Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Though, if I say something like that, I'll probably scare him away.
Maybe he's single because he's a serial dater and loves one-night stands. He's probably one of those guys who swipes right and never calls anyone again.
I swallow, though, because looking at him and his coveralls from work with the patch, Major's Mechanic Shop, on the right side of the chest makes me know he's not a player. He's a hardworking man. A blue-collar hero, one I could imagine... Oh God, I'm getting ahead of myself.
I wave my hand in front of my face to fan myself off, and Major asks if I'm okay. "Yeah," I say, catching my breath and distracting myself from the thoughts of this man giving me an oil change. "I'm just hot. I think it's from all that work going up and down the stairs."
"Right," he says. "Well, I don't want to keep you. I know the kids are waiting, and..."
"I suppose you’re right," I say. "I need to go introduce myself as their nanny."
"You haven't met them yet?" Major asks as we walk out my door and down the steps to the driveway.
"Only on a Skype call," I say. "I mean, I met them briefly when I got here, but we haven't spent time together."
"Well, they're sweet kids," Major says. "This winter, when we had this big old snowfall, I helped them build a snowman in their yard. Pretty cute. And for Halloween this year, one was a marshmallow and one was a graham cracker."
"They were s'mores?" I say. "Well, that is pretty adorable."
"Right?" Major says, chuckling. "It really was. I gave them each two full-sized candy bars when they came knocking at my door, which is probably way too much sugar, but I couldn't help it."
I smile. "So you like kids too?"
He shrugs. "Sure, I like kids. Eh, I mean, who wouldn't?"
"I don't know," I say, running a hand through my hair. "Some guys are scared of the idea of children. Couldn't even change a diaper."
Major laughs. "Well, I grew up with four younger siblings, so I've changed my fair share of diapers."
My eyes widen. "Wow, so you are pretty comfortable around kids."
Major chuckles as Todd walks over to us. "So, you get unpacked?"
I frown. "Well, not unpacked," I say. "But the van's unloaded, so that's a start."
"Do you need help getting it back to the U-Haul lot?" Major asks.
Todd shakes his head. "I got it. My wife will be here any second and I'll take it back for Molly. Figure I might as well do something to help her."
I frown, thinking he could have helped me unload my boxes. "Well, if you need anything at all," Major says, "...don't hesitate to call."
"Will do, Major." Todd's phone starts to ring. "Uh, just a sec, I got to take this. I'll see you inside, Molly?"
"Of course," I say.
"You sure you're going to be okay in there?" Major asks me.
I laugh. "I think I can handle a few kids and a weirdo boss. At least I have my own apartment. I have been living with three roommates, so this is going to be quite the upgrade."
"Good," Major says. "You deserve it."
I bite my bottom lip, considering those words. I deserve it.
"Well, I know you just got to town, and we just met, but I was wondering, could I take you out tomorrow night?"
"Oh," I say. "That sounds really nice, but Todd and Jane are leaving for the weekend, so I'm going to be here by myself. It probably wouldn't work."
"All weekend?" Major looks disappointed, and honestly, so am I. A date with him sounds incredible. "I get it. You have work to do. Maybe some other time."
"Another time sounds great," I say, hoping it plays out.
"I'll see you around, Molly." He gives me a wave and walks back across the road. I can’t help but stand there staring at him as he walks away. He's tall with broad shoulders. And just when I wonder if he'll look back and give me one last smile, he does. I lift my hand, my fingers waving back at him.
Just then, Jane pulls up in her Mercedes. She gets out of the car with a sigh. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I missed my ferry then got stuck in traffic. I was in Seattle all day and then I was driving and I got, like, all these phone calls. Sorry I wasn't here. Was Todd?"
"Yeah," I say, taking her in. When I met her on the Skype call, she seemed cool, calm, and collected. But right now, she looks spun up yet exhausted.
"I had a huge meeting today in the city and, well, you know how it goes."
"Right," I say, crinkling my nose. "I know how it goes."
I follow her into the house and find the kids, Jasper and Julia, still in front of the television. Todd is in the dining room pacing while talking on the phone. Jane drops her monogrammed tote bag on a stool on the kitchen island and then looks around the kitchen.