Page 14 of Pucking Daddy

"Your father can’t bake, sweetheart."

"Exactly."

I help clean while Mrs. Henriksen keeps an eye on Lily during her afternoon quiet time, and then she gives me the promised tour.

My room is simple but comfortable—a queen bed, a dresser, a window overlooking a side street. Private bathroom. More space than my old studio apartment back home.

“Mr. Halberg keeps late hours during the season. He just started with a new team,” she tells me. “There will be practices, games, and travel. You’ll be Lily’s primary caregiver when he’s away. Weekends vary. Any questions?”

A hundred. A thousand. What about Lily’s mom? But it’s too early to ask, so I shake my head.

“I think I’ve got it for now.”

She nods curtly and leaves me to unpack.

I sit on the bed for a long moment, staring at my suitcase.

Through the wall, I can hear Lily singing something off-key, probably to those dragons she loves. The sound anchors me. Reminds me why I am here.

Ten years of other people's children. Other people's homes. Temporary families that never quite stick, no matter how much I love them or how hard I try to plant roots.

Maybe this time will be different. Maybe this city, this job, this little girl with chocolate chip negotiations—maybe this could finally be the place where I stop running and start staying.

I touch the necklace again. Danny is counting on me to build something here. I am counting on me.

The knock on my door startles me out of my thoughts.

"Miss Winslow?" Mrs. Henriksen's voice comes through the wood. "There's someone here to see you."

I open the door to find a man standing in the hallway—late twenties, easy grin, athletic build beneath a Metro Raptors polo. His name tag reads NATE.

“You must be the new nanny.” He extends a hand. “Nate Rollins. Assistant coach. We just started with a new team, but I’ve worked with him for ages. I handle the things Jaxon doesn’t have time for, which lately is everything.”

"Zara Winslow." I shake his hand, smiling at him. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. Lily talks about you already. I come by to check on the munchkin and coordinate tomorrow's schedule with whoever's handling her."

He glances past me toward the kitchen. "Are those cookies?"

"Fresh out of the oven."

His eyes light up. "You're my new favorite person."

We move to the kitchen, where Nate demolishes four cookies in quick succession while filling me in on the household rhythms.

Jaxon Halberg runs a tight ship.

Practice at seven, home by dinner when possible, travel for away games at least twice a month.

Lily has school during the week, activities on Saturdays, and a standing playdate with Maria every other Sunday.

“He’s intense,” Nate admits between bites. “About work, about Lily, about everything. Don’t take it personally if he’s short with you. He’s under a lot of stress right now.”

Well, lucky me. Another rich boss who treats his staff like garbage and probably has zero interest in spending quality time with his daughter.

"I won't," I say nonetheless. "Short doesn't bother me. I've handled worse."

Nate studies me for a moment, then nods. "Yeah. I think you'll do just fine here."