Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Sutton laughs and swats her husband on the arm. I feel a surge of protectiveness toward Dax. It’s obvious they’re joking, but it’s unnecessary.
“We’re still waiting on Vincent, Kate, Zach and Ellie. They should be here within the hour. They’re coming by helicopter.”
A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of four of Dax’s family members in a helicopter.
“Oh, just in time—this is Madison, Nathan’s wife,” Sutton says. “And his daughter.”
Madison has a child who looks about one on her hip, and she grins at me. “Hey, Eira. First time at the Coves’ can be a bit daunting.” She comes closer. “They tease each other relentlessly and it can be exhausting. But deep down, they all love each other.”
“Deep, deep, deep down,” Sutton says, laughing.
“You know the thing that I love—they’re not like this when they’re apart,” Madison says. “It’s like this switch they flip when they see each other. You’d never think it, but they’re fiercely loyal and they don’t just love each other, they like each other a whole lot.”
“I hope you girls are behaving yourselves,” John says as he passes me a cup of tea. “Don’t be telling Eira anything that will put her off us.” He pats me on the shoulder and there’s something about the way he’s protective of me that has the bridge of my nose fizzing. This man had five kids and a distinguished career by all accounts. He’s not cold and standoffish. He’s warm and welcoming and…clearly a beloved father.
“Don’t worry, Dad, we’ll leave that to you,” Jacob says. He turns to me. “You’ll get used to this.”
Don’t they get it? I’m just the nanny. I don’t need to get used to anything. They don’t need to worry if I’m put off. It’s not like I’m a part of all this. They’re talking to me like I’m…one of them.
“Oh, I don’t know how I forgot,” Jacob says. “I got you something, Dad.”
Jacob holds something in the air and I can’t quite make out what it is. Everyone busts out laughing. “There was no point putting any of our faces on there when we all know, Dog is your favorite.” He loops something over his father’s head, and I realize that Jacob’s gift to his father is an apron. With pictures of a dog’s head all over it.
“Where is Dog, anyway?” Jacob asks.
“Asleep in the front room,” John says.
“Getting away from all of us, no doubt.”
The alarm of my phone vibrates in my pocket. I take it out and silence it. Guinevere will be hungry soon. I need to prepare her bottle.
I don’t want to interrupt anyone and ask where I’ll be sleeping, so I quickly wash my hands and set about preparing a bottle. As I’m screwing the lid on, Guinevere starts to become unsettled. She’s a good baby and loves her routine, so she rarely gets to full-on meltdown mode.
Carole starts to jiggle her around, but it doesn’t help. Because she doesn’t need reassurance. She’s hungry.
I catch Dax’s attention and hold up the bottle. I don’t want to be the one who takes a granddaughter from her grandmother if I don’t have to be. Much better for Dax to do it. I also get the feeling that Dax needs his family to see how competent he is. He’s not a gushy father. Not yet anyway. He’s intensely practical. Scientific.
“Mum, can I just take her for a minute?” Dax asks, reaching for his daughter.
Apart from a walk to and from football practice, there haven’t been many times when Dax and I are both around Guinevere for an extended period of time. I make sure I disappear into my room when my day ends so he can have time with his daughter. In the mornings, he leaves before Guinevere has breakfast. But now? How much does he want me to do? I want to encourage their bonding. But at the same time, I want to make sure he has time with his family.
“Would you like me to feed her or would you like to?” I ask as I stand as close as I can without touching him. I don’t want to embarrass him.
His eyes fix on mine and back down to his daughter, then across at his family. He’s obviously torn and I’m not sure why. Does he think I’m trying to shirk my responsibilities?
“I’m happy to, but I know some parents who really enjoy feeding time with their newborns,” I whisper.
He nods. “I’ll take her somewhere quiet.” He takes the bottle from me, and I hand him the Peter Rabbit muslin I’m holding, too. He heads out. I follow a few steps behind.
“Eira,” someone calls. I’m torn. I want to be on hand for Dax if he needs anything, but at the same time, someone else wants my attention.
I fix my smile in place and turn.