9. Chapter Nine
It’s finally Saturday, which means I made it through the workweek. Although it was a little touch and go there for a minute, I also survived my first week with Kelsey as Evie’s nanny. I think that’s honestly more miraculous than the fact that I escaped this week unscathed from any children throwing up during their appointments. Trust me, that’s a major feat in flu season.
“Are you ready for our day of fun?”
Evie bounces excitedly in front of me. “Yes! Will you please tell me what we’re doing?”
I told her all week that I was planning a surprise day for her on Saturday so she had something to look forward to. Since Tess typically works from home, Evie is used to being around her family whenever she’s not at school or dance. I feel awful that I only see her for dinner, a quick game or show, and bath time before she goes to bed. So, I’ve been talking up our first full day together all week.
Although she hasn’t said as much to me, I’ve heard her crying softly a few nights. Nothing will ever be the same as her mom tucking her in. Three months is a long time to be apart from her, and even though we’re only a week in, I can tell Evie’s missing her mom.
Heck, I even miss my sister. We usually talk a few times a week and see each other every Sunday for family dinners. Since she dropped Evie off, I’ve only gotten a handful of texts checking in to make sure Evie’s all right and voice messages for her daughter saying goodnight and that she loves her.
It’s six hours later where Tess is, so it’s hard to catch her since she’s already asleep by the time I get home from work. But we have a video call date set with her this morning to start off our day of fun.
“I think you’ll be very excited about the first surprise of the day.” I pull out my laptop and set it on the kitchen table, gesturing for Evie to take the seat next to me. I hit the video call button next to my sister’s name on the app and, after a few moments, Tess’s smiling face pops up on the screen. She’s tanner than usual, but aside from that, she still looks like my sister.
“Mama!” Evie’s smile is wide but quickly turns into a chin-quivering frown. “I miss you.”
“Oh, I miss you too, baby girl.”
I can tell my sister is putting on a brave face but will likely blubber like a baby after we get off this call. It’s hard to imagine how much I’d miss Evie if I didn’t see her for three months. I can’t imagine being apart from your own child for that long.
Tess puts on a smile I can tell is forced. “Are you having fun with Uncle Ty?”
“We’re going to have a day of fun, but he won’t tell me what we’re doing.” She pouts.
“That’s the fun of surprises, sweet girl.” Her smile turns genuine. “What did you do this week?”
“I had school and got to play and cook with Ms. Kelsey. I went on a walk with her and Winston and Uncle Ty, too.” She looks down thoughtfully before facing the camera again with a wide smile. “Oh, I went to dance! Ms. Ava let me audition for a solo in our fall performance even though I missed a few classes.”
Tess lifts her brows, and I know she’s looking directly at me. “We’ll come back to the whole Ms. Kelsey point.” Her grin returns. “But first, I want to know about school. Are you doing all your homework?”
Evie nods. “Ms. Kelsey makes sure I do it every day and checks my work for me. She said you’d be proud of my A’s. I can write the whole alphabet now too.”
“That’s my smart girl. And you’re back in dance?”
“Dance is so much fun.” Evie twirls the ends of her hair. “Are you mad that I have lessons again? Uncle Ty said he didn’t mind taking me.”
“I’m not mad. I know how much you love to dance. That’s very nice of Uncle Ty to take you.”
“Ms. Kelsey will take me most of the time. Ms. Mallory took me one day, but Uncle Ty picked me up.”
After a few more minutes of them catching up, Evie proclaims she has to use the restroom and sprints away.
I feel my sister’s attention hone in on me, and I rub the back of my neck. “How’s the medical center coming along?”
“Oh no, you don’t. You’re not getting off that easy, brother.” She gives me what I can only describe as an older sister look. It’s similar to the look your mom gives you when she walks into the kitchen and catches you with your hand in the cookie jar. “We’re not anywhere close to done talking about whoever Kelsey and Mallory are. Has my dear brother finally been going on dates?”
I huff out a laugh. “Kelsey is Evie’s new nanny. I told you about her—she picks Evie up from school, watches her until I get home from work, and occasionally takes her to dance lessons.”
“Where did you meet her?”
“She’s my next-door neighbor. She has three roommates, including Mallory.”
“Oh, I love that trope!” she exclaims. I have no clue what that means, but I don’t think I want to ask. “And are you spending time with Kelsey outside of her nanny hours?”
I grimace. “Definitely not.”
“Oh, so she’s out of your league then?”
“What?” My head rears back. “She’s—” I don’t know how to finish that sentence. Objectively speaking, Kelsey is beautiful. I would be lying if I said otherwise. Her hair is the color of warm caramel, and her hazel eyes take on a different shade depending upon whatever color her outfit is.
“She must be gorgeous to make you speechless.” She interrupts my thoughts of Kelsey, which is probably for the best. Only now, I don’t know how to respond to Tess without getting her hopes up that she has a new sister-in-law on the horizon.
I decide silence is the best route. My sister opens her mouth to speak again when Evie returns to the table. She smiles widely at her mom on the screen and proclaims, “I pooped.”
Tess laughs. “Good job, Evie girl.” She glances at her watch and frowns. “My lunch break is almost up, so I need to get going. I’m proud of how well you’re doing in school, and I can’t wait to find out if you get a solo in dance. Have fun with Uncle Ty today.”
“I will. Love you, Mama. Are you having fun in Africa?”
“I am. You’re sweet as sugar for asking.” Tess discreetly wipes away a tear. “I love you more.”
“I love you most.”
I nudge my niece’s arm. “Why don’t you go get your shoes on.”
“Okay, bye, Mama.”
“I’ll talk to you soon.” The second Evie is out of the frame, tears stream down my sister’s face.
My protective instincts kick in, making me wish I could reach through the screen and hug her. Do something—anything—to ease her pain. My sister has already gone through so much.
“She’s doing fine, Tess. Really.” I smile warmly, hoping my positivity will transfer through the screen and fill her too.
“I know. I just miss her so much it hurts, and we’re not even a full week in.” Tess lets her face fall into her hands.
Seeing her so distraught breaks my heart. I’ll make it my mission to ensure she never has to leave Evie again. If I have to travel with Tess back to Africa to watch Evie, I’ll take a sabbatical at work. I just can’t bear to see her upset like this. She shouldn’t have to deal with any of this alone. Julian, Evie’s father and Tess’s ex-husband, should be there taking care of them and providing for their needs.
I glance at Evie as she pulls on her light-up shoes. I’ll never understand how that man gave up his parental rights like it was nothing and left my kind, caring sister for some woman who was barely twenty and only wanted him for his bank account.
“Please don’t tell me you’re thinking about punching Julian again.”
My brows furrow. “How did you—”
“Your eyes take on this primal look whenever you think about him.”
I blow out an exasperated breath. “How could I not after what he did to you?”
She sighs. “I’ve let it go, Tyler. Holding on to resentment and anger only would’ve hurt me. You need to let it go too.”
“I can’t make any promises.” I run a hand through my hair. “Are you really okay out there? You look tired.”
“The three words every woman wants to hear.” She laughs. “I am tired, but it also feels like this is what I was created to do.”
“You’ve always had a heart for helping others.”
Tess’s brow quirks. “Speaking of helping others…you should let me help you figure out what to say to get Kelsey to agree to go on a date with you. I’m sure she must find you obnoxious, especially since you’re her neighbor. You have a lot of work to do, and I—”
I roll my eyes. “Bye, Tess.”
Her laughter sounds like pure joy, and I’m happy she’s leaving this conversation feeling a little lighter. “Love you, bye.”
The call clicks off, and I meet Evie by the front door.
“ Now can I know what we’re doing?” she asks, tapping her foot impatiently.
“We’re going to go for a hike and stop at the grilled cheese restaurant you love on the way home.” I grab my backpack filled with the essentials like a first aid kit, snacks, and water, and we walk out the front door.
She pumps her fist in the air. “Yes! Can we go now?”
“Of course.” I laugh.
“Can we get ice cream too?” she asks while I lock the front door behind us.
“We’ll see.” But I know I’d never be able to deny her the sweet treat. I try to take care of my body and be conscientious of what I put in it, but ice cream is a guilty pleasure.
I turn to walk to the car, and Evie is nowhere in sight. Frantically spinning around, I spot her over on Kelsey’s front porch. Splendid .
I slowly walk toward them and overhear their conversation.
“I’m taking Winston on a hike,” Kelsey explains as she clips on the dog’s leash.
Evie gasps. “That’s what Uncle Ty said we’re doing.”
Kelsey’s gaze skirts to me, and the eye contact brings me back to the dance studio. I’m pulled back into the moment her hands are in my hair. Her body pressed up against mine.
I shove my hands in my jeans pockets and avert my gaze, needing to get a grip on my errant thoughts. “Since it rained earlier this week, I thought I’d take her to Hemlock Cliffs to see the waterfalls.”
Kelsey lets out a breathy laugh. “That’s where I’m going.”
Evie wraps her arms around Winston’s neck, hugging him close. “Ms. Kelsey and Winston should ride with us.” She turns to Kelsey with an enthusiastic grin. “Uncle Ty said we could get grilled cheese after. You should come.”
“I’m sure Ms. Kelsey has other plans today,” I say, looking back at her, hoping she’ll play along and give my niece some reason—any reason—that she can’t spend the day with us.
She shrugs. “I actually don’t have anything on my agenda besides having fun.”
Evie jumps up and wraps her arms around Kelsey’s legs. “We’re having a day of fun! That means you have to come.”
Kelsey bends and returns Evie’s embrace. “I’m not sure. I’ve had a long work week.”
Evie’s chin trembles. “Please come. It won’t be the same without you.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
She shrugs. “You’re great and all, but I miss Mama.” Evie sniffles, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “It’s nice having another girl around, even if it’s not the same.”
Kelsey blows out a low breath. I mean, who could say no when this sweet girl puts it like that? Before any of my niece’s tears can fall, Kelsey smooths her hands over Evie’s hair. “I’ll come if it means that much to you.” She peers up at me, a question in her eyes. “As long as it’s okay with Dr. Grey.”
Evie wrinkles her nose. “Who’s Dr. Grey?”
“She’s the main doctor in a show called Grey’s Anatomy ,” Kelsey explains.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, so I’m a girl now?”
“If the shoe fits.”
I motion to my gray tennis shoes. “I mean they are gray, but they’re also a size thirteen. I’d be astounded if you can find a woman who would fit in these.”
“Thirteen?” Kelsey croaks.
“Mm-hmm.” I head toward the car with the girls and Winston following behind. I make sure Evie gets buckled in okay, but once I close her door, I turn to Kelsey with a smirk. “You know what they say about big feet?”
Red blossoms across her cheeks, and my smirk grows at the fact that I’m the reason she’s flustered.
“What?” she says apprehensively.
“It means I’ve got long legs. So, do your best to keep up on the trail.”
Kelsey shakes her head. Her brown curls fall in front of her face and hide her blush. She opens the back door on the passenger side and lets Winston jump in. He quickly lays down beside Evie, resting his head in her lap.
When we’re both in the car, she whispers, “It’s nothing I haven’t worked with before.”
“What?” I sputter.
“Great Danes.” She crosses her arms. “They have the longest legs I’ve ever seen on a dog, and I keep up just fine.”
“Those dogs are huge ,” Evie says from the backseat with wide eyes. “I saw one with Mama that was even taller than me.”
“Wow, that sure is big.” I pull onto the road and try to keep a straight face. Kelsey laughs quietly in the passenger seat.
Evie lifts her hands like she’s on a rollercoaster. “To the waterfalls we go!”