“No. I guess her daughter is at high risk, so she’s leaving to stay with her. She was apologetic, and I get it. I hate it, but I understand it, too. She needs to be with her daughter. She’s a good mother,” he says, and we can all read through the lines of what he’s not saying about Camden’s mother.
“What can we do?” Corie asks.
Baker reaches over and runs his hands over Camden’s head, earning a smile from his son. “I don’t know. I hate the idea of leaving him with someone I don’t know. I hated it when we first hired Mrs. Ward, too, but she was highly recommended, and there was just something about her that made you feel calm, and I trusted her.”
“We’re here for whatever you need,” Foster tells him. “We’ll make it work.”
“I can watch him for now,” Bellamy offers.
“You have your job,” Baker tells her.
“Yeah, about that. I’m training my replacement, and then I’m going to stay at home for a while with Coral, just until she’s older.”’
“It’s going to be longer than that, Bell, because our girl needs brothers and sisters,” Reid tells his wife.
Bellamy grins at him. “I’m happy to help.” She turns her attention back to Baker.
“I appreciate that, I do, but I need someone now.”
“I can do it,” I offer. “I’m off work indefinitely.” I shrug.
“What?” all five guys ask at once.
“What does that mean?” Landry asks. He’s always been like a brother to me because of my relationship with his sister.
“It means that due to budget cuts, my position was eliminated.”
“Damn, Sloane, I’m sorry to hear that,” Knox says.
“Thank you.” I smile at him before turning to Baker. “I’m happy to help you. I’m certified in CPR, and I love kids, and I’d much rather spend my time with Camden than waiting tables downtown.”
“What happens if you find another teaching job?” Baker asks.
“I’d have plenty of notice, and I’ve been looking for a week, and so far, nothing is available that’s not at least an hour’s drive from home.”
“You’d have to stay with me, at my place—at least during training camp, and when we’re out of town with the team,” Baker says cautiously.
I can see his wheels turning over in his brain as he processes this situation.
“Let’s see, stay at your mega mansion with the cutest little boy ever, or over my parents’ garage in my tiny one-bedroom apartment?” I tap my chin as if the decision’s complicated. “I can handle it,” I assure him. Then it hits me that maybe he doesn’t want me watching his son. “No pressure.” I raise my hands. “But I’d be happy to help.”
Baker stares at me with all the intensity that his hazel eyes are capable of, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. I wish I could get a better read on him.
No matter the outcome of my working for him, even if it’s just to fill in while he finds a new permanent nanny, which is best, we’re both helping each other out. The chance of me finding aa job for this upcoming school year, seems unlikely this close to the term starting.
Chapter Five
Baker
* * *
Sloane smiles at me, and it’s comforting. I should be screaming hell yes. I trust her, Camden loves her, and it would make my life so much easier, but then again, if she finds a job and leaves me stuck again, that would suck.
“I’d appreciate the help,” I tell her. “I’ll keep looking for a permanent solution, but if you could help and at least get me through training camp, that would be amazing.”
“Absolutely. To be honest, the job prospects are not looking all that great this year. Most of the positions have already been filled, so there’s no rush in finding someone.”
“We need to discuss pay and accommodations. You can have Mrs. Ward’s room, which is upstairs next to Cam’s,” I rattle on.
