Page 13 of Nanny for the SEAL

In any case, being around a kid—doing what I love—has helped me to feel like myself again, and it’s with a much lighter heart that I head into the kitchen to figure out what I can eat.

I’m aware of Xaden’s poor cooking skills and reliance on delivery, so I’m not optimistic about the options.

It’s just then that I remember hearing the front door open and close while I was taking Daisy upstairs. Xaden must have come home to work in his office for the afternoon.

He told me it was a strong possibility, and as I walk to the kitchen, I peer down the hallway that leads further into the house past the stairs.

In the quiet, I can hear the clicking of keyboard keys in the distance and a squeaky office chair.

“Hard at work.” I chuckle softly, going back to my plans for finding food.

The kitchen is about as stocked as I expected, but I do find some macaroni noodles and butter. Mix in some Italian seasoning, and I’ve got an honest-to-goodness lunch.

I find a pot and start boiling water for the pasta. As I wait, I can’t help but wander around a little.

The house is cozy for how large it is, but it is minimally decorated. And not because Xaden is leaning into that ultra-modern minimalist style.

There are photos and pillows, and the textures are soft so that Daisy can pretty much play everywhere. But aside from the kid-friendly stuff and toys, there isn’t much that expresses Xaden’s personality.

It’s obvious that he gets things for her,nothimself.

I meander to the mantle above the grand living room fireplace. The dark wood is beautiful, and on top of it are a handful of photos and a few generic knick-knacks, the likes of which you’d see in a model home, not someone’s actual house.

In the pictures, Xaden and Daisy are smiling so damn big. It’s a joy to see them so happy, and I notice that they’re not alone either.

There’s a woman with them. She’s strikingly beautiful, her green eyes the mirror of Daisy’s.

“Huh,” I mumble, surmising that it has to be her mom.

But there are only these four pictures. I don’t see others hanging on the wall, except for one near the front door.

And that one is just Xaden and Daisy from probably a year ago.

Where’d you go, lady?

“That’s Daisy’s mom.”

Xaden’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I jump. “Jesus! You scared me.”

As I turn around, Xaden is smirking, doing his best to avoid laughing. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “It’s fine.”

And then what he said hits me. I turn back toward the mantle, eyeing the photos.

“Oh. I kind of wondered. Where, umm…”

But I can’t finish the question, feeling a little like I was just caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Thankfully, Xaden takes the reins.

“She passed away in a car accident.”

My stomach clenches as my jaw drops open. I immediately falter, my hands going to my mouth.

“Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Xaden. I didn’t mean to drag that up. That’s awful.”

He nods, but there’s a vacant expression on his face like he’s gone somewhere else in his mind.

“It’s alright.” He sucks in a breath, shaking his head as he visibly pulls himself out of wherever he just went. “I’m sure you were wondering. It’s normal to be curious why I need a nanny.”

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