Chapter Four #2
When I glance back, Linc is smiling after us.
He’s covered in flour, even has it in his dark hair, and there’s something in his eyes when they lock on mine.
Awareness. Heat. Maybe even… hunger? My belly clenches in desire.
He lifts his chin, telling me without words to go with Gracie, and I’m reminded that this is a job interview, even though my boss is only three feet tall.
So, I follow her through the house and up the stairs.
Her name is painted in gold with pink sparkles on the door. “Here it is,” Gracie says, throwing it open.
Inside is a white four-poster bed, with sheer pink curtains and pink striped bedding. The room is large, with a fluffy rug covering the wide plank floors, and a large window letting in the fading sunlight.
Gracie bunny hops over to a white plastic castle that’s almost as tall as she is. She crouches down and picks up her Barbie. The doll matches her with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s dressed in a shimmering ball gown and a little crown sits atop her head. “This is Princess Grace.”
I kneel next to her. “She’s beautiful. Nice to meet you, Princess Grace.”
Gracie giggles and reaches for a plastic military Jeep parked beside the castle.
Inside are three G.I. Joe dolls. One driving and two in the backseat.
There are four more G.I. Joes in a second Jeep.
Gracie puts her Barbie in the passenger side of the first Jeep, and I have to press my lips together to hold back the laugh.
“Princess Grace has a lot of guards.”
Gracie nods. “They protect her from the bad princes and all the people that want to marry her.”
I bet they do. Princess Grace has a squad of military protectors.
I see so much of Linc in it that my heart swells.
I’m not sure how long he’s been a single dad, but it’s obvious how much he loves and wants to protect Gracie.
It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. He has this big, beautiful house and a thriving coffee shop, a precious daughter and good friends.
It makes me wonder, who’s taking care of him?
She picks up one of the G.I. Joes from the back seat then slants me a look. Slowly, she hands him to me, as if afraid I’m going to reject her peace offering. Not happening. I’m acing this interview.
“What’s his name?” I take the action figure, noting he has dark hair and a beard. He’s wearing a military uniform with a rifle strapped to his back.
“Joe.”
Ah. “Are they all named Joe?” Gracie shrugs. Her look says I should know these things. Right. I give him a stern look. “Joe, report! What is the status of the princess’s protection?”
Gracie giggles. “She’s okay.”
I grin at her. “Good job, Joe.”
We spend the next hour playing with her princess and protectors, a jigsaw puzzle, and coloring.
She’s imaginative, silly, and a bit of a troublemaker.
I adore her already. I’m not sure what happened with the other nannies that came before, or that I want to know.
Maybe it’s enough to have both Gracie and I start fresh.
Linc knocks on the doorframe as we’re cleaning up crayons. He’s changed into a dark green Henley that clings to his chest and his hair is damp. He must have showered after cleaning up the kitchen. Meanwhile, Gracie and I are still dusted white.
“Gracie, Grandma’s going to have dinner with you while I take Miss Darcy home.”
She bounces up, tossing the remaining crayons behind her and streaks out the door. “Grandma!”
I put the crayons away and stand. “She’s adorable.”
He hums a noise.
“Well? Did I pass Gracie’s test?”
“Hers and mine,” he murmurs. “Thank you, Darcy.” He cocks his head. “Is this what you want? Are you willing to give up your thrilling early mornings and grumpy customers in the Quarter to watch my daughter?”
Ha! When I found myself stranded here after losing my job, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to watch someone else’s children ever again.
Being fired for something I didn’t do hurt.
Plus, it’s hard getting close to them, only to leave when my contracted time is up.
These few hours with Gracie reminded me why I love being a nanny.
I love kids. Maybe one day I’ll have a couple of my own.
Until then, I can enjoy someone else’s. “Yes, I’d love to. ”
“Good. Come down and meet my mother. She lives here also, so you’ll see her often. After that, I’ll take you home.”
Mrs. Wolf is at least a foot shorter than her son, with gray-streaked black hair and a kind smile. She moves a bit slow and seems a little frail. Linc kisses her cheek after she sits Gracie at the table with her grilled cheese and grapes.
“Back soon, Ma. I’m taking Darcy home.”
“I can call for a car pickup.”
Mrs. Wolf chuckles and shakes her head at the same time Linc says, “No. I’m not sending you out at night with a stranger.”
He makes it sound like the streets are run by gangs or something. One look at his intense features and I know it’s not a battle I will win. “You’re the boss.”
Something flares in his dark eyes, gone before I can identify it. “Yes, I am.”
I say goodbye to Gracie and Mrs. Wolf and follow him out to the garage. The studio apartment I’m renting isn’t far. I direct Linc to the house I’m living at. He parks on the street and frowns.
“Here?”
“Yeah. I mean, the front is a hostel, but I rent a studio apartment in the back. Thanks for giving me a ride?—”
Linc wraps his fingers around my wrist and stops me from leaving the truck. “No.”
“No what?”
“Pack your things. You’ll stay with us.”
“What? Why?” I sputter, then look back at the hostel. There’s a young man on the front porch playing guitar and loud music thumps from the pool area behind the house. There’s a nightly party there, but they quiet down before midnight. It’s New Orleans. Isn’t this normal?
His hand tightens slightly, though not enough to hurt. “It’s not safe here.”
“My apartment is separate from the house. No one bothers me there.”
He scowls. “That’s worse. I need you to trust me, Darcy. The case I’m working on for Citadel is following some very dangerous individuals with a taste for beautiful women like you. I spotted them a block from here last night.” He points to the west.
I follow his hand and swallow. This must be the big case Clara mentioned. The one Linc was angry about this morning.
“I’m not leaving you here. Pack your gear, then tell me whether you’re coming back with me or going to a hotel. One way or the other, I’m not leaving your side until I know you’re somewhere safe.”
The rough growl in his voice sends a shiver through me. Did he call me beautiful just now? I know I should probably protest more. It’s just… he makes me feel safe in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. I want to lean into it, at least for a little while. “I’ll go with you.”