5. Garrett #2
If the swab test results are negative, but Athena wants to still argue I’m Peony’s father, I’ll have to go through the hassle of getting blood work done. But for now, the swab test is enough.
I order the test online. The kit will arrive in a few days. It will take up to a week to get the results.
Next, I call one of the hotels in town. “Hi, I need a room for an adult and toddler for…” What—a week? Until I get the results? Or two weeks, so if Peony is my daughter, I have time to get her bedroom ready?
In the meantime, am I banishing Athena and Peony to a hotel room and letting them fend for themselves? That would be the simplest thing to do with my looming deadline.
Shit. I spend long hours on the computer when writing—especially when I have a fast-approaching deadline.
So how exactly will this work? Kenda urged me to keep Athena on as Peony’s nanny.
Did she mean as a live-in nanny, or would Athena rather live somewhere else and show up during regular work hours?
“Hello?” a female on the other end of the line asks. “Are you still there?”
“Sorry. I need the room for three nights. But I might need to extend it.” Three days should give Kellan enough time to see if Athena has a police record or any outstanding warrants.
“Will you need a crib or a cot?”
“A crib.” I give the woman the necessary information and my credit card number. She confirms the room will be ready in an hour.
With those two essential to-do items checked off, I rejoin Peony and Athena in the living room.
The container of kuku paka still sits on the island counter that separates the living room from the kitchen. My taste buds beg for a mouthful of the spicy food, a lick of the spoon.
“I’ve booked a hotel room for three nights for you and Peony. I can drive you there after lunch.” I remove an open jar of Alfredo sauce and a block of white cheddar from the fridge. “Does Peony like macaroni and cheese?”
“Yes. It’s one of her favorite dishes.”
“I’m not big on cooking,” I warn Athena. Usually I just whip up something quick for myself or grab food from Picnic & Treats. “This will probably be nothing like the mac and cheese she eats.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Athena winces as if not believing her own words. “And I can cook. Nothing fancy, ’cause I’ll be taking care of Peony. I mean, assuming you keep me on as her nanny.”
I take in the way Peony is clutching her panda and clinging to Athena, wide, frightened eyes trailing my every move.
“Once I have the paternity results, I’ll draw up an employee contract for you.
” After everything Peony has been through, it doesn’t make sense to take away the one person who knows her best. Plus, I don’t have time to interview for a new nanny.
I need to focus on my manuscript. Fortunately, I’m currently in the right place to handle the expense of a nanny.
I’ve made some smart investments over the past few years.
For now, I’m in a good financial position to hire someone to look after a kid of mine.
That might change if I don’t get the book finished in time.
I pull out a bag of macaroni from the pantry. “Do you want to work as a live-in nanny? Or will you be looking for somewhere else to stay?”
“Live-in nanny.”
Thank Christ for that. I’m not ready to be thrown headfirst into being a single parent without a safety net. Especially not with a child I’ve known less than an hour and who looks like she’s on the verge of a panic attack every time I get close to her.
“What does the paternity test involve?” Athena asks, carrying Peony into the kitchen.
I explain the process and how things will go for the next few days. “You and Peony showing up on my doorstep couldn’t have come at a worse time. I have a book deadline coming up soon.”
Athena rolls her eyes. “Zeus on a cracker. Too bad the shooter wasn’t more considerate.”
I huff out a humorless laugh. “Yeah—in so many ways. So how did you get here? To Maple Ridge. ”
“We took a bus. Several buses. There’s no direct bus here from Greensboro.”
“You traveled all that way with a toddler?” That couldn’t have been easy.
“She slept most of the trip. The vibration of the bus kept lulling her to sleep.” She kisses Peony on the cheek. “Isn’t that right, baby girl?”
“Where’s the rest of your stuff?” I point to the oversized bag next to the couch.
“Er, that’s all we have. We-we were living in an apartment, but-but there was a fire.
We weren’t in the building at the time. Thank all the kittens in the world for that.
” She makes a comical wide-eyed expression.
“But we lost everything. That’s why we were at the mall. To replace some of our things.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.” I wish I had known sooner—like right after it happened. Kenda deserved a lot better than the shitstorm she found herself in. Peony deserves better.
Athena shrugs, her sigh long and hard. “Guess the Fates were bored and decided to spice things up a little.”
“The Fates?”
“The three old crones in Greek mythology who decide one’s future.”
I pour the dry macaroni into the boiling water. “I take it you enjoy Greek mythology. Because of your name?”
“That might have something to do with it. Er…can I use your washroom? Her diaper needs changing.”
“Sure, go ahead. It’s the second door on the right.” I point in the direction of the closest bathroom, thankful I’m not being thrown into the deep end and expected to change Peony’s diaper.
I’m as knowledgeable on that topic as I am when it comes to cooking.
Shit, is Peony really my daughter?