Page 16 of Falling for the Bear Dad

Mya looked so serious, and when she said a list, she meant it. She’d found a notepad somewhere and laid it on the table next to the contract.

I told her to go on, hoping I had the answers she needed to hear. Contract or no contract, I wasn’t going to hold her to anything she wasn’t comfortable with.

“First, is it all right if we use the pool? We did today, but since you had it put away, I didn’t want to do it again without checking.”

“It’s fine. Just never leave him alone.” It was only about a foot-and-a-half deep, and I didn’t think she’d turn her back on him in the water, but I had to say it.

“Of course.” She checked it off. “Can I take him to the children’s museum? I looked online and there is one, and he says he’s never been.”

“I didn’t know there was one.” Which made me feel like a failure. My smart little cub would love that. “Yes, of course, you can take him.”

We continued down her list of questions, none of which so far had to do with her employment and all of which was to my son’s benefit. She’d done a lot of research and found all sorts of enrichment activities they could do together. How had I been so lucky as to have her show up in my driveway like that?

Speaking of which, I had a feeling I knew what her next question would be.

“It’s very nice of you to let me use your spare car, while mine is down, but did you have a chance to look into repairing it? I’m sure I won’t have enough to pay for parts or whatever it needs right away, but if I know what to save for, I could have them done as soon as I have enough of my salary put away.”

“I didn’t, but I will take a look before I go to the office in the morning as long as you don’t waylay me with delicious pancakes again.”

“Oatmeal, then?”

I chuckled. “Or something like that. And remember, you aren’t the cook and housekeeper here. I appreciate anything you do, but you’re being paid to watch and spend time with Benji.”

“I like cooking, and tidying is no big deal since I’m here anyway.”

“Myaaa, I want to take a bath.” Benji’s voice cut into our chat, and Mya was on her feet before I could remind her that she was done for the day.

“Coming, Benji.” The two of them were up the stairs, Benji’s hand tucked in hers while he discussed what kind of action his ducks had planned for this evening. I loved tubby time, but the two of them were having fun, so I held back and checked a few work emails, listening to giggles in the background.

When they emerged from the bathroom, Benji wearing his bear footie jams, I was waiting to take over. “Mya, I’ll read the story. You’ve had a long day.”

She clearly was tired, but I tried not to let it sting that they both looked disappointed. They were having fun, and I probably should have let them finish up. I’d have lots of chances to read a story. But Mya slipped out the door, so I settled in.

Chapter Fourteen

Mya

I left Benji with his dad, and my heart was heavy. These two had already stolen my heart after one day. I was in big trouble.

No work after dinner. That was what the contract had said.

But working for them didn’t feel like work.

I drifted downstairs, trying to put my feelings to the side. I was an employee, not a part of this family. I was the nanny.

So why did it hurt to know that my duties ended after dinner? I would miss every good night and jammies and silly things laughed about in the bathtub and hearing about Greyson’s day.

I rubbed a circle over the center of my chest and, despite the contract, got to work. Dinner was fantastic, thankfully. Pot roast was one of the things I was good at.

With the dishwasher open, I was loading up the plates when I heard footsteps behind me. Instead of saying anything about me working after dinner, he began washing off dishes while I loaded them in. We worked side by side and, in only a few minutes, the kitchen was clear.

Then I didn’t know what to do with myself.

“I forgot,” Greyson said, reaching into his bag. “I got you a phone today. I plugged our numbers in if you need me or my brother or my parents. Poison control, too.”

“Oh, thank you.” I accepted the phone, and our fingers brushed. I couldn’t help the shiver that ran through my body. “Benji is so good at picking up after himself. How did you manage that?”

Greyson looked around the room. “I’m gonna go get a quick shower and come back down to watch TV. Would you watch with me? We can talk.”