Page 10 of Cedarwood Manny

“For Kyle?”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re going to do so well you’ll take my job and Kyle won’t even miss me—which sucks because I love that kid.”

“You’re the one getting married?” Nathan blurted. He hadn’t known she was the one mentioned in the rumors. “Since when?” He’d thought she told him everything.

“Last night.”

“Your doc proposed?”

“Who else?”

He sounded silly. “I’m sorry, but you shocked me,” he said. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Now, about Kyle and Adrien… Let me give you some pointers. Adrien, Dr. Ellet, never thought he’d be a dad. He’s a dentist and that’s the only way he sees himself. Until he married Gerry, he never thought he was capable of fathering a child. He was wrong. He’s been through a lot in the last two years—the divorce, being a single father and keeping his practice afloat. He needs stability. Kyle is little—he’s four—but he’s smart and he knows Daddy’s not happy. He understands Daddy Gerry left and isn’t coming back. He and Adrien need glue—which is you.”

“And you’re not keeping the job because you’re marrying his partner?” Nathan asked. He hated when she rhymed, but at least she hadn’t said it in a sing-song manner. He wasn’t one of her charges.

“Right.”

He scrubbed his forehead. He needed time to process the information.Single dad, divorce, stability…Damn it, he was in over his head. “What do I say? How do I prove I’m the one for the job?” He wanted to save Adrien and be the manny Kyle needed.

“Be yourself,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing. Adrien already likes you.”

He does?“How do you know?”

“He gushed about you last night when he arrived home—after your date.”

“It wasn’t a date. We ran into each other and he dumped coffee on me.” He hadn’t tried to get the java stain out of his shirt yet.

“Close enough. If you can get him nervous, then that’s something. He’s normally chatty, but cool. He doesn’t let many people in,” Kelsi said. “So before you get pissed, I called in a favor. I know how Adrien is and if he not only mentioned meeting you, but said he was excited to see you again, then that’s something. I told Cheryl you’d be a good fit for this situation and she agreed. She doesn’t know you met him, but you’re the right one on paper.”

“What if it doesn’t work?” He hated to be negative, but he saw the downsides to being employed by the Ellets.

“Don’t sweat it. You’re thinking too hard and not letting nature work for you.”

She could be too damn positive for her own good. But she had a point. He blew out a long breath and closed his eyes. He could handle anything, especially a four-year-old and his handsome father. “Okay, give me the rest of the lowdown. I’m ready.”

“Good boy,” she said. “I told you the biggest points about Adrien. As for Kyle, he’s sweet and adventurous. He loves to draw and is trying to read. He loves books, so library trips are a must. I’ve taken him to the art museum over in Spirewood and it seemed to go over well.”

“You’ve covered all the important points concerning Adrien?” he asked.

“Dr. Ellet?” she corrected.

“Yes.”Jesus.He’d already resorted to calling his potential employer by his given name.

“He’s nice, but cool and loves structure. He has a schedule. It’s not crazy or impossible, but follow it and be Kyle’s manny—do that and you’re good.”

“Got it.”

“You have to help Adrien. He’s a brilliant dentist, but parenting isn’t his forte. He doesn’t know what to do—which is why you’re there. Show him and he’ll be fine. He might even realize he’s not so bad after all.”

“I see.”Talk about a challenge…

“He loves Kyle, but he needs direction. That’s where you come in. Help him. Show Adrien how to parent and if you hit it off, then great,” Kelsi said.

“You think I’ll fall for him?”

“Don’t have to think. You already did.” She laughed. “You’re in so deep.”

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