Page 17 of My Orc Nanny

“Hannah?”

“Yep.” I squeezed his hand, then forced myself to drop it before I could melt under his touch any more. “That all sounds amazing. So…tomorrow at nine? I don’t have to be at work ‘til nine-thirty, so that should give us time…”

“I’ll be here at eight forty-five.” His smile looked…eager. Excited.

Excited to spend time with my kids. Withme.

I pressed my fingertips to my cheek. Yeah, I think Iwasfeverish. Or totally overwhelmed by this gorgeous male doing everything I’d ever dreamed of my prince charming doing.

Just wait ‘til he has to start on the potty training.

True.

Still…I couldn’t believe how lucky I’d gotten with Aswan.

And I couldn’t afford to do anything to screw it up.

Chapter Five

Aswan

I toldHannah I’d show up early for work on Monday morning, but that didn’t explain why I was parked outside her house at six in the morning.Tooearly? I spent some time ordering a bunch of stuff I thought I might need—car seats, a XXXL baby carrier, etc.—and then pacing a little.

I was just…excited.

Excited to start my new job? Well, yeah, okay. But more than that: I was excited to spend the day with the Woods family.

I’ll admit that on some level, I was thinking of them asminealready.

Little Joshua had stolen my heart with his enthusiasm and drool. Tova was sweet and open-minded and loved with all of her heart. And Ben? On a few levels, Ben reminded meofmyself, especially in the years after we crossed into the human world; confused, angry, and lost.

Remembering how he’d helped me with making the pizza on Saturday, and how he’d asked good questions, I pulled out my phone and ordered himCooking For Teens: How To Make Easy Food That Doesn’t Suck And Will Make Your Parents Respect Your Mad Skillz.

I mean, no idea what that meant, but putting a Z in anything makes it cooler, right? Maybe Ben would enjoy cooking with me, and we could tear down some more of those strange gender norm ideas he had.

What else…?

Oh yeah, the stroller.

Turned out, no one made strollers for orcs to push. Even the ones for “tall fathers” would still have me hunched over. Friday’s experience told me unless I wanted to carry Joshua strapped to me at every moment, I was going to need a stroller solution. I found the largest one online, and snapped a screenshot to send to Tarkhan.

Hey,are you awake?

I am now. Where are you?

At work. Look at this stroller. Could you design something to extend the handle? Make it taller so I don’t have to hunch over to push it?

Tarkan wasthe handiest of us. When we left Bramblewood Bluff, not only did he leave behind a bevy ofheartbroken ladies, but also his extensive workshop. When he didn’t answer right away, I knew he was contemplating the problem.

Finally he responded.

Yeah,I think so, even with the tools I have on hand. Can I do the mods at your place? The apartment is pretty small.

I hurriedto type out my response.

No problem.I’ll get clearance. We’ll have to wait until it’s delivered, but that gives you a few days to get the materials together.

Sounds good. Send me the website so I can pull the specs. I’ll stroll down to the hardware store today and see what they have in stock. If I have to buy a miter saw, can I stash it in your car?

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