Page 6 of Nanny for the SEAL

Something in my brain clicks as he introduces himself, and I’m sitting upright with a jerk.

“Wait. Xaden Ledger like from Xemplary Technologies?”

He raises his brows, clearly a bit surprised, but nods. “Yes, actually. How do you know of my company?”

“Ha!” I smile, setting my mug down on the small table I brought outside. “There are few in New York who don’t. I used to live there.”

Xaden sucks in a breath, nodding as the corners of his mouth turn down. “I see. Had to admit I wondered where you moved from. Not a lot of people relocating to Red Lodge, you know?”

“Yeah.” I swallow down the discomfort that arises whenever I think about why I left the city. “I needed a change of pace, and it’s…definitely slower here.”

“That it is.”

“I’m I’m Ivy Campbell.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Campbell.”

We hang in silence for a moment, but then I remember who that woman actually was and how badly I’m in need of a job.

“Hey, I’m sorry that happened with your nanny. No one should have to deal with someone stealing from them when they’re just trying to take care of their kid. And if you need a new nanny, I actually used to work in childcare in NYC.”

Xaden frowns, stepping back slightly, and I can tell that he’s immediately more on edge. I know he had a rough go with his nanny, extremely recently, in fact, but I’ll admit to being a bit surprised by the obvious reticence.

“I’m sorry, what? Are you…asking for a job?”

He smirks slightly, but it’s more an attempt to dislodge that scowl he’s fighting back.

Shaking my head, I put my hand to my chest, an old habit when I’m trying to prove I’m not the one lying.

“I’m sorry, Xaden. I just thought that you might need help since you’re short a nanny now. I’m not trying to pull one over on you or take advantage of the situation. I really do work in childcare.”

“Apologies, it’s just hard to believe I’m actually that lucky. Especially considering what happened yesterday. What did you do?”

“I worked for a childcare center in New York. Wildflower Children’s Center. I was one of several teachers there. The place was much more like a mini school than a typical daycare center. We prided ourselves on providing excellent education to prepare kids for preschool and beyond. We hosted summer school programs, did advanced learning units, and paid close attention to nutrition and daily comfort. Happy kids learn the best after all.”

Narrowing his eyes on me, Xaden crosses his arms again. I can tell it’s his little habit of choice, and I raise my brows with a patient smile.

He begins to nod like he’s bobbing his head to nonexistent music, and he really is too cute. It’s going to be a thing working for him if I do wind up getting that chance.

Which, if I am honest with myself, is a move I made out of sympathy and desperation. I do feel bad that he was saddled with a thief, and I reallydoneed to make some money. I have bills to pay like everyone else.

“How long were you there?”

“I started right after I got my bachelor’s in early childhood education, so four years.”

I’m still beholden to that critical gaze, and I take this questioning as an impromptu interview. Xaden is clearly very protective of his daughter, which he should be, and he’s also very obviously gun-shy about hiring someone new.

Understandable. So bring it. I’m more than happy to answer your questions.

“Four years? So you’re only twenty-six?”

“Hmm, actually, twenty-five. I graduated high school earlywhen I was seventeen.”

His eyes widen, and I’m not sure what expression flickers to the surface only to be squashed down. Xaden’s brows pinch together for only a second, and he blinks so rapidly it was like I overloaded him with information.

He shakes himself, bringing his attention back to me.

“Do you have any certifications that make you a good candidate for a live-in nanny?”

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