CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)

Which meant she’d intended to do just that.

“I don’t want her to change her mind about the job before I speak to her.”

Or refuse to see me, after deciding she’d rather not be alone with me after all.

“Didn’t I just tell you she was inquiring about the position herself? Not that she sounded overly enthusiastic, gotta say, but that she hasn’t backed out is a miracle. Especially since you haven’t exactly upheld your half of the bargain.”

“I will.” I started my car. “I’ll be home to relieve you in an hour, tops. Thank you.”

“You know I love this baby.”

“I do. Thank you for that too.”

“You don’t ever have to thank someone for giving love. It’s free.” With that perspective adjustment, she ended the call.

It took me longer than I expected to reach Hannah’s. Somehow I’d forgotten that she’d made a passing comment about not living in the town proper.

Yeah, not even close. She was halfway to Syracuse, therefore requiring me to turn around and head back in the direction from which I’d just come.

That was my fault, however, since I hadn’t reread the address my grandmother had given me until I was nearly back to Crescent Cove.

Lost in your thoughts, hmm? Wonder why.

I finally pulled up in front of Hannah’s place, having passed a number of other houses much the same as hers tucked away in this cul-de-sac. More models were being built at the end of the lane. Most of them seemed like dull repetitions of each other. No distinguishing features, no children’s bicycles laying haphazardly on the lawn—at least until the next snow came. Definitely no fun and whimsical touches to make each home individual.

My own new house wasn’t much different. It was a bit larger and more child-friendly due to the enormous yard. I’d been happy with it until looking at these soulless replicas had made me realize that mine was much the same.

Not like my grandmother’s home, one of the oldest on her block. She was forever having to repair this or that, but it had so much character. Her house also had a porch, just as my new place did. I wouldn’t have purchased it otherwise. To me, porches meant family and friends.

There wasn’t one of those in sight here. That seemed like the biggest insult of all.

I parked beside an older sedan with little pockets of rust over the wheel wells. It didn’t match the house, but a quick look inside revealed it was tidy and well-kept.

And I was going to walk up to the front door before the neighbor peeking out between the lacy curtains next door labeled me as a creeper or a potential thief.

I ascended the two steps to the small stoop and rang the bell. No one answered. I pressed it again. And again.

Wasn’t that Hannah’s car? It certainly seemed as if it might be.

Unless it was a boyfriend’s car. Maybe they were occupied upstairs.

Christ, I wasn’t going to put those thoughts in my head. My mistake for not asking if she had someone in her life now. It didn’t have a bearing in any case.

Just business, remember? She’s Lily’s nanny.

I hoped.

With that in mind, I rang the bell again. That was the only reason I was here. Perhaps she was taking a shower or was in a distant part of the house.

Perhaps she knew I was here and was ignoring me.

If that was the case, I was going to turn around and head home. She deserved the courtesy of a call before I showed up on such short notice.

&nb

sp; Even if I didn’t fully believe she’d stick around to speak to me without the buffer of my grandmother between us.

Then again, she’d agreed—sort of—to taking the full-time nanny position in my home. I hadn’t specified she’d be living with me, but surely, she knew how this worked, right? I’d assumed she’d be in a small apartment, not this.