Three.Three nannies have walked off the job over the course of a fourteen-day period.
It makes no sense. Cameron’s a great kid. I’m not being a biased parent when I say that. He’s smart and funny and he has the biggest heart.
Clearly,I’mthe problem, because I keep hiring the flakiest nannies in all of the Midwest.
But I don’t dare tell Cynthia that. I don’t want to give her yet another thing to stress over right now.
She and I didn’t always see eye to eye when we were married, and we certainly don’t now. But we get along well enough, and we’re pretty great at this co-parenting thing. That’s the only reason she was even open to this trial run of Cameron moving to Fairy Bush with me.
After the divorce, life in Chicago became downright overwhelming for all of us. But it was particularly hard on Cameron. It started reflecting in my son’s grades, and in his overall personality. I’m hoping desperately that my boy will benefit from the slower pace of this small town where I grew up.
This change has been a big sacrifice for all of us, and the transition has been anything but smooth. But Cameron and Cynthia need me to step up to the plate. I’m doing the best I can. I’m just worried that it won’t be enough.
The distinct rattle of an engine catches my attention, distracting me from the conversation at hand. The noise grows louder and louder, until it sounds like it’s just outside the house.
I peek through the blinds again in time to catch a tall, athletic woman climbing off her moped, tucking a helmet under her arm, and strutting up the driveway. All in her skin tight, ripped jeans.
Ugh.Her.
She just showed up and I’m annoyed already.
I’d been hoping Jules wouldn’t be at tonight’s party. I don’t like her.At all.
She’s bossy, loud, unpredictable.
And,fine—she’s a fucking wet dream.
With her shiny black bob, her leather biker boots, and that tough girl vibe, there’s just…somethingabout her.
I reach down to adjust the suddenly-tight crotch of my dress pants, irked by the instant hard-on this woman caused me. Irked by the fact that I can’t take my eyes off of her perky ass. Irked that I can’t look away until she enters Easton’s front door and disappears inside the house.
Ever since coming back to Fairy Bush, I’ve been doing my best to steer clear of her. Unfortunately, I have a suspicion I’ll be seeing a lot more of Jules in the future. She’s my brand new sister-in-law’s best friend.She and Alba have been two peas in a pod since high school. Somehow, the years since graduation haven’t put a dent in their connection. Like it or not, crossing paths with Jules on a regular basis may well be outside of my control as long as I’m in this town.
It bothers me to no end.
I turn my back on the window and return my attention to my conversation with Cynthia. “Look, just take care of yourself, okay? That’s what you need to focus on right now. Take the time you need to focus on you, so you can be the mom our son needs. You both deserve it.”
Despite our differences, I’m eternally grateful to my ex-wife for her patience and support in those early years when I worked eighty-hour weeks to get my bachelor’s degree in sports management and get a law degree I’ve never even used all while building up my sports agency. When we met, I was nothing but a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, but Cynthia stood by me as I chased all ofmybig dreams.I feel like I owe her for everything she did for me and for our son.
So, now it’s time for me to step in for Cynthia while she recovers from the burnout caused by her demanding, corporate job.
After years of incinerating the candle at both ends—being a career woman in a competitive fieldandcarrying the bulk of the responsibilities of taking care of a home, her body and mind are paying the price. I won’t pretend to understand what she’s going through. But I know Cynthia—if she’s turning to me for help, she mustreallyneed it, and I’m willing to offer all the support I can. It’s only fair that I help her in her time of need, regardless of the fact that we’re divorced.
She lets out a tired sigh. “You’re right, Lincoln. Thank you. Seriously. Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Are you kidding me? Cynthia, you took care of everything while I was trying to get my agency off the ground. Now, I can finally say that I’m financially stable, and I’m glad to return the favor. Even if we aren’t married anymore.”
I hear the smile in her voice when she speaks again. “You’re a good man, Lincoln Raines. You’re gonna sweep some lucky lady off her feet one day.”
I snort, unable to resist the opportunity to poke some fun at Cynthia. “Psht. Really? My ex-wife says I’m not all that.”
Cynthia chokes out a laugh. “Oh, shut up.”
I’m in no rush to sweep anyone off their feet again. And there’s no way I’deverremarry. At this point in my life, any kind of romantic relationship would just be a distraction.
Itwouldbe nice to get my rocks off, though. Damn—it’s been two years already.
My ex’s yawn comes barreling over the line, reminding me that it’s getting late. “Give our son a kiss for me.”
