“You’re sure.”
“Completely. But if you want to see for yourself, I’m meeting her at the park on Thursday morning. Feel free to come check her out. It’s not like it would be the first time you’ve ‘accidentally’ been there at the same time as us.” She made quotes with her fingers.
Ah. And here he’d thought he’d gotten away with checking up on them. “Sorry, I?—”
“I get it, especially after your former nanny’s behavior. It’s a weighty thing to be responsible for a child.”
“You’re right, it is.” He was so thankful that Charlotte had a nanny who understood. He watched the little girls on the dance floor, debating. Decision made, he leaned toward her. “That woman whose photo I just showed you?”
“What about her?”
“She’s kind of a”—he felt stupid saying the word aloud but forced it out—“stalker. She thinks she and I are…fated to be together.” He glanced Miss Wright’s way, confirming that he had her full attention. “If you ever feel like you’re being watchedagain, please let me know immediately. And don’t be afraid to call the police.”
“I will.”
“And if you ever see Lena, assume she wants trouble, and keep your distance.”
Miss Wright looked at him and held his eye contact. “Do I need to be worried?”
“Just watchful, please.” He’d do enough worrying for the both of them.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The music stopped, and the studio door burst open like a dam breaking, releasing a flood of tutu-clad little girls into the waiting area.
Delaney followed Mr. Aylett out of the viewing area to meet Charlotte.
She emerged from the chaos, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on her uncle.
Her face transformed—not into the reserved smile Delaney had grown accustomed to, but into something brilliant and unguarded. She didn’t run to him, didn’t call out his name, but her entire being seemed to vibrate with joy as she made her way slowly, as if afraid sudden movement might make him disappear.
“Uncle Noah,” she whispered when she reached them, and though her voice was barely audible, it carried more emotion than Delaney had heard from her in weeks.
Mr. Aylett crouched to his niece’s eye level. “Hey there, Charlie-Bear. You looked beautiful out there.”
She ducked her head, watching him through her eyelashes, pleased at his compliment.
A redheaded girl bounced over, her freckled face bright with excitement. “Charlotte, is that your daddy?”
Charlotte’s fingers gripped her tulle tutu. “He’s my uncle.”
“I’m Shanyn,” the redhead announced, extending a small hand toward Mr. Aylett.
Mr. Aylett shook her hand with grave formality. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Shanyn.”
The girl dissolved into giggles.
A woman with the same fiery hair and freckles as Shanyn approached, grinning at her daughter’s boldness. “I’m Lisa.” She extended her hand to Delaney first. “Shanyn talks about Charlotte all the time. They’ve become quite the pair.”
“Delaney Wright.” She shook the woman’s hand. “I’m Charlotte’s nanny.”
“Noah Aylett.” He shook her hand as well. “Her uncle.”
“We’re heading to Dockside Burgers for an early dinner. Would you like to join us?”
Mr. Aylett glanced down at Charlotte. “What do you think? Do you want to go get burgers?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened, her shy grin suddenly wide. She nodded, then looked up at Delaney expectantly.
