Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“More like a live-in nanny.”
Her mouth gaped open. Was he crazy? Why did he think she was qualified to take care of a kid? She didn’t have any of her own and she wasn’t even an aunt. She had zero experience except for helping with her sister when they were young. “I’m not a nanny. Not even close.”
“I need someone to take care of her while I’m working this assignment.”
“Quid pro quo,” she murmured. “Wait. Who’s taking care of her now?”
“She goes to preschool in the morning for half a day, then my mother’s been watching her in the afternoons and into the evening. All depending on how long I’m working. Right now, with being undercover, the hours are longer than normal. They’re erratic, too. Unfortunately, being a prospect means I have to be available at any time. I could get a call in the middle of the night and I won’t be able to go since I can’t leave Val alone.”
“Wouldn’t you rather have family watching her than a stranger?”
“Of course. But the truth is, my mother can’t keep up. And it’s not fair to her to help raise a four-year-old. While she loves being a grandmother and spending time with Val, she’s just no longer physically capable of being a full-time caretaker.”
“You haven’t found anyone prior to this?”
“Occasional babysitters but no one permanent. I want steady in her life. And I also don’t want a revolving door of childcare providers. But with this assignment, I need someone who can live-in. I can’t be scrambling to find a babysitter at three in the morning.”
That made sense. It would most likely be impossible to find anyone at that hour. “You said this would be temporary…”
“I did. But I have no idea how long this undercover assignment will last. Could be weeks. Could be months. Could be even longer.” Years. “I just need someone to cover the basics. You know, making sure she’s fed, warm and safe when I’m not there. Help get her dressed, take a bath, get her to and from preschool.”
“That’s not the basics.”
He released a sigh that sounded like it stemmed from frustration and not impatience. “Look, I plan on paying you, too. It won’t be much, but it’ll pay off in other ways. I have a spare bedroom, so you’ll save money by not having to pay for rent or utilities. I’ll even cover groceries so you don’t have that cost. It would be a good opportunity to get back on your feet financially while I keep an eye out for your sister. It’s an arrangement that could be beneficial for us both.”
“But you don’t even know me. You’re asking a stranger to move in with you and take care of your daughter.”
“Niece,” he corrected. “And I know enough about you to know you won’t harm Val, kidnap her or neglect her. If you were cold-hearted and uncaring, you wouldn’t be going the lengths you are to find and help your sister, even when she doesn’t appreciate your efforts and sacrifices. Most people would wash their hands of her. Just like your parents. You haven’t because you have a good heart.”
“Since you knew specific details about me, I have to assume you ran a background check.”
“I wouldn’t have approached you if I hadn’t.”
Well, at least he was honest about it. But this was all so unexpected and her head was spinning even thinking about this. It would be easy to say no, but he was right, this arrangement could be beneficial to them both.
And though she hated to admit it, she could use all the help she could get.
“Just a warning, though. The hours will be unpredictable. I could possibly be gone for days. There’s no set schedule going undercover with a damn outlaw MC. That’s why it’ll be easier to have someone living with us.”
“Again, I’m not a nanny. My only experience with kids is having a younger sister. That’s it. I’m not qualified to raise anyone’s child.”
“You’re a woman, aren’t you?”
Her jaw dropped. Oh no he didn’t. “What does that mean? Do you think the motherly instinct is automatic for women? That’s so damn sexist.”
He lifted his hands to argue, but he dropped them back to his lap. “You’re right. That was an asinine thing for me to say. Especially after I’ve seen mothers—biological mothers—with zero motherly instincts. Including my own sister. Amelia had put Val in situations an infant never should’ve been in. The need to get high overrode the natural instinct to protect her own child.”
“Owen… Do you go by Owen?”
“Normally, I answer to Decker, but you can call me either as long as we’re not around the Demons. Then I go strictly by Hatchet.”
She nodded. “What do you prefer?”
“Most of the people in my life call me Decker.”
“Then I’ll call you that.” She continued with her previous thoughts. “It would be easier to find someone else—maybe someone with experience and definitely without my baggage—and not have to deal with my sister at all. So, why me? You can’t be offering me this opportunity simply out of the goodness of your heart.”