“No problem. I told Karen I’d ring her back tomorrow night, so that will work in perfectly.”
The more Julia thought about a nanny, the better she liked the idea. It was as if the light bulb moment spurred other thoughts. Positive ones.
“Ryan,” Julia said the next day. “Susan’s cousin is a nanny, and she needs a new position. Susan asked if we’d be interested in interviewing her.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Ryan said. “Why don’t you talk to her? Why does she want a new job?”
“The husband of her current employer has turned grabby.”
“The only one I’m interested in groping is you.”
She wished he was there to wander his hands over her right now. “You trust me to make the initial contact?”
“Why wouldn’t I? Besides, she’s Susan’s cousin. That’s a sort of a reference there. Susan wouldn’t recommend her if she didn’t believe she was trustworthy.”
Julia could think of at least five reasons why Ryan shouldn’t want her to interview a nanny. She hadn’t trusted him enough to embrace Alex straight away. No, trust wasn’t the right word. Everything happening so quickly had overwhelmed her, leaving her groping to keep her head above water when things were so new between them. Now that they’d talked every day, she was feeling more positive. Ryan didn’t intend to give up on her.
“I’ll ring you once I’ve talked to Karen.”
“Make sure she realizes she’d need to sign a confidentiality agreement if she takes the job,” Ryan said.
Karen came equipped with references and copies of her qualifications. With her long straight brown hair and serious face, she reminded Julia of the Susan she’d met about four years ago at Baker and Johnson. She radiated competence.
“My husband and I both work odd hours, often in the evenings. We have one child, a boy who is almost three.” Julia paused to consider her words. They sounded right, and suddenly she wanted to see Ryan and Alex so much a physical ache sprang to life in the middle of her chest. She gasped and realized with a flash of humor that she needed to breathe. “We hadn’t considered a nanny until Susan suggested it. What sort of hours are you willing to work?”
“My last position was live-in.” Her gaze was level and self-assured and she smiled in a pleasant manner. “I’d want to meet your husband before I agree to take the job.”
“Definitely,” Julia said, amused yet impressed by the girl’s straightforward style. “Ryan would want to meet you anyway. What sort of routine would you suggest for Alex?” She listened to Karen, her confidence, and decided employing her was the perfect solution.
They discussed wages and terms of employment, leaving Julia optimistic when Karen departed. She picked up the phone to call Ryan.
“Hey, sweetheart. How did the interview go?”
“She’s perfect. She wants to meet you before she agrees to take the job.”
Ryan’s chuckle made her grin. “Wants to assess me in case I have wandering hands?”
“I think that’s the main purpose.”
“You’re the only woman I want.”
Julia’s grin broadened. “I’m pleased to hear it. Karen will be too.” The ache of need she’d experienced earlier surfaced again—an intense yearning, now that her thinking was done. Decisions made. “Could I come down for Alex’s birthday party?”
“Yes! God, Julia. Yes. When can you come?”
“I need to check with Susan and Christina. Maggie and Connor too. Hopefully, one or all of them will look after the club for me. If they agree I could drive down on the Friday and come back on Sunday afternoon.”
“Julia, please make it happen. I can’t wait to see you.”
The longing in his voice matched the craving in her. “I’ll ring you back in an hour.”
“We’re off to the beach. Text me instead because I might miss your call.”
“Julia’s driving down for the weekend,” Ryan said, relief jumbling his thoughts and making him want to break into song.
“About time,” Caleb said. “I’d almost given up on her.”
“I hadn’t. She’s worth the wait.”
