Page 105 of Nanny for the SEAL

I laugh. “Not a lot of eligible bachelors at the coffee shop?”

“That’d be a no,” Sam offers. “You know, unless I’m looking for a seventeen-year-old or a fifty-five-year-old divorcee.”

“Oof, slim pickings for sure.” I sigh, thinking back to the move and landing my job with Xaden. “Well, don’t give up. I didn’t plan on finding the love of my life right next door or becoming his nanny first, but here we are. Life’s funny like that.”

Sam nods slowly. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. We’ll see, I suppose.”

I’m about to rattle off some more words of encouragement when my phone buzzes on the table.

“Oh, it’s probably Xaden checking in.”

Cocking her head at me, Sam turns the corners of her mouth down. “He do that a lot?”

“No, no. It’s not like that. He gets worried because of his past experiences. I don’t mind reassuring him.”

Picking up my phone, I swipe it open to see I have a text message from an unknown number. It’s not the same one as before because I took Xaden’s advice.

I blocked that number, and I even sent an email to the non-emergency services account the Red Lodge police offer. It’s not a restraining order or anything yet, but it’s a start.

“Everything okay?” Sam furrows her brow at me when I look up.

“Oh, I’m sure it’s just spam or something.”

I go to the message to block this new number and then delete it when I finally see the contents of the text.

“What the…” My words trail off, and unable to stop myself, I stand up in my chair.

Scanning the patio and what I can see of the street through the gaps and the gate that leads back here, I look for those familiar eyes that have haunted me for years.

As far as I can tell, there’s nothing, but my pulse won’t stop racing and goosebumps have rippled over my entire body.

All I can hear is the furious pounding of my blood in my ears as I turn back to my phone and reread the message.

Peek-a-boo, Vivi. Looks like your time’s up. Better say goodbye to your friend.

THIRTY-SIX

Xaden

It’s a little later than I expected when Ivy walks in through the front door. I’ve already put Daisy to bed, which is no big deal, but the moment Ivy is inside, I can tell something is bothering her.

“Hey, babe. What’s wrong? You look very on edge.”

She doesn’t respond right away, hanging up her coat and scarf and ditching her shoes for slippers. When she walks over, she goes straight into my arms and lies her head down on my chest.

“Oh, damn. Okay.” I stroke her hair. “What’s up, hun?”

Shaking her head against me, I feel her tense before she lifts her head and meets my eyes.

“I’m not sure if I’m overreacting, but I…I think my father is here. I was out with Sam, right, and I got this text message at lunch. It was…I’m scared, Xaden.”

Panic grips me, but I’m not about to let that affect Ivy. She needs me to be level right now, and I won’t have it harm the pregnancy because she’s so stressed.

“Hey, I’m right here. You’re safe.” I kiss her, holding her face in my hands. “Is that why it took you so long to get home?”

Ivy shrugs. “Sort of. I was trying to distract myself and keep Sam from worrying. I had her take me to a movie where there were lots of people, and I sent the message to that email.”

Looking down at her intensely, I make sure Ivy can feel my hands grounding her. “Hey, I’m proud of you. I know it’s hard to send that stuff and open these wounds again. You did the right thing.”

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