Page 10 of Kent's Honor
“I see.” Dixie never liked her personal business being discussed behind her back, but she’d give Kent a pass on this one. It’s not like she wouldn’t have given up that information anyway. “I’m babysitting Elle all this week, except Wednesday.”
“Great. I’ll make sure we set it up for Wednesday,” Tilly said.
“Oh, goodie. A day at Uncle Rex’s house,” Elle said, kneeling next to Nicky. “He’s got a pool!”
“Elle, you just gave me a great idea,” Tilly said, tucking Annabelle into the stroller. “I know the team has a day off in two days before doing an overnight rotation. I think you, your dad, and Dixie and Nicky should come over for dinner. We can do the interview and have a nice barbeque.”
“Oh no. Really. That would be too much.” Dixie could deal with bringing her son on an interview where a babysitter was provided, but no way would she do dinner and a birthday party. Hell, she wasn’t going to do either and not just because she wanted to keep Tilly at a safe distance just in case she got the job, but she wouldn’t last five minutes in the same room with Kent and not act like a teenage groupie.
“It will be fun. Let’s say we all meet at my house around two, and we’ll do hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill around five.”
“I really?—”
“I’m not going to take no for an answer.” Tilly waved her hand in the air dismissively before pushing the stroller. “I have a good feeling about you, Dixie.”
“Looks like you’re going to dinner,” Elle said, taking her hand. “Uncle Rex says Aunt Tilly is a force to be reckoned with and whatever she wants, she gets.”
“I bet your uncle is dead right on that one.” Dixie kissed Nicky on the forehead as he nuzzled his face in her neck, breathing deeply, moments away from a long overdue nap. While he napped, she’d make something for supper and find the perfect excuse not to go to Tilly’s, but after she had the interview… no, that would be rude.
Damn, she was going to dinner.
Kent sat at the kitchen table in the fire station and stared at the text from Tilly.
Tilly:You’re nuts. Dixie is great and Elle is going to be a fine little babysitter NEXT YEAR. You’re a fool if you can’t see that.
He sighed.
He wasn’t ready for any of this. When he became a single father at twenty, no one told him that his little bundle of joy would someday grow up and become a young lady. He wished for the days when his biggest worry was if she’d fall the down the stairs. Those days were easy.
Fuck. Who was he kidding. Nothing was easy about being a dad.
“I can’t believe you sent my wife to check on the hot babysitter.” Rex slapped him on the shoulder. He ploppedhimself in the chair across from Kent and glared. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“He did what?” Hawke yelled from his perch in the common room.
“No children, no opinion.” Kent set his phone on the table and lifted his soda, chugging half of it. “And you.” He waggled his finger at Rex. “Are you really going to sit there and tell me you’ve never been concerned about a sitter before?”
“It’s Jackie’s niece, for fuck’s sake. We’ve all known Jackie forever and all the woman has ever done is talk about her brother’s darling daughter.”
“Who’s been through some shit.” Kent cocked his head. “And she’s got a rambunctious toddler to look after.”
Rex smacked his forehead. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“Yeah. I do,” Kent admitted. “I can’t help myself. Elle’s my world. I’ve only left her with Jackie and my mom.”
“Look. I get it. I do. But you take it to insane levels. In a couple of years, Elle’s not going to need a nanny. She’ll be at the age where she can get off the bus and be home alone.” Rex tapped his fingers on the table. “And you’re going to have to let her whether you’re ready or not. You can’t keep stifling the poor child. Not if you want her to grow up and be self-reliant.”
“She’s ten, not twenty-one.”
Rex laughed. “If you want her to learn how to take care of herself, she’s going to have to spread her wings. She needs to fall down a few times. Make mistakes. Screw up and that all starts now. You’re a great father. The best. But you’re smothering her and she’s going to rebel in the worst way if you don’t start loosening the reins.”
Kent glanced over his shoulder as Garth strolled into the room and nodded. Kent glanced at his watch. Finally, time for him to go home. He stood. “You’re the one who tells everyone that you’re never going to allow Annabelle to date.”
Rex winced. “Yeah, that does weird me out, but only because she’s exactly like her mother. Aggressive. She’s already told me she’s marrying little Tommy next door. But after today, it might be Nicky. Tilly sent me this picture.” He pulled out his cell and turned it, showing off a picture of Annabelle with her arms around Nicky in a death grip. Her lips were firmly planted on his cheek.
“Oh my God. That’s too cute.” Kent held the phone in one hand, his other tapping the center of his chest. Elle stood in the background, smiling proudly. “Annabelle has always been a forward little girl.”
“Not something a father needs to be reminded of.” Rex took his cell. “But my point is I’m doing my best not to destroy that little girl’s personality. She’s going to grow up on me and it’s my job to teach her how to get along in this world.”
