Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
But the fact remains that I never would have come to Bad Dog if it weren’t for the nanny job. I found it on a job board for nannies and au pairs. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t know this small town even existed, let alone have met this special single dad.
It’s a conundrum. A cruel twist of fate.
And sadly, it looks like I’m going to have a hell of a time finding a rebound guy who’s not a McGuire.
At story time at the library later that morning—a weekly event Sarah Beth and I learned about on our book collecting mission yesterday—I sneak over to the computers while Sarah is listening to a truly gripping rendition of Little Red Riding Hood. I settle in to do a little genealogy research at one of the public computers and realize the bartender the night I met Drew wasn’t kidding. A good fifty percent of the town’s population seems to be full-blooded McGuire or McGuire adjacent.
So, it’s probably good that Wren and I are headed outside the city limits for Friday Night Fun Times tomorrow night. Maybe there will be some fresh blood at Bubba Jump’s. The club sounds like something that would be more at home in Kentucky than Minnesota, but I like it. It seems like a place that isn’t taking itself too seriously and after a week of taking myself way too seriously, I’m down for that.
I close the browser and head back to story time, taking a seat with the parents and babysitters in the chairs behind the colorful carpet where the kids are seated criss-cross applesauce. On my way, I notice a cute woman with warm brown eyes watching me with a curious expression. I smile her way, and she lights up.
A beat later, she’s in the empty chair next to mine, whispering, “So, you’re Drew’s new nanny? I’m Sofia by the way.”
“Tatum,” I whisper back. “And yes, I started this week.”
“So cool! How’s it working out so far? I applied for the job but didn’t get it.” She waves a hand, hurrying to add, “But that’s fine, I actually love Conrad, the little boy I watch now. My boyfriend just thought I should apply since it was a higher salary then what I’m getting. So, are you local? I can’t remember seeing you around before.”
“No, I moved here from Kentucky,” I say. “And it’s working out well so far. Drew’s so nice and I adore Sarah Beth. She’s the sweetest kid.”
Her gaze softens. “She really is. She was always the first one to share her toys at Gym with Me when she was a toddler. Drew stopped bringing her because one of the other girls kept pushing her down and pulling her hair, but we really enjoyed Sarah Beth.” She lowers her voice even further to whisper, “Wish we could have kept Sarah Beth in the class and gotten rid of Martha. I hate to speak ill of little ones, but that kid is a menace.”
I frown. “That’s horrible. Drew didn’t tell me that.”
Sofia’s brows lift. “No? I would have thought he would have warned you. Martha’s still around. She’s actually here today.” She nods toward the carpet. “The girl with the blond curls and the pink sweater.”
My frown deepens. “Huh. She looks like a Victorian doll.”
“Looks can be deceiving, friend,” Sofia says. “Keep an eye on that one.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” I say as the storyteller finishes and the kids are invited up to get a packet of seeds to plant in the spring, just like Red Riding Hood did in the reimagined tale.
“Of course.” Sofia beams my way. “And welcome to Bad Dog. Hope to see you around.”
“Same, thanks,” I say, truly impressed by the kindness of almost everyone I’ve met in the community so far.
No sooner has the thought passed through my head than a very unkind little blonde shouts, “Go away, ugly stupid,” and shoves Sarah Beth.
I’m in motion before she hits the carpet.
Chapter Fourteen
DREW
I’m just finishing up a meeting with Rick and a few of our senior staff when my phone rings. It’s a number I don’t recognize, but with a local area code, so I answer on the second ring, “Andrew McGuire speaking.”
“Drew McGuire, you’d better come rein in your help right now,” a vaguely familiar voice screeches, loud enough to make me pull my cell away from my ear. “She’s trying to get Martha banned from the library!”
“Carrie?” I ask, my stomach sinking. I’ve managed to avoid Carrie Cummings the past two years, pulling out of Gym with Me and avoiding the community pool in the summers to keep Sarah Beth safe from her out of control child.
“Of course, it’s Carrie,” she says, her pitch sliding to an even more ear-piercing decibel. “And that nanny of yours is a red-headed menace. She’s picking on an innocent little girl, and I won’t stand for it. Come make this right this minute or you can forget any more work from my husband or family. You hurt my little girl and I’ll make your bottom line hurt, McGuire. You can count on that.”