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“Ma’am, do you know you have the cutest niece in the back seat?” Knox, Fletcher’s little brother, grinned, pulling off his glasses.
“Knox!” I hit his arm. “You scared the crap out of me!” He’d been a couple years younger than me in school and was always the person behind a prank. The fact that he was a cop now was a mystery to us all.
He chuckled, opening the back door, and Maya launched into his arms, hugging him tight.
“I missed you yesterday,” he said to her. “Sorry I had to work.”
She put her hands on his shoulders, looking at him as he held her up. I got out of the car to talk with them both.
“I’m going to swim lessons,” Maya told him.
“Swim lessons? That sounds fun. Think you can teach me?”
She laughed. “I don’t know how yet!”
“Well, when you do, I’ll have my floaties ready,” he said. He grinned at me. “Want a police escort to the swimming pool?”
I chuckled. “Don’t think I could turn one down.”
Maya said, “Can I ride with you?”
Knox gave me a questioning look, like he was asking permission.
“It’s fine with me, if it’s okay with you. I’ll have to tell her dad, eight years old and she’s already in the back of a cop car.”
Knox laughed. “Riding around with you, she’s bound to stir up trouble.”
“You know I’m a good girl.”
“Yes, you are,” he agreed in a sultry voice that made my cheeks flush.
“Come on, Maya,” he said.
He carried her back to his car, and they drove off, lights flashing. I fanned myself before taking a picture on my phone, then put my truck in gear and followed them to the city pool. When we got there, the other kids in the lesson thought Maya was so cool for riding with a cop, so they instantly had something to talk about.
I sat in one of the empty pool chairs and sent Fletcher a text, including the picture of Knox’s car.
Liv: Look who gave Maya a ride to swim lessons.
A few minutes of scrolling social media later, my phone chimed with his reply.
Fletcher: I bet she loved that. How are lessons going?
Liv: She’s doing great. Already made some new friends. They’re practicing kicks now.
I sent him a picture of Maya hanging on to a floating board and kicking at the water.
Fletcher: Have I mentioned how thankful I am to have you as our nanny?
Liv: Maybe a time or two. But it never hurts to hear it.
Fletcher: Well, I am very thankful for you.
Liv: You did me a favor too. I’m starting to think nannying is the best job ever. Now that Maya’s pranking you instead of me. ;)
Fletcher: I believe she had an accomplice.
Liv: Who ever would that be?