Page 10 of This Baby Business
He accepted it. “But you said just for today.”
I waved a hand in the air, in a pay-no-attention-to-me-before-noon move. “That was before. Okay, here’s the thing. I can help you, and let’s be honest here, youneedme.”
He studied me, took a swig of his beer, but didn’t say a word. Maybe Rookie Daddy had finally wised up and decided he shouldn’t leave his baby with a complete stranger. He got points for that.
I chose my next words carefully. “I kind of have this baby advice website.”
“I heard.”
Of course. If he worked at the airport, he worked with Cassie. And Cassie was an old friend of the family. I let out a breath. “I’m running the baby website RockYourBaby, but I don’t have any kids of my own.”
“Heard that, too.” He quirked an eyebrow, and in that single move I realized he was less than thrilled with the fact that I hadn’t come out with the whole truth this morning.
But I hadn’t exactly lied. What did my mom’s accountant say? Emphasize the positive, ignore the negative. Sell it! “But I’m still a baby expert.”
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t sound too convinced.
“Look, all I’m saying is that I can watch Grace until you find a new sitter. If you’re not sure about me, I’d be happy to give you references. I’ve lived here in Fortune all my life, and I’m extremely reliable. I’m always home. I don’t even have a boyfriend to take up my time. Or a dog or a cat. Besides, I’m right next door.”
“And how will you watch her and run your company?”
This suddenly felt like an interview, and I wished I’d prepared better. I’d done too much assuming that Levi would immediately take me up on this idea. But I’d become better at selling in the past few months, out of sheer necessity. If I told a little white lie every now and again, no one was the wiser.
Balance. It was all about balance. I’d do it as mothers all over the country did. Like the readers of my blog did. Like my mother had.
“I can handle her. I’m great at time management.” Boy, the lies kept coming, didn’t they? Getting easier, too. “And also, Grace—and babies everywhere, in fact—happens to be a big part of my career. Because babies are my business.”
I did a chin lift on that one, as I’d noticed Jill do on a number of occasions when she wanted to make the point that she was hot stuff.
Levi seemed to notice and maybe even appreciate the new confidence. His shoulders lowered, and he gave me another one of those slow, sexy smiles. “It would be a big help to me. I’m out of the air force recently. Originally from Texas.”
Hence the drawl. I pictured hot and humid plains, oil, ranches and cowboys. Levi didn’t look like a cowboy, even if he sort of sounded like one. And something told me that it was just a matter of time before Levi knew a lot of people in the area—mainly those of the female persuasion.
“I know a lot of people in Fortune,” I said. “I’m practically a fixture here. And I can try to find you the perfect babysitter.”
“A grandma type?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“I want someone who really likes kids. Someone who will stick around for a while. I don’t need a whole lot of help, except for when I’m at work. But maybe she needs a woman’s touch.”
When he threw another one of those protective glances at Grace, and this time rubbed his jaw against her little semi-bald head, my knees turned to elastic rubber bands. “Yes,” I managed to squeak out. “Good idea.”
“There’s another problem.” Levi shifted Grace in his arms. “I can’t pay you much right now. That seemed to be an issue for Annie.”
“No worries. Pay me what you can, when you can.” In fact, any money at all would be welcome.
Maybe I should payhim.
“Are there any grandparents nearby?” I asked conversationally and got myself a beer.
“No one nearby. My parents are out of the country right now, working with the World Health Organization.”
“Impressive. How long have they been doing that?”
“All my life, really, but there’s more time for it now that they’re retired.”
“If I can ask, how did you lose your wife?”
