Page 26 of This Baby Business
“I know.”
She covered her mouth with one hand, then lowered it. She shook both hands, fanning herself. “Forgive me. I’m just so surprised to see you here, with my granddaughter.”
And I’d been worried that the grandmother might be judgmental! She seemed like a perfectly delightful woman. “Well, it’s no problem.”
“I’m a huge fan of RockYourBaby. So are my daughters, and Sandy was, too. When she signed up for her baby shower, she chose every one of the brands you recommended.”
That certainly explained how Levi had all the brands.
“We loved your mother so much. I was very sorry to hear about her passing.”
“Thank you.”
“Honestly, I thought that was Grace in the photos on the website, but I kept telling myself I had to be wrong. But itisher, isn’t it?”
I swallowed hard. This felt suddenly so awkward. I hadn’t expected to meet a fan today. “Um…”
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she? So much like her mother.”
Actually, I thought Grace favored Levi, but I kept my mouth shut, simply nodding.
“Can I hold her?” Irene moved closer.
I handed Grace over, who took her attention away from the children playing and the trees long enough to glance at her grandmother with muted interest. She wasn’t green, after all. But Irene didn’t seem to mind the lack of recognition as she cuddled Grace close. She squirmed and tried to turn back to the children.
“She loves being outside,” I said, trying to explain.
“You must be so busy with all that you do for mothers and their babies. How did you meet Levi and Grace?”
“He’s my neighbor. And Levi wanted me to tell you that he is running late because his flight was delayed.”
Irene shook her head, clucking over Grace. “A pilot. I can’t imagine a much more dangerous profession. But look who I’m talking to. You believe in putting babies first. Always.”
“Yes, over at RockYourBaby, we definitely do.”
Why did I sound like a commercial?
“Levi will be here any minute now.” I glanced at the parking lot. Still no Levi.
Irene sat on the bench, and as I had suspected she would, began to inspect Grace from head to toe. She seemed satisfied and looked up to me. “I didn’t know what to think about Levi. I had hoped that he’d be a good father, but this is unacceptable. Not that it’s your fault, mind you. But his letting you use her as a model for your website. A baby shouldn’t have a job.”
“Oh, no! You’ve misunderstood.”
I’m the nanny, and I take photos of her for my website because I can’t afford a model. Also, she’s my guinea…research baby.None of it sounded right. I didn’t want one of my mom’s fans to know that it had come to this—me working as a nanny because the company was no longer doing so well.
I can’t afford for anything to go wrong. Not now. We’re so close.
I didn’t want Irene to know that RockYourBaby hung by the thinnest of threads. I needed this offer from the Cutting Edge.
Irene stared at me expectantly.
“See, Levi and I…”
What to do? What to say?
“We, um…” I studied my fingernails.
I’ve been following your career.
