Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
GRACIE
I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.
"Boo-wee, boo-wee!" the rebellious little pipsqueak chants as I click the off button on the TV remote.
"No more Bluey . You've watched enough."
I might not know the first thing about being a nanny, but even I know sitting in front of the TV for an hour straight isn't good for anyone. No matter how occupied it keeps Everly, she can't do it all day. That would be a sure way to get fired.
"Boo-wee!" Everly screams.
"How about blocks?" I dump the colorful blocks on the living room floor and start to build a simple house.
"Boo-wee," the little demon screeches.
"Blocks," I respond with more patience than I ever thought possible.
"No." Everly pounds her little fists on the couch.
"Dollhouse?" I move across the living room to where it's set up in the corner.
"Boo-wee."
This continues for an hour. Me suggesting and emptying almost every toy bin in the living room while the spawn screams at me. I’m starting to question my sanity, when Everly changes things up.
"Snack."
Now that's something I can get behind. "Snack time it is."
I scoop Everly up and sidestep the mess I made on the living room floor. I'll have to clean it up before Ang comes home, but that's a problem for after I've put something in both our bellies.
Snack time proves to be a thousand times easier. At least as far as choices go. I can't say the same for the mess. Now I understand why Ang wore spaghetti the first time I met him.
Strawberries are smooshed on the table and all over Everly's face and hands. I think she got more of a kick out of smashing them with her fist than actually eating them. Half of the blueberries litter the floor, and crumbles from the Nilla Wafers are everywhere.
I let out a sigh and know there's no way we will be having lunch here today. I'm not sure I have it in me to clean up any more messes.
I cave and let Everly watch her Bluey while I clean both the living room and kitchen.
Halfway through my task, Ang texts. I explain that we will be having lunch elsewhere—but not why—and when he suggests joining us, I can't help but worry it's because he thinks I can't handle being a nanny.
A small part of me agrees with him. I'm only into the morning of day one and already want to take a nap.
I don't know how stay-at-home mothers do this.
And with more than one child no less. I'm doing it with one kid and know I'm in way over my head.
When the house once again looks presentable, I flop down on the couch and watch the ridiculous children's show Everly is so obsessed with. I can't figure out how anyone could watch this nonsense, and yet, somehow, when I look at the clock again, an hour has gone by.
"Geesh. No wonder you didn't want to turn it off. This show is addicting." I shake my head and reach for the remote. "It's time to meet Daddy for lunch."
Everly hops off the couch with much more excitement than I've seen from her all day. "Yay, Daddy. Daddy!"
She runs straight for the front entryway and plops down on the floor. By the time I get over to where she is, Everly is standing back up and proudly showing me she got her shoes on by herself. "I ready. I got shoes on." She bounces back and forth which reminds me …
"Do you need to go potty before we leave?"
I learned a lot from Ang before he finally left hours ago. Including that Everly is currently potty training, and if I don't ask her before we leave, the chance of an accident on the way is inevitable. And knowing my luck, that’s a chance I’m not willing to take.
"No potty." The adorably stubborn child stomps her foot.
"Yes potty, then Daddy."
Did I really just say that? I'm even starting to sound like the little girl with her short demands.
Shaking my head, I take Everly's hand and lead her straight to the bathroom. Thankfully she doesn't give me too hard of a time, and I know I made the right decision when she pees.
A lot.
The very second her bottom hits the seat.
The little lady has certainly been holding it a while.
"Alright. Time for lunch with Daddy."
I slip my shoes on and lead Everly out to my car.
Ang expertly installed her car seat before leaving this morning.
He didn't know we would be going anywhere, but like the good Boy Scout I'm sure he was, he put it in my car just in case.
I'm thankful now for his forethought. Being cooped up in the house all day would be torture.
The drive to the diner is quick. No matter where I go in a town this small, it is. I could get away with getting rid of my car and walking everywhere. And I just might to save money.
"Looks like Daddy beat us here."
"Daddy! Bee! Daddy! Bee!" Everly continues to chant the two names as I unbuckle her and we walk hand in hand inside the diner.
As soon as Everly sees her father, she drops my hand and dashes across the crowded space, expertly weaving between tables. Ang wastes no time picking her up and spinning her around.
My ovaries explode, right there in the doorway, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I mean Ang is handsome. I would jump his bones in a heartbeat. But to be attracted to the fact that he's a fabulous father?
Yeah, I'm not sure about what that means.
I’m following the path Everly took when a woman I can only assume is the owner, Bee, hollers, "Everly bug. I've missed you."
"Bee Bee!" the little girl screams at the top of her lungs, causing everyone in the place to chuckle.
I'm happy to see no one minds Everly's pure enjoyment, because if anyone tried to kill her joy, I’d have to knock them out.
I stop in my tracks. Where the fuck did that thought come from?
"Gracie?" Ang's befuddled tone pulls me from my wayward thought.
"Yes?" I croak.
"Everything okay? You look like something or someone spooked you."
Something spooked me alright. One day with this family and already I'm having crazy thoughts. Not to mention I haven't even met his other two daughters yet. How am I going to feel once I spend time with all four of them?
I realize it's been too long since I've answered when Ang gives me a strange look. "Sorry, I got sidetracked. And yes, everything's good."
Ang doesn't look like he believes me, but he doesn't say anything.
We all take a seat at the metal table. My chair is covered in lime-green vinyl, while Ang's is wooden.
Bee brings over a booster seat for Everly.
I expect the sassy little thing to refuse to sit in it since at home she barely sat still, but apparently Bee has special powers that I need to ask her about.
"Well, isn't this cozy." Bee doesn't bother to be discreet or quiet when she talks. "Such a cute little family."
"Bee." Ang tries to warn the older woman, but she continues talking right over him.
"It's about time those girls have a woman in their life. Something more permanent than the babysitters you've been using. I've always said they were nothing but fickle youngins who didn't deserve your time."
Ang turns to me and starts to explain as I pop an eyebrow at him. "I've never dated any of the babysitters. Bee here is just looking to cause trouble."
"And it's a good thing, too. None of them deserve you. Now this lady here? She's different. She's special. I can tell just by looking at her."
My face suddenly feels hot and I imagine it's as red as the plastic chair at the next table.
"Ah . . . thank you?" Yes, it comes out like a question.
Because, really, I can't tell if I should be honored or mortified that the owner of this fine establishment is trying to set me up the first time I meet her.
"Grams!" A younger version of the older woman joins the table and barks at the owner. "You can't just say whatever pops into your head. One of these days someone isn't going to like it and you're going to be in trouble."
"Oh, pssh." Bee waves the young woman off. "Everyone in town is used to my ways by now."
I'm tempted to remind her that I'm not from here, and I'm certainly not used to her or her mouth, but I keep mine shut. I doubt it's smart to get on this woman's bad side.
"Grams, did you even introduce yourself to the woman before you started harassing her?"
Bee doesn't look the least bit concerned when she shakes her head no. "Why would I have to introduce myself? Everyone knows who I am, and I already know who she is. Gracie Baker. Youngest sister to Owen, and Ang's new tenant."
I roll my eyes heavenward. Wow. Talk about no privacy. I mean, it’s not like I wasn’t given a heads-up. Annalee warned me. Heck, my brother warned me. But for some reason, I thought they were exaggerating. Clearly that isn't the case.
"Oh, and Daisy was right. She does wear some fun shirts," Bee adds.
Who the hell is Daisy and why is she talking about my shirts? What kind of town did I move to?
"Umm . . . hi." I feel the need to say something so maybe these two can stop talking about me like I'm not here.
"Hey, darlin'. We're so glad you're here and living with Ang. The man needs all the help he can get with those girls."
Okay, so it’s not just me Bee likes to talk about like they aren't here.
"Bee," Ang groans in exasperation.
"Oh, hush, you. I saw the way you were looking at her yesterday, so don't even bother to deny it."
My head whips in Ang's direction. Looking at me, huh? Now my curiosity is piqued, so of course I have to ask. "And just how exactly were you looking at me? And when? Should I be worried?" I tease.
The tables have turned and I must say I like the new direction.