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“It has to be all or nothing,” I said resolutely. “I need Maya to know that I’m not going to be just another nanny she can push around and run off.” And I needed to remind myself not to quit when things got hard. Any job was hard at the beginning. “Plus, I already creeped the house on Zillow, and it’s super nice.” I stuck my tongue out playfully. “Can’t keep living with my parents forever.”
Mom shook her head at me and then got up, helping fold my shirts before putting them in the suitcase. “If you ever need help with her, you bring her over, okay? And I’m sure Tyler and Henrietta would be more than willing to have you over too.”
“I plan on it,” I replied. “You taking us all over town when you were a stay-at-home mom made some of my best memories.” Us kids did everything with her, from visiting friends in town to helping Dad out around our family farm. I hoped I could make good memories with Maya doing the same thing. At the very least, we’d get through the summer before school started back full-time. Because I had to make this work. I didn’t want to move away from the only home and friends I’d ever known.
“You know who you should call?” Mom said, wagging her finger. “Farrah. She’s so good with those three kids.”
I smiled, thinking of my new sister-in-law and her three children. They were some of the most good-hearted kids I’d ever met. “I definitely will. I wish I could sit around and watch her for a week or so to see how she does it allanddeals with Gage.”
Mom chuckled as she zipped my full suitcase. “Do you want me to come over with you and help you unpack tonight?”
I shook my head. “I’m sure Fletcher can help me.”
It took us a couple hours to pack up my room, and by the time we were done, Dad was back from working to help us load it all up. Unlike Mom, he was thrilled about my new situation.
“It’s about time Fletcher moved back home. Kids need to be around their family,” Dad said in the driveway, shielding his eyes from the evening sun.
I nodded. “It was like perfect timing. I quit my job and here he is needing someone.”
Mom seemed thoughtful. Maybe even hopeful. “Sometimes fate has its hand in these things.”
Shaking his head at her, Dad said, “And sometimes it’s just dumb luck.”
“Either way, I’m glad,” I said. “I better get over there, though. I told Fletch I’d be there at seven.”
Dad nodded. “We’ll see you Wednesday for dinner. And this weekend if you want to hang out.”
My smile grew. “Someone’s going to miss me.”
He rolled his eyes and gave me a quick hug before saying, “Get out of here, kid.”
I hugged my mom, then got in my truck, ready for a new adventure.
* * *
Fletcher’s homehad to be one of the most stunning builds in the county. It was a beautiful farmhouse set on a hill a mile away from the blacktop. As I drove over the dirt path, I took in the green pastures and cattle dotting the hillsides. I parked in front of the separate shop building, seeing the main house and an adorable cottage out back.
In the backyard, I could see a trampoline, a swing set, and a covered picnic area. Maya and I would have so much fun out here this summer.
I turned off my truck and got out, tucking my phone in my back pocket. As I walked to the house, I noticed the row of flowers lining the sidewalk and smiled. Picture perfect.
I didn’t have to ring the bell, because as soon as I reached the porch, the front door opened, and Fletcher stepped outside, smiling at me. “Have I mentioned how amazing you are?” he asked.
My stomach somersaulted. I would definitely have to cool these nerves around him. He wasn’t my brother’s older, hot best friend anymore, and I wasn’t the dweeby girl tagging along in braces. I was a grown woman. Time to act like it.
“You’re the amazing one,” I replied, gesturing around me. “I mean, look at this place. Dream job in a dream location.”
“It is nice,” he agreed. “I never could have afforded anything like this in the city.”
I reached out, punching his arm lightly. “Look at you, all grown up, talking about real estate prices.”
Shaking his head at me, he said, “Come inside. Maya’s watching TV.”
We walked through a gorgeous entry area and into a big living room with built-in shelves lining a stunning stone fireplace. A little girl sat on the couch, her knees tucked to her chin, as a children’s program played on the TV.
“Maya,” Fletcher said.
She ignored him.