“No problem.Take your time.”I wave off his concern and watch the little girl.She looks so much like her daddy with her dark hair and bright blue eyes.It’s sweet to see the two of them together.To see her so comfortable in his arms.
Within a few minutes, we’re settled on the couch and Jamie smiles at me.
“Ok.I guess I’ll ask you some questions if that’s ok?”
I nod my head, more than ready to do this.If he doesn’t want to hire me, I’ll have to find someone else to work for.Though I think I’d enjoy working for him.He seems laidback and easygoing.I like that.
“What makes you want to be a nanny?”
“I love kids.I love when they’re this age especially.She’s starting to find her own personality, but she’s still in the cuddly age.A kiss to a boo-boo and a big hug is enough to make their entire day better.”I toy with the curls at the base of Tali’s neck.
“Do you have any kids of your own?”He watches me carefully.It’s like he’s trying to see down into my soul, yet I don’t feel uncomfortable.He has a way of making you feel at home.
“Nah, I haven’t found anyone I’d like to spend my life with and I'm not holding out hope of that happening.”I flash him a sad smile.
“Dang, Winnie, that’s depressing.”
“Maybe, but I'm living the life I want and getting paid to do it.Why would I want to do anything else?”
“I guess that’s true.I'm getting paid to do what I love and I know I'm lucky… If this works out, I’d need you to live here.Are you ok with that?”
“Yes.I'm assuming I’ll have my own space?”
“Of course.There’s an in-law’s quarters with its own entrance.You’ll have a little kitchen, a living room, and your own bathroom in there.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“But I also travel a lot for work.”He runs a hand through his hair and looks uncomfortable.“I can be gone for a week sometimes.”
“I'm ok with that, though it has to be difficult to leave her for that long.How does she do with it?”
“Well, Martha’s been with me since she was born.She’s like a grandmom to Tali.I don’t know what’s going to happen now.I'm terrified she won't do well.”He drops his gaze to his little girl and presses a soft kiss to the top of her head.
“Can I ask what happened to her mom?”I ask slowly, knowing this could be a sore topic for him.
“She died while giving birth to Tali,” he whispers.
“I'm so sorry, Jamie.That’s got to be difficult.”
“It is, but we’re making it work.I'm glad I at least have a piece of Ellie left in my life.Tali looks just like her.”
“Really?I thought she looked just like you.”I brush Tali’s hairs away from her face that fell out of her ponytail.
“Nah, she has Ellie’s soft features.She only has my hair color and eyes.”
I watch them for a few seconds before I say anything else.They’re adorable together.He loves her so much and is trying to be both mother and father to her.
“Do you want to ask me anything?I feel like I’ve been interviewing you and that seems weird.”I drop my gaze to my hands before lifting my chin to meet his eyes, giving him a small smile.
“All I care about is if you’ll love my little girl like your own, take care of her, and protect her fiercely.”
“Is there something specific I need to protect her from?”I arch a brow, feeling like that’s a little strange.
“I’ve worked hard to keep her away from the media.I don’t think anyone knows she exists and I’d rather keep it that way.”
“Jamie… What do you do for a living?”I ask slowly, almost afraid to ask.
The Marshalls were wealthy and in the media quite often.I have no problem working for someone with a spotlight on them, but I want to know what I'm dealing with.I don’t want any surprises at all.
