Page 7 of Nanny for the SEAL

I smile, addressing him as I would anyone who was looking to hire me, even as my stomach clenches over the tension rising during this little back-and-forth dance we’re doing.

“As a part of my first year on the job and during my last year of college, I obtained my Child Development Associate certification as well as the Advanced Child Care Training certification. I am certified in first aid and CPR, as well as basic water safety. I’m also technically certified as a Newborn Care Specialist, but I’ve yet to use it. The youngest age we admitted into the center was six months. But I wasn’t sure, so I took the exam just tobe sure. I also know there is a specific nanny certification, and I would be happy to take it while I am beginning my service for you. If understood, it is a forty-question test. So, I imagine that I could have it completed for you in about a month.”

Xaden is speechless, and I can see him fighting the instinct to let his jaw drop. A smug satisfaction ripples through me, and I can’t help but grin widely back at him.

I love it when my hard work pays off, and I love it even more when the hours and hours of effort I put into those things show people how serious I am.

After being an unlucky kid who barely got out of the system after proving herself with a similar testing situation, I quickly learned the value of demonstrating and solidifying your capabilities.

“Well, I’ll admit that is a lot more than the last person had to offer.” Xaden regards me, chewing on the inside of his cheek as his eyes roam my face. “I will consider your application, Ms. Campbell. And thank you for being so forthright. I’m assuming you wouldn’t mind if I verified the information with your previous employer?”

“Of course not. Tell Margaret hi for me. I miss her.”

He grins, taking my joke, and dammit, he needs to stop with all the effortlessly handsome. He’s even got a dimple right on his cheek.

I continue to be doomed.

“Well, I need to get back inside. Daisy isn’t going to last much longer with Ms. Rachel. She thinks it’s a baby show. My four-year-old.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Kids.”

Laughing, I offer a little wave as Xaden turns around and walks back over to his place. I stare for too long at his ass in those tight jeans before shaking out of it and dragging myself back inside.

I’ll admit that this job opportunity, however oddly it entered my life, sounds like a much better move than hitting the local coffee shop while I do the rounds.

And knowing what he does for a living, he probably pays well, too.

The door creaks as I open and shut it, locking up behind me. The deadbolt sticks a little, and the chain on the door looks about as strong as an uncooked noodle, but they’ll have to do until I can hit up Lowe’s for a better option.

Which, hey, might not be too long from now, thank God.

Not that money is the only thing I think about, but a girl’s got to eat, and I need safety even more.

Blowing out a long breath, I think back to Wildflower. I didn’t want to leave. I really didn’t, but after I found out that…

Yeah, there was no staying, Ivy. You know that.

As I shut the curtains, glancing across my porch just to be sure, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I’m not expecting much in the way of notifications, so when I pull it out and see the text icon, I’m more than a little surprised.

I look around the new house, at the faded, torn wallpaper, the dust caked in the corners, and the bare cupboards and counters in the kitchen that stretch out next to the living room where I stand.

I’m totally alone. There is no one else in this house. But my spine tingles all the same, and then I glance back down at my phone, forcing myself to unlock the screen.

I click on the little envelope icon, and it pulls up the message from an unknown number.

You can’t run forever, Ivy.

“Shit.”

I swallow hard, my stare raking around the house. I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help it, and before I know it, I’m looking out the windows over the driveway and road in front of it.

He’s not there. No one is there.

“Calm down, Ivy. He didn’t find you. How the hell would he? You told no one where you were moving, and this is bumfuck nowhere. You’re fine.”

I repeat the words to myself, “You’re fine,” over and over again until they’re unintelligible. I need them to sink in. I need them to be true.

And sure, the logic says they are, but I do not believe it.

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