Chapter 4
four
. . .
Winnie
When I pulled up to his house, I took a moment to take it in. It was stunning. The single-story ranch-style home sat on a corner lot, right on the river, with the perfect mix of water and mountain views.
The front yard was massive, with plush green grass and large trees. A paved walkway led to the front door of the house, which was a mix of stone and siding.
The air was cool when I stepped out of the car, but coming from Chicago, I was used to cold weather.
And it was only fall, so I knew the winters here would get much colder than it was right now.
I made my way to the front door, and just as my knuckles were about to knock against the dark wood door, it swung open.
“Hi, Winnie. I’m Melody,” the little girl said, and I couldn’t help but smile at the cutest little thing standing in front of me. Large dark eyes flanked with the longest black lashes, and two little brown buns on the top of her head, along with the sweetest smile on her face.
I bent down to get eye level with her. “Hi, Melody, it’s so nice to meet you.”
She threw herself into my arms. “I think we’re going to be besties for sure.”
I chuckled as a deep voice startled us both. “What did I tell you about opening the door when I’m not with you?”
I pushed to stand as Archer scooped her up.
“But it’s Winnie, Daddy. She’s my new nanny, and I can open the door for my best friend, right?”
He blew out a frustrated breath. “Like I said. She loves big.”
“I can see that.”
“Come on in,” he said as I followed him through the gorgeous home.
It wasn’t what I’d expected. He was a single guy, so I figured it would be less—homey.
But this place looked like it could be straight out of an interior design magazine.
Wide-planked wood floors ran throughout the space, its walls a warm mix of taupe and gray.
We stepped into the massive kitchen, and I gasped.
I was a woman who enjoyed cooking, and this kitchen was an absolute chef’s dream.
The cabinets were white oak with a large black island in the center, and white stone counters covered every surface.
The appliances were top of the line, and it smelled heavenly in here.
I turned slowly as I took in the wall of windows and French doors along the back of the house.
The river flowed in the distance, looking like an actual painting.
“Wow. The river view with the mountains in the back is breathtaking.”
“Yeppers. Daddy built this place for me and him to grows up in, right, Daddy?” Melody beamed up at her father like the man set the sun.
I knew the look.
It was the way I looked at my father.
He chuckled. “I purchased the land before Melody was even born. I knew it would be a good spot to build on. We finished construction before she even started walking. She took her first steps right here in this kitchen, probably trying to sneak a cookie.”
Her head tipped back in a full-bodied laugh as he set her back down on her feet. “I do love my cookies, right, Daddy?”
“You sure do, angel face.”
These two were something. It was clear that they adored one another.
“Let’s show Winnie the casita and see if she thinks it will work for her,” Archer said as he motioned for me to follow.
Walking behind him gave me the perfect opportunity to take him in.
He was wearing a black sweater tonight, with dark jeans.
He was tall, and the man just had this presence about him.
“Winnie, you’re very pretty. And I love the bow in your hair. I like bows, too.” Melody slipped her hand into mine as we walked to the far side of the house.
She was a little bundle of sweetness, and I knew watching over her would be great fun.
“Thank you. I’ve always loved bows.” I chuckled just as Archer pushed the door open, and my eyes widened.
“Did you decorate this place?” I asked as I stepped inside the cutest room I’d ever seen.
Wood flooring, with big windows looking out at the river.
Cotton-white roman shades decorated the windows.
We moved to the bathroom, which was equally spectacular.
Small but very quaint, with the cutest claw-foot tub with antique gold feet and a little chandelier hanging above it.
I couldn’t get over how adorable it was.
“No. When I built the place, my mom helped me pick all the finishes in the main house. My cousin Bridger’s girlfriend, Emilia, is an interior designer, and she just did a refresh on the casita for me last month. So, I’ve had a lot of help.”
“Well, it’s stunning. This will definitely work.” I immediately thought about what a beautiful space this would be to write in. I could sit out on the patio looking at the river. It didn’t get any better.
“Obviously you’ll have full access to the kitchen any time you need it, since there’s a door attached to the house.
But you also have your own entrance to come and go as you please when you don’t want to use the interior door.
” He shoved his hands in his pockets, and I noted the two doors. It was a nice touch.
Melody clapped her hands together. “Can Winnie eat dinner with us tonight, Daddy?”
His green gaze locked with mine, and I tried to place the color. They were this deep emerald green with pops of caramel and gold. “I made some chili and cornbread, if you’d like to stay for dinner?”
“I’d love that. I knew it smelled good when I walked in,” I said with a laugh.
We spent the next two hours eating and chatting, and were now enjoying dessert.
Melody told me all about her teacher and her classmates.
She was adorable. She had this infectious laugh and sweet disposition.
She talked about all of her uncles and aunts and asked repeatedly if I could come to Paris with them.
I was surprised when Archer’s cousin had extended the invitation as well, since I didn’t know that traveling to Paris would come with the job.
I’d certainly never turn that down. It was one of my favorite places in the world.
“Do you have a boyfriend, Winnie?” Melody asked as she scooped a bite of apple pie into her mouth.
“Melody, that’s not something you need to be asking,” Archer said.
“How come? Tommy says I’m his girlfriend.”
“You’re far too young to be anyone’s girlfriend,” Archer grumped.
I chuckled. “Well, Tommy has great taste.”
“Don’t encourage this.” He shook his head and laughed.
“It’s innocent. She’s five.”
“He’s really just my good friend, but he likes to call me his special girlfriend.”
“I’ve got my eye on that kid,” he said as the corners of his lips turned up in a mischievous smile.
“You don’t gots a boyfriend?” she asked me again, and Archer shot her a look that only made her head tip back in a fit of giggles.
“I do not. I went through a breakup a while ago, and I like being single,” I said, trying not to give her all the gory details.
By “breakup,” I meant “divorce.”
I’d married my high school sweetheart when I was far too young.
We completely outgrew one another.
And he hadn’t taken the divorce well, so I’d basically left with my car, my clothes, and my dignity.
He’d kept our apartment and all the furniture, and he’d managed to spend the advance checks from my publisher for the first two books I’d released shortly after they’d hit our account.
But I was free now, and I could rebuild both my bank account and my life.
“Daddy likes being single, too. He doesn’t go on no dates,” she said as ice cream dribbled down her chin. I instinctually reached for my napkin and wiped it away, just as Archer did the same thing.
My gaze caught his, and he smiled.
And holy hotness, when Archer Chadwick smiled at me—my entire body reacted.
When was the last time my body had reacted to anyone?
Years, maybe?
“Doesn’t go on any dates,” he said. The way he corrected her was gentle and sweet.
“Right.” Melody’s head fell back with a laugh. “That’s what I said, Daddy.”
“And that’s not completely true. I’ve been on plenty of dates. Plus, I’ve got my favorite girl right here. I don’t need anyone else.” He winked at his daughter.
“That’s ’cause I’ve gots the best daddy around,” Melody said as her father got up and cleared our dessert plates from the table.
I’d already attempted to do the dishes after dinner, but I’d been turned down.
He’d made a joke about me not being on the clock tonight. “Do you gots a good daddy, Winnie?”
“I have an amazing father. He’s my favorite person in the world,” I said without hesitation.
“Do you gots a good mama, too?”
I noted the way Archer’s shoulders tensed at the question from where he stood at the sink. So maybe I was staring a little—the man was very captivating in that quiet, understated sort of way.
“I don’t really know my mom. She left when I was five,” I answered honestly.
I figured honesty was an important part of being a nanny, right?
And I was a straight shooter, so I’d tell her the truth.
I didn’t know their situation, as my aunt and uncle hadn’t mentioned Melody’s mother, only that he was raising her on his own.
I wondered if I’d be interacting with her on weekends or just occasionally.
Melody gasped, and her hands came over her mouth. Maybe I’d been too forthcoming.
Was there a rule to how you shared your own abandonment?
“Daddy. Winnie doesn’t know her mama, either,” she whispered, as if we were sharing something sinister.
Archer dried his hands with a towel and came back to the table. He didn’t take his seat; instead he bent down and faced his daughter, taking his hands in hers. The act was so sweet, it made my heart ache.
“I heard that. And you remember what we’ve talked about. That it doesn’t matter how many parents you have, just that you’re surrounded by love, right?” The concern in his voice was impossible to miss.
“Justine Schwartz said that it does matter if you don’t have a mama,” she said, eyes wide as she looked up at her father. “She said it means that I’m not special like her. ’Cause she gots two parents that love her.”
I noted the way his jaw tensed, and the way the vein strained against his neck, but he kept his features calm and cool. “Justine is a child. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about, so I would not listen to that nonsense, okay?”
“Well, my best friend Winnie is very special, and she only has a daddy like me.”
Kids could be cruel. I’d lived it. I’d survived my fair share of comments and questions about only having a dad attend every school event over the years.
“You know what I’ve learned?” I said, surprised that I was injecting myself into this father-daughter moment, as that usually wasn’t my style. But she’d mentioned me, and I had experience with this.
“What did you learn, Winnie?” Melody turned and smiled at me, eyebrows cinched together with curiosity.
“I learned that having a rock star dad was the best thing ever. My dad and I talk about everything. We’ve always been close, just like you and your daddy. And some people don’t have that with either of their parents. So we’re lucky to have someone who loves us that big, you know?”
She nodded, flashing me her little white teeth. “We’re lucky, Winnie. And now I’m lucky that you’re going to live with us.”
“I feel like the lucky one.” I shrugged as I stood up. “I should probably get going.”
Melody jumped up and gave me a hug, and Archer told her to go get her jammies out and he’d meet her in the bathroom for bath time.
He walked me to the door.
“Sorry, that got a little heavy,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “She’s never talked like that before.”
“That’s all right. I want her to feel comfortable with me. So I’m guessing we’re giving this a shot, right?” I said with a laugh. “Or is this still going to be a trial basis?”
“Yeah. Let’s do it. Are you comfortable with the living conditions?” he asked before quickly adding, “That interior door to the house locks, so you’ll have complete privacy.”
“I’m not worried about you sneaking into my room in the middle of the night, Archer,” I teased, but I realized that it probably sounded flirty. “Oh my gosh. That’s not what I meant.”
He chuckled. “It’s fine. There will be no sneaking into anyone’s room, I assure you.”
Ugh. I’d just made this so awkward.
“Of course. So when should I plan on moving in and starting?”
“The sooner the better for me, so whatever works for you.”
“Okay. How about I start immediately. What time do you take Melody to school?”
“Eight a.m.”
“I’ll be here at seven a.m. tomorrow and observe your morning routine, and go with you to take her to school so I can get the hang of everything. I can get my things moved into the casita while she’s at school.”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
“Sure. See you tomorrow. Thanks for dinner,” I said.
He nodded. “See you tomorrow.”
I walked to my car and slipped inside, noting that he was still standing at the door, as if he was waiting to make sure my car started. Or maybe I was making that up in my head, and he was just staring at the moon or something more exciting.
I blew out a breath and pulled out of the driveway, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
Because this was a fresh start.
And I was ready for it.