Elodie is shaking with laughter. “Oh my God, that sounds amazing. What’s the title of that book?”
“I’ll leave you two to chat,” I say as I make my way across the lawn, over to where Laney is standing with Fletcher.
“Hey. Everything okay with you and Elodie?” Laney asks while greeting my daughter. “Sorry for spilling the beans. Seems to be my role lately, but I figured she would have told you by now.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
“In her defense, she wasn’t sure she was even going to do it. I kind of pressured her.”
“It’s fine. I mean, music is her passion. She should be performing, and she should be excited about it.”
I peer down at my daughter, not wanting Laney to see the conflict in my eyes—because I’m crazy about Elodie, and probably crazy for letting myself give in to what I feel for her as well.
The truth is, as much as I’m thrown off by her impending performance, I’m fucking proud of her too. She’s not giving up on what she wants for her life, so why should I be angry? If anything, that type of action makes my feelings grow for her even more.
Fuck. I’m falling for my nanny.
I shake my head. “Never in a million years did I think I’d find myself in this situation.”
Laney rubs my shoulder. “I felt the same way when Fletcher came back into town, but look how that ended up, Henley. Life has a funny way of putting you on the path you’re meant to take, something I’m beginning to trust even more as I get older. Just don’t give up hope.”
Hope is the last thing I’ve ever relied on—because the last time I did, my parents never returned and I told myself I’d never again get my hopes up about anyone staying.
Chapter 18
Henley
In Sickness & In Health
“Fuck. I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve been on these slopes.” Pulling my goggles from my face, I turn to see Warren doing the same.
“You’re missing out, buddy. You become the boss and all of a sudden you’ve forgotten how to have fun.”
“No, I’m just participating in a new type of fun these days,” I reply. “I about lost my shit the other night when Remy rolled over twice back-to-back. And then she tried to crawl.”
Warren’s blank expression makes me laugh. “Wow. Life sure is different for you now, isn’t it?”
I rip off my hat and shove it in the pocket of my snowboarding jacket. “Sure is, but I fucking love it.”
“Daddy Henley. Never thoughtI’d see the day.”
I reach down and unbuckle the strap on one of my boots, releasing my foot from the snowboard so I can make my way over to a bench. Warren follows me. “You and me both, but hell, Warren. That little girl is the light of my life.”
And so is my nanny.
Staring out at the slope we just ran down, the chill in the air bites my cheeks while the white powder nearly blinds me. It’s the first week of November, and the first snow fell. Warren was insistent that I join him for a run, and since I couldn’t remember the last time I had, I relented, leaving home earlier than normal to make sure we had ample time. Five passes later, and my heart rate is pumping, that familiar adrenaline that I used to chase returning with a vengeance.
“And what about Elodie? How’s that going?” Warren bounces his eyebrows as he glances in my direction.
“That’s none of your business.”
He shoves at my shoulder. “Aw, come on. Anyone with two eyes can see that you’re head over heels for her.”
I stare down at my hands, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, well she’s only here until Christmas, so not sure where that leaves us.”
The truth is, after yoga last week, I’ve sort of been living in denial, soaking up every moment that I can with her while ignoring the fact that our time together is dwindling by the day. However, I’m having a hard time containing my alter ego, gorilla man, with her impending performance at Hart Winery this coming weekend.
Part of me just wants to come out and ask her what her plans are, if she’s still planning on leaving or if I should plan a date so I can tell her how I feel and attempt to put some demons to rest by planning a future with her. But if I do, she’s going to ask me what I want, and I’m not ready to voice it out loud—partly because it involves using wordsI’ve never told anyone but my sister, and the thought of saying them to her, only for her to leave scares the shit out of me.
