as your hours are flexible.”
“My hours are very flexible,” she said. “I’m an author, and I can write when Melody is at school and in the evenings. I can be available whenever you need me.”
This did seem like a perfect solution.
“You’re an author?”
“Correct. I’m still pretty new to this profession, but I’m having fun with it.”
“Good for you. And you’re okay with making meals if I don’t get home in time for dinner, or occasionally breakfast?”
“I’d actually prefer to do the cooking, especially if you’re offering to feed me.” She chuckled. “I took cooking classes for a few months when I did a summer abroad in France. I promise you, I’m a good cook.”
“Wow. Seems like you know how to do just about anything,” I said, pushing to my feet.
“Well, aside from walking in the rain without falling.” She shrugged as she moved to stand. She extended her hand. “Thank you for the opportunity. When do I start?”
I chuckled. Did she think I was going to just leave her here when we both knew she didn’t have a working car?
“How about we go jump your car, get the thing running, and then you can meet me at my house after I pick Melody up from school this afternoon, and you can meet her and see the casita, and make sure it’ll work for you.
It’s not a huge space, but it’s got its own bedroom and bathroom, and you’d have access to the kitchen and laundry room in the main house. ”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice quieter now, as if she was surprised by my words.
I led her out of my office.
She carried the blanket with her and handed it to Lucy. “Thank you for letting me use this.”
“Of course. Bridger said things went well?” Lucy asked, and I had to laugh.
“Next time, how about we don’t let the guy barge into my office during an interview.”
“Have you ever tried to stop your cousin from doing something?” She pursed her lips. “I asked him to wait, and he just chuckled and walked right past me.”
“Sounds like Bridger,” I said, trying not to laugh because the dude was an asshole, but I loved him. “I’m going to give Winnie a ride to her car, and then meet my pain-in-the-ass cousin for lunch. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“See you soon. Bye, Winnie,” Lucy said.
“Thanks again.” Winnie waved before following me to my truck as I pulled the door open.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice quiet again.
I pushed the door closed and made my way to the driver’s side. Once I was in and buckled up, I glanced over at her. “Where’d you leave the car?”
She directed me to River Bend Drive, where I saw the Mustang parked on the side of the road up ahead. The rain had finally stopped, and I pulled up in front of her car, so our engines were facing one another.
It surprised me when she got out of the truck at the same time I did, and we both met between the vehicles, holding our own jumper cables.
“I’m impressed. You carry a set with you?”
“I do. I told you that I’m more than capable of handling different situations.” She chuckled as she moved forward and popped her hood, and I did the same. She started attaching the wires, which again caught me off guard.
She not only carries them but also knows how to use them.
I must not have hidden my surprise very well, because after she’d connected the wires to my car, the corners of her lips turned up when she looked at me.
“You don’t think a woman knows how to jump a car?”
“No. Of course I do. I guess I just didn’t expect you to do it so confidently.” I laughed. “Maybe it’s the bow in your hair and the all-white angelic outfit that’s throwing me off.”
She rolled her eyes. “Hey, this was my good luck interview outfit before I destroyed it by falling down. And get used to the bows… They’re a staple for me. They give a little something, don’t you think?”
I shook my head and tried to hide my smile as I jumped in my truck and started it up. I got out, and we both stood there staring at the jumper cables as if we could will them to work.
“My dad owns a mechanic shop, so I grew up around cars.”
“That explains the vintage Mustang,” I said as I moved to walk around her car. I whistled. “She’s a beaut.”
“Right? I saved up for years for this car. Unfortunately, she’s seen better days as far as reliability goes. But she’s easy on the eyes.”
She wasn’t the only one.
Get your mind out of the gutter, asshole. She’s far too young for you, and she just interviewed to be your daughter’s nanny, for fuck’s sake.
“We’ll get her up and running, and then my cousin offered you one of his cars to use while you’re driving Melody.”
She nodded. “What’s Melody like?”
“She’s the best. Sweet and strong all at the same time.
She’s got a huge heart, feels everything.
She’s creative and loves to paint and draw.
She sings and dances and enjoys playing outside.
She’s taking riding lessons from my brother’s girlfriend, and she’s obsessed with horses.
She loves big, and she’s very tenderhearted, which always worries me,” I said, wondering if I’d overshared.
“I think she sounds amazing. I can’t wait to meet her. My aunt and uncle adore her.” She moved to the side of her car before climbing inside and starting it up.
It roared to life, and I removed the cables from both of our vehicles before handing them to her.
“How about you meet me at my house after I pick Melody up from school. You can meet Melody, take a look at the casita, and we’ll go from there.”
“Great. Text me your address. And I’ll have time to get cleaned up.” She smiled up at me.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I think this is going to be a great fit, Archer.” She slid the seat belt across her body, and I nodded.
“I hope so. See you soon.”
As I climbed into my truck, I glanced in my rearview mirror, getting one more glimpse of her before she drove past me and waved.
She’d impressed the hell out of me.
She was more than qualified, and we both knew it.
But now there was a bigger issue I was concerned about.
How the hell would I survive having this gorgeous woman living in my house?