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“That’s scary,” I say.
“Yes, it freaked me out. Do you want to see a photo?”
“No, it’s okay. I believe you.”
She looks at me sternly. “Ned, I’m going to say it again. I think your wife, in her fragile condition, needs around-the-clock help.”
I digest her words as I finish my latte. “So, Marley, what exactly are you proposing?” My mind once again is in deal-mode.
“Ned, it has nothing to do with money—I’ll even cut my rate in half to twenty dollars an hour—that’s how strongly I think I should move into your house and work for you full-time as your nanny. I can help out Ava and do some household chores. Most importantly, I can watch over Isa twenty-four-seven so nothing happens to her.” She gazes down at my sleeping baby and I can see the love in her eyes.
She meets my eyes again. “What do you think?”
Without consulting Ava, I make an executive decision. “I think it’s a great idea.” And what a deal!
“Ava will too.” Marley smiles. “And you’ll both get the sleep you need.”
My father always said sleep is for the dead, but I’ve never bought that. I’m a living testament to what a good night’s rest can do. Yesterday I was a zombie; today I’m on top of the world.
And I more than like the thought of having this gorgeous, caring woman in my home twenty-four-seven—something, someone I can look forward to coming home to after a hard day at the office.
“There’s just two things…”
She brushes back a wisp of her platinum-blonde hair. “Yes?”
“I need you to sign a contract and an NDA. I’m a stickler about privacy.”
She nods. “Of course. All my high-profile clients make me do that. I only have one request.”
My brows lift. That I’ll keep my pants on? “And what’s that?”
“I want Sundays off.”
She explains that she likes to go to church. While not a religious person myself, I respect that. Maybe I’ll go with her sometime. Send prayers out to the universe.
“When can you start?” I ask.
She raises a playful brow. “I’ve already started.”
Grinning, I’ve forgotten the other question I wanted to ask her.
SIXTEEN
AVA
The nausea has subsided. Maybe I don’t have a bug after all, but all morning long I’ve felt anxious, sick to my stomach, wanting to know how my baby is. And missing her. I’m additionally ridden with guilt—not having had the wherewithal to be with my newborn at her first wellness visit. What must her pediatrician, Dr. Goldman, think of me? I hope Ned explained the extenuating circumstance. Thank goodness Nurse Marley accompanied him. I know I can trust her with my baby.
To distract myself, I lounge in the recliner and flip through several design magazines, the Baby Reborn doll beside me. But it’s futile. I can’t stop worrying.
I check my phone. It’s going on noon. What’s taking so long? Where’s my baby? Why hasn’t Ned or Nurse Marley called me? I tried calling them both several times, but each time the call went to their voicemail. Is there something wrong with Isa? Some kind of life-threatening emergency that they’re dealing with? That they don’t want to tell me about?
My pulse revving up to panic mode, I’m about to call Ned again for the umpteenth time when I hear a car pull up in the driveway. Before the Ring app activates, the front door opens and in walks Nurse Marley carrying Isa in her portable car seat. I should smile with relief, but my anxiety hijacks the curl of my lips.
“Is everything okay?” The words come out a mile a minute, tumbling into one another.
A megawatt smile beams on Nurse Marley’s face. “Everything’s great!”
My anxiety won’t let up. “How did her checkup go?”
