Page 26 of The Nanny and the Hothead
Madelyn settled herself into the plush seat. “Take a right, then take your next left. We don’t have far to go. And I need you to listen closely. I have a lot to say and not much time to say it.”
He stopped at a red light. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve packed a few things for you. They’re in the back.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll have to leave quite early. You have a decent drive ahead of you.”
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I know.”
Since finding out that he was Oscar’s father, he’d done the drive a total of four times. Should he have gone to see the kid more often? Jesus, that was a hard one! Of course, once he learned the boy was his, he’d insisted on providing financially for Oscar. The first time he’d laid eyes on his son, he’d felt something pop in his chest—like a part of him he’d never known was there had come to life. But he’d pushed that emotion aside as an equally powerful realization hit. He had nothing besides money to offer anyone. The kid was better off without him. He was better off with Holly.
Holly.
The muscles in his chest tightened as a rush of heat flushed his cheeks.
“Oscar has lost his mother,” Madelyn said, her tone softening. “He’s losing the life he’s always known. Be prepared for some push-back. He is your son, and from what I understand, you were quite a rabble-rouser when you were younger.”
Mitch swallowed hard. “Something like that.”
Madelyn folded her hands and rested them in her lap. “These sixty days will be your time to bond. Don’t expect to get it right off the bat. There will be bumps in the road. This time is a gift, but you need to use it wisely. Ines shared with me that you also have a book to write.”
“The publisher wants a rough draft in sixty days,” he answered, keeping his eyes glued to the road.
“Then it’s good I’ve found the perfect nanny for your situation,” she remarked.
He glanced at the woman. “What if it’s not a match? What if I meet the nanny candidate, and I decide it won’t work?”
“Oh, it’s a match,” she answered, patting his arm—which wasn’t a real answer.
He had to change tack if he wanted to get anything out of her.
“When Rowen met Penny, she dropped by his office. Can you tell me about my nanny candidate? Her name? Her age? Has she cared for children before?” he rattled off.
Madelyn pointed out the window. “Park in the lot. We’re here.”
So much for getting any answers!
He parked the behemoth, taking up a few spots, then stared at the row of shops and restaurants.
He cut the ignition. “Where is here?”
“You’ll meet the nanny at that little bar on the end of the block,” she answered.
“A bar?” he exclaimed. “Why couldn’t you send her to the Crystal Cricket?”
Madelyn smoothed her scarlet scarf. “This match requires a neutral setting.”
He stared at the bar’s green awning as a group entered. “What does that even mean—a neutral setting?”
Madelyn unclasped her seatbelt. “It means what it means. And one last thing—a crucial element.”
He perked up. Now she was talking! He needed important information. “What is it?”
She frowned. “What did you do to the risotto tonight? The flavors were off.”
Shit! That was not the crucial information he’d wanted.
