Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
With a wide smile, I stride up the steps—steps that have been de-iced and shoveled very recently—and ring the doorbell.
Before I can even step back to wait patiently for an answer, the door swings open, and my heart stops.
“Grumpy.”
Chapter Six
Remington
“Are you lost?” I don’t know what it is about this woman, but my body fucking hums whenever I’m near her.
And I had no idea that this was the person Millie was sending my way to interview as a potential nanny.
Fuck me. How am I supposed to have her in my house all the time and keep my hands to myself?
“No,” she says with a grin. “Do you get many people who are lost out here? Because that’s a hell of a drive from town to find yourself lost.”
“No, not many strays make their way out here. Come on in,” I reply and step back, then close the door and catch her rubbing her hands together. “Are you cold?”
“A little,” she confesses with a shrug. “I feel like I’ve been cold since I got here in December. It’s okay, I’ll adjust to the climate eventually. You have a lovely home.”
I turn to look at the house I grew up in through her eyes. Aside from some new furniture here and there, and a coat of paint, not much has changed since I was a kid. The same chandelier hangs in the foyer over a worn rug. To the right is the kitchen and living room, and to the left is my office. I gesture that way and lead her inside, then close the doors behind us.
“Thanks for coming all this way.” Taking my seat behind the desk, I watch her wander slowly to the chair across from me, her eyes gazing over my shelves, the paintings and photos on the wall, and the window to my back. Her green sweater hugs every curve of her body perfectly, leaving nothing to the imagination. I’m relieved to be sitting. “Have a seat.”
“Okay. So, you’re Remington. And here I thought your name was simply Grumpy.”
“And you’re Erin. Not Doc at all.”
Those lips of hers tip up on one side. “Guilty. I’m Erin Montgomery, and I seriously love your sister.”
I sit back and steeple my hands in front of me. “Everyone loves my sister. I guess I’ll start by telling you what I need, and we’ll go from there.”
“Sounds great.”
“I have two kids, and they’re both in school. I’m finding it challenging to get away from the ranch to get them to and from school, take care of homework and meals, and still have fun with them, too.”
“I can see that,” she says, nodding slowly. “From what Millie tells me, your ranch is very busy.”
“Yeah, that’s an understatement. But I don’t know how you can help me if you’re not planning on quitting the coffee shop. You’re still working when school gets out.”
“I’ll switch with Millie,” she replies easily. “She already offered. I’ll take the early shift and be off about an hour before school gets out. It’ll be perfect timing for me to run home and change and get over to them. I don’t think I’ll be able to do mornings, though. So, if you need someone for both, it might not work for us.”
I take a breath, thinking it over. Just having someone do the afternoon pickup would be a huge help.
“I think I can continue to manage in the mornings, if we decide this is mutually beneficial.”
Erin watches me with happy green eyes as I outline the salary, what I expect, and what I absolutely won’t tolerate. When I come to the end of my speech, her smile grows.
“I think that all sounds perfectly reasonable.”
“Can you start on Monday? Of course, I’ll have my brother run a quick background check to make sure there are no warrants out for your arrest, but as long as that checks out, you’re hired.”
“Awesome, but before I officially accept the job, can I meet the kids?”
“Of course.” I stand, both happy and relieved that she asked to meet them before accepting. It shows me that this isn’t just an extra paycheck for her. “Follow me. My mom is in the kitchen with them right now.”
We walk through to the kitchen, where my mom is just starting the dishwasher.
“Grandma made us pancakes,” Holly says with delight as she chews and turns to Erin. “I’m Holly. What’s your name?”
“It’s nice to meet you, Holly. I’m Erin. Those look like delicious pancakes.”
“You can have some,” Johnny offers. “Grandma makes the best ones.”
“As tempting as that is, I’ll have to pass for today. You must be Johnny.” I like the way she smiles at the kids. She’s warm and isn’t fake about it.
You can always tell when people don’t like kids and are only being nice because it’s expected. And my kids know the difference, too.