Page 28 of Imperfect Arrangement

She blinks, clearly caught off guard. “Personal? I didn’t know you had a personal life. I thought destroying small businesses was your full-time job.”

I roll my eyes. “I wasn’t destroying your business, Willow. I was trying to stop you from launching another one.” Saying her name is slowly becoming natural.

She tilts her head, giving me that slow, scrutinizing look. “Was? The last time I checked, you’re still doing so.”

Am I seriously considering bringing her to my house?

Yeah, but I’ve got a damn good reason for that. So let’s focus on that, Teager.

“How about I help you keep your land?”

Her face heats like I’ve suggested she sell her soul, not acquire real estate. “Like I said last night, how about you stop plotting with my snake of a cousin, and I’ll keep the land just fine.”

I sigh. “Are you seriously that naive? I’m one of many buyers on your cousin’s list. Sure, I’m the highest bidder, but if I back out, it’s not like your cousin’s handing you a deed with a bow on top. I’m not the one standing between you and your land.”

She goes quiet, her gaze drilling into me, so intense I almost feel the need to squirm. “Is this some kind of reverse psychology? ’Cause it’s not working.”

I chuckle, leaning back. “Why do you distrust me so much?”

Her eyes bore into mine. “You really have to ask?”

Yeah, okay. Fair point. I’m not exactly Mr. Trustworthy in her book.

“I can help you get back sole ownership of your land—for real this time. You’ll own it free and clear, and no one can take that away.”

Her face softens a fraction, hope flickering behind her stubborn stance. But just as quickly, it’s replaced by suspicion.

“And what am I giving up for that? A limb? My soul?” Her tone’s lighter, but I can tell she’s bracing herself.

“Neither.” I pause, letting that sink in. “But I do need something from you. I want you to work for me.”

She stills for a second and then bursts out laughing. “Work for you? Are you kidding? I’m not a desk-job type.”

“I know.” And I really do. She’s way too wild for that. Asking Willow to sit at a desk would be like trapping a fairy and expecting her magic to work in a cubicle.

Comparing real-life women—especially one who looks like she’s plotting my demise—to fairies is possibly a side effect of being a single dad of a girl who loves books.

“The job is Quill’s nanny.” I finally lay it all out.

Willow’s whole demeanor shifts at the mention of my daughter’s name, and I feel a sliver of hope that this crazy plan of mine might actually work. I’m pretty sure Daisy already filled her in about Quill’s situational mutism. Not that I’m mad—Daisy loves my kid and would never gossip unnecessarily about her.

Willow opens and closes her mouth a few times before finding her words. “Nanny? Are you out of your damn mind? I actually might be better at a job in your company. What sort of dad are you to trust me with your daughter’s safety? I have zero background in childcare.”

I hold up a hand before she can completely spiral. “Willow, I’ve hired the best people with every degree under the sun, who have taken care of more kids than are in this town altogether. But for some reason, Quill chose you. Not them. You.”

The silence that follows is thick, like we’re both waiting for the other to blink first. For the first time since this conversation started, Willow seems genuinely speechless.

“What do you really want?” she finally asks quietly.

“I want my daughter to come out of her shell and not cower away as soon as she sees a stranger.” And maybe even speak all her thoughts out loud. At least to me.

Her gaze softens and I realize she has never once looked at me like this…with so much emotion. “I like Quill…very much. She’s such a sweet kid. But I don’t need to be a nanny to spend time with her. I’ll hang out with her anytime you want.”

“No, that’s not enough. I need you with her full-time. You’d have to move in. Can you delegate Whispering Willow to someone else for a while? If not, I can help you find a perfect temporary manager.” In my mind, I’m already thinking about contacting my HR head to find the best candidate for the job.

“Raymond, stop.” Hearing my name from her lips feels like a hammer hit me right in my chest. Her shocked voice is featherlight. “Move into your house?”

When I look up at Willow, she’s staring at me like I just suggested we elope.