Chapter Fifteen
JAKE
G etting the girls to bed was a breeze since they were both exhausted from their night out. I tucked them in with kisses and hugs and headed downstairs, where I found Natalia seated in the turret room’s curved window seat, staring at the Christmas tree, spinning one of Ava’s fidget toys in her hand.
“So, tell me how it really went.” I took a seat, leaving some space between us.
“It actually went great. Ava and Piper did so good. I had to take them to the bathroom once and let Piper run around a little, but no big deal.”
“I’m glad. It can be a bit of a production taking them all places.”
“I find that kids behave better for me, or anyone other than their parents really.”
I laughed. “Ain’t that the truth. ”
“Nora was in heaven the whole time. It was wonderful to see.”
“I’m sorry things with you two haven’t gotten off to a very good start.”
“She hugged me.” Her smile reached her eyes.
“She did?”
She nodded. “And she called me her nanny.”
“That’s great news.” I could tell it meant a lot to her.
“Yeah. I think so too. She also mentioned more than once that she wished she could be up on that stage like Maleah.”
“I know. She’s been bugging me about dance classes for a while now.”
“You said it didn’t work with your schedule, but I bet if you had asked her friends’ parents, they would’ve helped. Maleah’s mom went out of her way to tell me how much they love Nora and that she’s welcome any time.”
“Yeah, they are nice people. I guess I don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of people’s kindness if they have to lug her around all the time.”
“Well, like I said, I’m here now, and I am more than happy to take her to dance class. I can check into the classes and times if you want.”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
“If this will help Nora, I’m all for it. I already feel like she’s warmed up to me because of the recital. And that’s what I want. For her to like me and trust me. I want her to be happy.”
“I appreciate that. You have no idea. These are the things Kate normally would’ve taken care of. It’s so nice for her to have a female presence in her life.”
“I hope she and I can connect a little more. ”
“I think you’re doing an amazing job with my girls so far.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
She gave me a shy smile.
“So, are you getting excited about the singles night?” I asked.
Her smile turned upside down, and her nose scrunched up.
“What?”
“Just the thought of it gives me an ulcer.” She spun the fidget toy over and over.
I chuckled. “It’s not that bad. Trust me.”
“You’ve gone to these before?”
“Well, no, but I’ve thought about it. And I’ll be right there. You won’t have to do it alone.”
The frown remained.
“Everyone at our church is nice and welcoming.”
“I’ve actually been to your church several times with Ellie, and I did feel very welcome.”
“See.”
“Doesn’t make me feel any better about doing this.”
“It’s going to be a relaxed night. Trust me. The whole purpose of this event is to bring single people together and let them socialize in a low-pressure, non-dating setting. That’s not to say people don’t meet and start dating, but it’s not a place to pick people up. It’s about making friends.”
“I have friends.”
I tilted my head at her. “It’s fun making new friends.”
“Maybe if you aren’t a bashful introvert. ”
“The key is to think about them as if you’ve known them forever, like an old friend, and get them to do the talking.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Ask them a question that gets them talking about themself. Their job is a good one to start with.”
“I hate small talk.”
“Small talk leads to getting to know someone. You have to start somewhere.”
“And say what? ‘Hi, I’m Tally. What do you do for a living?’ That’s totally awkward.”
“I mean, you don’t have to lead with that. You can ease into it.” I held my hand out to her. “Hi, I’m Jake.”
She stared at my hand.
“Come on. Play along.”
She sighed, then grabbed my hand and gave it a shake.
I kept her hand in mine. “And you are?”
“I’m Tally.”
“Nice to meet you, Tally. It’s a nice night for a Christmas party, isn’t it?”
She laughed and pulled her hand away. “What if it’s a blizzard outside?”
“Then you say, ‘It’s crazy weather tonight. How was your drive here?’”
“I can never think of anything to say. I just stand there like a deer in headlights. And what if people see us come in together? Are you going to introduce me as your nanny? Won’t that be weird, us going places together without your children?”
“Friends go places together. We’re friends, aren’t we? ”
“Are we?” She bit down on her bottom lip, which was very distracting.
I swallowed. “I’d like to think so.”
“Don’t you think it’s best if we don’t blur those lines between boss and employee?” She opened her mouth as if to say more but closed it again.
We stared at each other for several beats, and I wished I wasn’t thinking about blurring the lines right then and there.
“Bosses and employees can be friends.” I didn’t sound very convincing. But if I could help her find someone, it would definitely improve our working relationship.
“I guess so,” she said.
“The party will be painless. I assure you.”
“If you were inside my brain, you’d know that’s not true.”
We were quiet for several long moments. There wasn’t much else I could say to convince her she’d get through the party unscathed.
“I hope it’s alright that I let Nora go with Maleah’s family. I should’ve asked you first, but if you’d seen the look on Nora’s face when she asked me … I couldn’t refuse.”
I laughed. “Oh, I’ve seen that look many times. It’s not easy to say no to.”
“Should I have said no?”
I reached out and touched her hand, where it rested on her knee. “It’s fine. I trust your judgment.”
Her eyes darted up to mine, then down at my hand on hers.
She trembled beneath my touch, which made me move my thumb back and forth against her soft skin. Not sure if my intention was to calm her trembling or have the opposite effect on her, but I didn’t stop like I should have. A quick breath escaped her, and I caught her eye just as headlights passed over us.
She abruptly stood and headed for the back door. “Nora’s home. Good night.”
I let out a slow breath and mentally slapped myself. Clearly, the sooner we got going on this courtship coach thing, the better.
Maleah and her mom walked Nora to the door. We chitchatted for a few minutes, and I thanked them for everything before they left.
“How was the recital?” I could already tell what Nora would say by the blissful expression on her face.
“It was awesome! Amazing! Maleah looked so cool on stage. She danced to two different songs. Her costumes were so pretty, and she got to wear makeup and have her hair styled. It was awesome!”
“You said that,” I teased.
“Daddy, I really, really, really want to take dance. Please, please, please, can I?”
“Let’s talk about it tomorrow, okay? It’s time for bed.”
Her bottom lip stuck out. “Fine. But there’s no way I’ll ever be able to sleep again.” She was beaming with joy as she threw her arms around my waist. “Thank you for letting me go, Daddy. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I squeezed her tight, then spun her out like we’d been dancing, and she giggled as she headed up the stairs.
The minute Nora was out of sight, my eyes turned toward the back door, and I made a beeline for the guest house .
Natalia came to the door in Christmas pajamas—a top with “Fa la la” across the chest and candy cane patterned pants, which was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen.
“Nice PJs.”
Her cheeks turned rosy as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you need something?”
A long list of things popped into my mind, none of which I could say out loud.
When I didn’t speak right away, she chewed on her bottom lip, which was distracting.
“I think we should move up the dating lessons to tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened. “Tomorrow? But I was just wrapping my head around Friday.”
“Meet me at 5:00 a.m. And don’t forget your running shoes.”
“5:00 a.m.?”
“See you in the morning.” I headed back toward the house.
“Jake!” she whisper-yelled after me.
“Good night, Natalia,” I called over my shoulder.
“Jake!”
When I ignored her, she groaned and slammed the door.
I probably shouldn’t have been so bossy about it, but I needed this to happen. I had to get this girl out of my head and into someone else’s arms as quickly as possible.