Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“And my new nanny’s name is supposed to be Margaret.”
“Yeah, Margaret Tatum O’Leary,” she says, wincing. “Sorry I didn’t say that on the phone when we talked, but you started the interview off by calling me Margaret, and I didn’t think I should correct my boss right off the bat. And then, by the time we were done, it felt like we’d been talking too long for me to suddenly switch names. I was afraid you would think I was weird, and you seemed so nice and cool, and I really wanted the job. So, I figured I’d sort out the ‘I go by my middle name’ thing on my first day.” She bites her bottom lip. “Are you mad?”
“No,” I say honestly. I’m not mad. I’m something much, much worse. I swear, my guts feel like they’re tied in knots as I add, “It’s clear you’re great with kids and Sarah Beth is already in love with you. And she doesn’t love everyone. She’s very shy most of the time, so it’s amazing you’ve made so much headway with her in five minutes.”
Tatum beams and her shoulders relax a little. “Aw, thanks. I love her, too. And I love working with four-year olds. They’re the best. They’re so creative and fun. They’re just my people. Probably because I never fully grew up.” She lifts a hand, fingers spread. “I mean, I’m responsible and can totally be trusted, I just still like to play. And remember how. A lot of adults don’t.”
“No, they don’t. You’re…really special, and I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, hating that I have to add a ‘but’ onto that statement. “But there’s no way I can date my daughter’s nanny. It just wouldn’t feel right. And I wouldn’t want to put your relationship with Sarah at risk.”
Tatum blinks faster, disappointment filling her eyes. “It wouldn’t. Even if things didn’t work out between us, I’d never abandon a child who was counting on me, Drew. I can keep my relationship with you and my relationship with Sarah Beth separate, I promise.”
“But I can’t,” I say, just as Sarah Beth’s footfalls pound across the ceiling above our heads. “If you decided you didn’t want to date me anymore and I still had to see you every weekday morning, it would be too hard. I’d have to let you go and then you’d lose a job, and my daughter would lose someone she’d grown attached to, and she’s lost enough already. Her mom left when she was a year old and my Aunt Tia, her favorite sitter, moved to Florida last year. She needs a caregiver she can count on, and I really want this to be a long-term situation. That’s why I was so nosy in the interview.”
“Not quite nosy enough,” Tatum says, pain clear in her voice as she adds, “Ugh, if only I’d told you my full name on Saturday, this could have been avoided.”
“Or if I’d paid better attention to the background check,” I say. “I’m still not sure I would have connected the dots but seeing the unusual middle name might have sparked something.”
“Yeah,” Tatum says sounding as miserable as I feel.
“But I’m glad we had Saturday,” I whisper as Sarah Beth gallops down the stairs. “It was as unforgettable as you are.”
Tatum nods, her brow furrowed as she clearly fights through another wave of disappointment. “Okay, well, then…I guess that’s that.” She pulls in a breath, forcing a smile as Sarah Beth skids to a stop in front of her, holding her wand and three of her favorite stuffed animals.
“This is Ajax, Tatum,” she says, handing over her favorite St. Bernard stuffy, the one she’s had since she was a baby. “He’s a hero and saves all the other stuffed animals when they get in trouble. And they get in a lot of trouble. The stairs are super dangerous, and they fall all the time.”
“Oh, wow,” Tatum says, dipping into a little curtsy. “I’m so honored to meet you Ajax. It’s an honor to be in the presence of a real-life hero. Thank goodness we have you here to help us keep the rest of the stuffies safe.”
Sarah Beth nods seriously, clearly enraptured by this grown-up taking her pretend as seriously as she does. “And this is Petra Picklepants, she’s—”
“Hold on for one second, honey,” I cut in, glancing at my watch. “I need to be out the door in ten minutes, and I haven’t given Tatum the keys or money for lunch.” I turn to Tatum. “I know you already have her schedule for the week, but I put a copy on the refrigerator just in case. The keys to the house and the minivan in the garage are by the microwave. Please use the van, not your car. It’s safer and I already have her car seat set up properly.”