Page 20 of My Orc Nanny

We made sandwiches for lunch, then he taught me—or tried to teach me—how to play some racing video game on the television while Joshua napped. Afterward, we strapped the toddler to my chest and walked to the market, where I let Ben pick out dinner ingredients.

Burgers, thankfully, although Joshua hadn’t let go of the idea of squirrels tasting yummy.

I wasn’t sure if this counted as a successful first day on the job or not. So when we got home, I said to the two boys, “Hey, let’s go pick up your rooms. You can give me a tour.”

After all, I still didn’t know where I was supposed to be sleeping.

Ben was surprisingly enthusiastic about showing off his room to a virtual stranger. Once I saw all his posters from the national parks, I had a little more insight into his earlier questions, and I made a mental note to teach him more about woodlore or campfire cooking. Maybe we could even do a campout in the backyard?

He seemed excited about the suggestion, and I was able to get him to make his bed without complaint. He showed me his sister’s room—which was clearly decorated in theAll The Pink In The Entire World And Then Also A Bit More Pinktheme—but we didn’t go inside. Joshua’s room was last and surprisingly, the least messy.

There was his little bed, obviously converted from the crib, and a long dresser with a changing pad on top. And under the window…a single bed.

I frowned, looking around.

Was this what Hannah meant when she said she had an extra room? Was this the guest room? There were more toddler toys, and a small bookshelf full of kids’ books, but also an end table with a lamp and…

And a paperback with a half-naked male on the cover.

Frowning now, I bent over the bed and inhaled.

This wasn’t a guest bed.

Despite the neat covers and pillows, this was where Hannah slept.

And not just occasionally; she’d slept here last night. I would recognize her scent anywhere.

I glanced over at the toddler bed. She slept in Joshua’s room? Why? Was she that worried about him? Or did she just not sleep in the larger master bedroom?

And where did she expectmeto sleep?

I kept my questions to myself until after dinner—it was delicious, of course, and I spent it listening to Ben and Tova wax enthusiastic about their respective days, which felt good—and bathtime. As the big kids bathed upstairs, I offered to wash Joshua in the kitchen sink, and the look Hannah gave me made me feel like a hero.

She allowed me to participate in the bedtime routine, even if it was just as an observer. I noted the negotiation tactics she took with Joshua, and her firmness with Tova, and how she sat with her daughter and let the girl talk, even though I could tell Hannah wasn’t really listening.

The bedtime routines of three very different children took a long while, and I was impressed that, despite her obvious exhaustion, Hannah made time for each of them.

How could I help? I watched and pondered and took mental notes.

Because I wanted to participate. Not just to make her life easier, but becauseI wanted to participate. I wanted to be the one Tova prattled on at. I wanted to be the one Joshua snuggled with as I readBilly Bear Goes Swimmingfor the fourth time. I wanted to see Ben’s shy excitement and do what I could to encourage that.

And I wanted to make Hannah smile at me like a hero again.

“Whew,” she breathed as she closed Ben’s door behind her. Seeing me in the hallway, my arms crossed, leaning against the wall, she smiled. “We haven’t scared you off yet?”

“Far from it.” I straightened and began to move toward her. To my surprise, she met me halfway. “I had fun today, Hannah, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m glad…” Unbidden, my arms unfolded, one hand raising, the back of my claw going to her temple. “I’m glad you let me help,” I murmured, pushing a strand of hair off her brow as my excuse to touch her.

She’d stilled, and again, I caught a whiff of that sweetness.

There was no denying it; Hannah was aroused. Not completely, but there was something that spiked her interest.

And while myKteerhowled in glee at that, I forced my hand back by my side and reminded myself of the truth:Until Hannah expressed interest, I couldn’t take her body’s responses as permission or approval.

“I…” Her voice caught, and she looked away. “I’m glad. To have you here, I mean. And that you’re enjoying your time with us.”

More than enjoying. I wanted to tell her, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to scare her. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my position here in her life, with her family.

“Well!” she suddenly announced, too brightly, her stretch too big to be real. “I’m off to bed. Let me show you where you’ll be sleeping.”

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