Page 25 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“That alone sounds like it’s worth staying,” she murmured.

I perked up at her words, but her expression was difficult to read. Was it just a throwaway comment? Was she messing with me? Why was I so bothered about this trespasser potentially leaving here with Locke?

I scowled down at my own plate of food, and we said nothing else on the matter for the rest of dinner. Instead, Locke regaled us with tales of Christmas morning shenanigans at Weston’s estate. By the time we wrapped up, ferrying plates to the dishwasher and leftovers to the fridge, I’d stewed so much about her answer that my face was set in a permanent frown.

Locke caught Madison’s arm as she passed behind him.

“I’m going to head out,” he murmured. “Do you need a lift into town?”

There was a pause. My heart pounded. “No,” she finally said. “I’m fine here for now.”

“Daddy, can I play with Princess in the morning?” Kenna asked.

I set the storybook on the nightstand and pulled the purple comforter up, tucking her in the way she liked—burrito style. “Maybe,” I said. “We’ll have to ask Madison.”

Kenna hummed. “I like Madison.”

I stroked a few loose hairs back from her face. She yawned, her little nose wrinkling in that way that made my heart ache for how adorable it was. “Do you?”

“She’s nice,” Kenna said sleepily. “She plays princesses with me.”

And that’s really all she needed in the world. A sharp ache stabbed somewhere deep as I thought of Jessica, wondering how much Kenna really remembered of her mother who’d been gone now for well over a year. Would she one day ask me questions about the woman who’d abandoned her?

Stealing from my company, ruining my life…I hated Jessica for those things.

But I hated her far more for leaving Kenna. For dumping her daughter and running.

It boiled my blood just thinking of it, and I fought through the surge of anger. Kenna didn’t deserve to see that, so I stuffed the feelings away, leaning over to press a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, sweetheart. Have a good sleep.”

“Can you put on my nightlight?”

“Of course.” I stood, turning her white noise machine on low and making sure her nightlight was plugged in. By the time I reached the door, she was yawning again.

“Night, Daddy.”

“Night, love.” I pulled the door most of the way closed, then headed down the hall in search of Madison. I popped my head into the library, but she wasn’t there. I continued on, doing the rounds and making sure the house was locked up as I looked for her.

I eventually found her back in the guest room, scrolling on her phone. She’d dragged one of the wingback chairs closer to the fireplace. Princess was asleep on the carpet by her feet.

I reached out and knocked on the open door. Her eyes flickered over to me, one eyebrow arching. Princess popped her head up, flashing me those teeth, but at least she didn’t start barking. “You’ve decided to stay,” I said.

“I’ve decided to stay,” she agreed, sitting up straighter. “And…I’ve also decided to take you up on your offer to be Kenna’s nanny. Temporarily.”

Thank Christ! I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “What made you change your mind?”

“Well, you weren’t wrong,” she muttered, setting her phone aside and rolling her eyes. “The van repair wasn’t a cost I’d planned for. Nor was having to bunk in at a hotel somewhere until it’s fixed.”

“So it was the salary that swayed you?”

“Partly. Kenna’s also pretty cool,” Madison admitted. “Which is impressive considering—” She waved vaguely in my direction.

I huffed. “Watch it, or you’ll be on thin ice before you even sign your contract.”

Madison’s lips puckered, amused. “I suppose there are worse things I could be doing for some spare cash. At least you have a fridge full of Christmas dinner leftovers and decent Wi-Fi. I think we can put up with each other for a few more days, then I’ll be on my way.”

Now that she’d agreed to the nanny position, the wheels in my head started turning. Based on how poorly my hunt for a new nanny was going, it seemed very likely that I’d need Madison around for longer than a few days, especially with Weston and Lena away. And I’d likely get better candidates if I wasn’t in so much of a rush. After all, whoever I hired would need time to relocate. I figured that could take several weeks.

“Counteroffer,” I said. “Give me a month.”