Beth came walking in with two large bags that Violet recognized from her room. She’d had a room above Meg and Rascal’s garage until she decided where she wanted to be permanently.
“Hey, why do you have my stuff?” Violet asked.
Beth didn’t answer, continuing to walk to the bedroom with a full-size bed, dresser, and desk. Beth dropped the items on the bed and turned to face Violet.
“Speedy is going to need someone to live in for a while to be a nanny. You’re perfect with kids, and I think it will work out wonderfully,” Beth said, grinning.
Violet closed the door because she didn’t need anyone else listening in.
“What do you think you’re doing? I can’t live with him,” Violet whispered.
“Why not?” Beth asked.
Why not? Because there was no way she’d be able to keep her distance watching him with the kids, and what if he walked around shirtless? He’d figure out she had the biggest crush on him ever.
“Because,” Violet said, crossing her arms.
“Because is not a good enough answer. Right now, Regina and Baron are telling Speedy what they think is the best option and that is you as his nanny,” Beth said, sliding her arm around Violet.
“Give it a chance. Maybe it will be the best thing to ever happen to you.”
Violet pondered Beth’s words, but with her upbringing, she didn’t have a lot of experience dreaming of better things.
Living here as Speedy’s nanny could only be better if he decided he wanted to keep her as more than his nanny. How would she deal with the time when he wanted her to leave? What if she fell in love with the kids too?
Beth gave her another reassuring squeeze and opened the door.
“Hey, I don’t want you to feel obligated, but Baron and Regina had the idea you might be interested in being a live-in nanny. Nopressure, but if you want to help me out, I’d be grateful,” Speedy said.
His words sounded sincere, so for once, Violet wasn’t going to think of all the things that could go wrong and follow her gut.
“I’d like to help you,” Violet replied.
A huge grin spread across Speedy’s face, making Violet’s heart race. He was so cute when he smiled.
“Thank you,” he said.
Speedy moved Deacon’s foot off his thigh, where it was digging in, and rolled on his side. When Tessie had woken during the night for a bottle, Deacon had too. Speedy had fed Tessie and laid her back in her bed after she fell asleep, but Deacon had been wide awake.
When he’d said he was scared to sleep in his own room, Speedy’s heart had hurt at the words. He’d picked Deacon up and taken him back to his room. He wasn’t sure if that’s what parents did, but he wasn’t having his kid scared the first night Deacon was with Speedy. Deacon must have felt safe because he’d slept through Tessie’s crying for her bottle at four.
Violet had asked last night if he wanted help during the night. His feelings of inadequacy for not being there the first five years of Deacon’s life had him telling Violet not to get up and that they’d set up a system this week.
When he’d said that, he had no idea that Tessie would wake him more than once during the night. He hadn’t really asked about how often he should feed her, so both times, he’d changed her and given her a bottle. After she’d burped, she driftedoff back to sleep. He’d gotten experience with Mellie, War’s daughter, with diaper changes and burping.
He heard a faint cry from Tessie’s room and glanced at the clock. Seven a.m. was so early. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and told himself to move. His door was open so he could hear Tessie. When he stood up, Violet was standing there holding his daughter.
I’ve got hershe mouthed. He mouthed back thanks because he didn’t need Deacon waking up. He laid back down and closed his eyes. He just needed a little bit longer to sleep before being a full-time dad today. He’d been hesitant about having his temptation so close in the house, but after last night, he was thankful Baron and Regina had pushed for Violet to nanny for him.
He was in awe of single parents because after one night, these little ones were kicking his butt. How the heck did Anita do this by herself, and why didn’t she let him know? He drifted off, wondering where he’d put the letter he needed to read.
Violet snuggled Tessie after changing her while she warmed her bottle. Tessie’s dark eyes were open wide, but as long as Violet swayed while they waited, Tessie didn’t cry.
She’d heard both times that Speedy had gotten up with Tessie, and she’d wanted to help. It had been the hardest thing following his wishes, but as soon as it hit seven o’clock, Violet was listening for Tessie’s first cry.
She tested the bottle, then walked to the rocking recliner in the family room to settle with Tessie in her arms. Tessie’s little mouth latched onto the nipple right away. Violet ran a fingerover Tessie’s fine blonde hair while she rocked in the chair. It had turned chillier overnight. Violet was thankful she’d slipped on a sweatshirt over her pajama shirt and pants. She’d need to find where her slippers were, but for now, she settled the afghan that Regina had brought last night over her legs and around Tessie.
After Tessie finished, Violet laid Tessie on her shoulder, patting her back until Tessie burped. She thought about getting up for coffee, but she was comfortable here under the cover with Tessie.
