Page 11 of Nanny for the SEAL

“Hey, sweetie. You want to go say hi? I think it would be good.”

Daisy grins through the nervous expression clouding up her face. “She called me a princess.”

“That’s because she’s very smart and can clearly spot royalty when she sees it.”

Giggling, Daisy nods, and I move out of the way so she can walk up the steps toward Ivy. As my daughter approaches her new nanny, or at least who could very likely be her new nanny, Ivy smiles, dipping low in a bow.

“Your majesty. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ivy. What’s your name?”

She grins. “I’m Daisy. Your name is a plant, too.”

Ivy’s brows go up as she nods with an impressed smirk. “It is. You’re very smart, Daisy. Tell me something, though.”

Daisy gets serious as Ivy puts on an intrigued expression and gestures for her to come closer.

Whispering in Daisy’s ear, Ivy leans over so that my daughter can hear. “Is a ‘daddy’ a kind of plant because I’ve been looking all over for one, and I can’t find it.”

It’s like a magic trick. All of a sudden, Daisy is cracking up, shaking her head as she says, “No. Daddy isn’t a plant. He’s a man.”

The tension that may have been there between them melts away, and Ivy takes a seat on the outdoor loveseat and pats the cushion for Daisy to sit next to her.

Surprisingly, again, the kid is all too happy to sit down and climbs up on the sofa with a bit of help from Ivy.

I stand and watch them from the edge of the porch, leaning against the post like last time, and time flies by as the two of them go from strangers to the best of friends. I can hardly believe it.

Even more, I can’t help but smile as they interact with each other. Daisy comes up with a million random questions to ask Ivy, giggling wildly at the funny answers that still manage to contain the actual answer.

It’s damn impressive.

Time stretches by, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away from Ivy. Her stunning green eyes framed by freckles sparkle with joy, and she effortlessly chats with Daisy like she’s known the kid forever.

Ivy’s hair is down this afternoon, the strawberry blond locks curling around her shoulders and rustling gently as the wind blows.

Dammit, how is she this…amazing?

Eventually, my phone beeps, and it pulls me out of the hypnotizing spell before me. I need to get Daisy inside for some food, and Ivy has more than entertained her for a while.

“Alright, sweetie. I think it’s time to get some food and let Ivy take her groceries inside. Can you say thank you for hanging out?”

Daisy frowns. “No! I don’t want to go. I’m having fun!”

My heart cracks. It’s something she never said when it was time for Laura to leave. “Oh, honey. It’s okay. Ivy is right next door. I’m sure we’ll see her very soon.”

Ivy picks up on the hint, and Daisy begrudgingly gets down from the couch and wanders over.

“Bye, Ivy.”

“Oh, Daisy. Like your dad said, I’ll see you again soon. Go get some food. I’m sure your dad needs some help cooking. Am I right?”

Daisy giggles. “He doesn’t! He calls the delivery boy.”

Hiding a laugh behind her hand, Ivy nods. “Oh, well, I see. Then I guess you’re safe.”

Furrowing my brow as I glare playfully at Ivy, I tell Daisy to head back over to our porch.

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Thank you, honey. I’ll be right there. I just want to tell Ivy something.”

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