Page 10 of His Surrender

“Barely. She was … what, like, fifteen the last time I saw her?”

“She’s twenty-two now.”

I nod slowly.

He continues, “She just graduated college a few months ago. Bright kid. But she’s having a hell of a time finding work. Apparently, she’s been sending out résumés every day without much luck.”

“Unfortunately, she’s not the only one.”

“No.” Dad folds his hands together. “Listening to him reminded me of what you told me this morning.”

A feeling settles in my stomach. “Dad …”

“Just hear me out.”

I don’t interrupt.

“I told Harrison about Liana. About Frieda leaving. About the agencies putting you on waiting lists.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You told him?”

“I didn’t give him every detail. Just enough that he understood you needed help.”

“And?”

“He said Aubrey spent half her teenage years babysitting.”

I can’t help the skeptical look that crosses my face. “Dad …”

“I’m serious. Harrison said every family in the neighborhood requested her. She practically became everyone’s first call if they needed someone dependable.”

“Babysitting your neighbors’ kids isn’t exactly the same as taking care of a two-month-old.”

“No,” he agrees. “But neither is reading a résumé from someone you’ve never met.”

I don’t say anything.

“She’s responsible. She’s kind. And this would only be temporary.”

“Temporary.”

“She could stay here while she keeps looking for a job in the city. Harrison actually thinks it’d be good for her. She’d be closer to interviews, networking events, and companies she’d eventually like to work for.”

I look over at Liana sleeping peacefully across the room.

“I haven’t talked to her,” Dad says. “I wanted to ask you first.”

I let out a slow breath. “I’m running out of options.”

“So …”

“So, if she’s interested”—I glance back toward Liana— “I’d be willing to meet her.”

Dad smiles for the first time since he walked through the door. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”

“I didn’t say I was hiring her.”

“No,” he says with a grin. “You just agreed to meet her.”