Page 2

Chapter Two

Hannah

Maybe I was hyperventilating a little when I pulled into the bank’s parking lot.

Joshua was asleep in his car seat in the back—poor baby, that’s how I knew he really was feeling yucky, to already be so tired. I dropped my forehead to the steering wheel, squeezed my eyes shut, and tried to breathe through the pep talk.

Unfortunately, all I could seem to manage was, You can do this, you can do this .

Which sucked, because I wasn’t sure I could do this.

My boss had made it clear I needed to lead the meeting with Butch Holdings. Honestly, the portfolio was my personal responsibility; I’d been the one to liase with them since they won the contract to build the condo development down by the docks. The bank needed this meeting to be successful, and more than that, I wanted them to succeed.

I had twenty minutes before they showed up.

But could I just…hand Joshy off to a complete stranger? I know if I called up my mother, she’d badger Dad into driving over to pick up their youngest grandbaby so she could pamper him with homemade chicken noodle soup and cuddles…but I could not afford her to catch whatever he had. I mean, I could already feel my nose clogging and my head aching, likely from all those open-mouth sneezes Joshua managed this morning.

If my mother caught anything, in the middle of her chemo treatments, it could be disastrous.

Woman, I’m an orc. I don’t get the sniffles .

Aswan had been so…certain. So sure of himself. The way he’d made a plan about how to tackle the morning? And then he’d just announced it and implemented it. It had been…well, frankly, it had been a little aggravating, but also really hot.

For so long, I’d been the strong one. The capable one. The one everyone—my three kids, my sick mother, even my dirtbag ex—had looked to.

This morning, for just a moment, it had been a relief to have someone else come up with a plan and make it happen.

Giving a little groan, I lifted my head just a smidge and dropped it again.

You can’t rely on him. You can’t rely on anyone .

I mean, my parents were pretty awesome. But the last few months, since Mom’s diagnosis, had proven that the roles had definitely begun to reverse. I couldn’t count on them to always be there for me; in fact, it was now my responsibility to be there for them , to help them whenever they needed.

At least Travis wasn’t in my life anymore.

He was safely in prison in Tennessee, a world away from us.

I sighed and resisted the urge to run my fingers through my hair. I had to look professional and capable and not at all like the completely frazzled mess I was. Why yes, that is a snot stain on my tailored pantsuit and applesauce in my hair. Please trust me with your multi-million-dollar portfolio.

Sure, Hannah. Sure.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself upright.

“Okay,” I whispered, staring unseeing straight ahead. “Okay, you can do this. You can do this. If he shows up, you can trust him. Tova does, Sakkara does. You can?—”

A gentle tapping at my window interrupted me, and when I whirled sideways and jerked back in surprise, I felt something pop in my neck. That’s why my screech turned to a whimper, and the entire embarrassing experience lasted approximately a quarter-second.

And Aswan saw the whole thing.

Of course it was him, bent at the waist so he could nod politely to me as he peered through the window.

Open the door, you idiot. Go outside and talk to him. You just decided to trust him, didn’t you ?

Didn’t I?

Another deep breath, and I fumbled for the door handle.

To my surprise, it opened under my hand, and it wasn’t until I swung my legs out that I realized he’d held it for me. Huh. Sometimes my dad did that for my mother, but no one had ever done it for me…

“Hi!” I blurted, too loud, too enthusiastically. “The brownies…?”

Another solemn nod of acknowledgement. “Thirty-six brownies are in Nikki’s hands. Only half have sprinkles, but all of them are peanut-free. I didn’t know if there were any allergies in her class.”

Oh. He’d… thought of that? What kind of male thought of that?

There was the slightest twinkle in his dark eyes when his gaze flicked sideways. “I’m lying. I bought thirty-seven, so I could try one.”

“And?” I managed to not sound like I was strangling. Barely.

“Cairo’s Mate makes perfectly sufficient brownies. But mine are better.” Was that a wink? Did he just wink ? Before I could ask, Aswan had turned to point to an SUV that I didn’t recognize, and a stroller I did. “I’ve figured out how to open the stroller. Since it’s clear you were surprised by my presence this morning, I thought it would be helpful for me to watch Joshua right here, in and near the bank. After your meeting?—”

All the breath whooshed out of me in relief. “Oh my gosh, that’s perfect !” In my relief, I reached forward, my hand landing on his forearm. “That’ll be great—the meeting won’t last past noon, and then Mr. Morrison will let me work from home, and I can?—”

It wasn’t until I followed his gaze down that I realized I was holding onto him. Onto his heavily muscled forearm, which was bare thanks to the dark t-shirt he wore.

And those muscles? That warm skin? It felt good . It felt nice beneath my palm. I swallowed, remembering my initial reaction to seeing someone this hot on my doorstep…and I yanked my hand back from his arm as if I had been burned.

Maybe I had.

When he lifted his gaze to mine once more, I saw something else in his dark eyes…a softness I didn’t want to contemplate.

“I’m glad you approve, Ms. Woods,” he said softly. “I never want to make you uncomfortable.”

Too late for that buddy . But I wasn’t going to ever let him know about my response to him, because the last thing I needed was to complicate anything.

“Um…” What had we been talking about? Oh yes, the plan. “Yes, I mean…um, yes. Let’s do that. The thing you said. We’ll be in the big room along Main Street, the one with all the windows, and the tellers won’t mind if you wander in and out, I’ll put in a good word…”

Okay. Okay, you can do this. I nodded twice, then took a deep breath and nodded again. “Okay, yeah.” I turned to the car to get Joshua. “And don’t forget to charge me for the thirty-seven brownies too. ”

As I bent over the five-point harness, I thought I heard a small snort from behind me, but didn’t want to know what it meant.

Joshua whimpered as I lifted him, but he didn’t wake. That was a little alarming. I was frowning as I straightened with a small grunt. My little guy wasn’t quite so little anymore, was he?

“He really is sick,” I murmured.

When Aswan reached for him, I didn’t hesitate to pass Joshua over to him, which surprised me when I considered it later. Instead, it felt natural to watch my little guy being tucked up against that strong shoulder. Forcing myself not to admire Aswan’s muscles, I turned back to the car. “I managed to remember his diaper bag, thank goodness.”

Aswan hummed. “Is there a sippy cup in there? Juice or water?”

Wincing, I handed the bag to him when he reached with his free hand. “There’s a cup in there, but it’s not filled. I’ll get it?—”

“I can fill it with water inside,” he interrupted with a gentle smile. “And I’ll see if I can get him to wake up and drink a little too, okay?”

Okay . Yeah. Another deep breath. “Yeah,” I whispered. “Okay.” Yeah .

Yeah, I could do this.

Swallowing down my fears at the idea of giving up control like this, I followed Aswan to the stroller, where I tried not to be obvious as I hovered and watched him buckle my baby in. He pulled the sippy cup from the bag and tucked the rest in the basket under Joshua’s butt.

“Oh!” I blurted. “Mr. BunBun!” I whirled and toddled—stupid heels—back to my car, and returned nearly breathless with the beloved floppy stuffie. “Here,” I panted, thrusting it toward Aswan. “Joshua takes him everywhere.”

With a solemn nod, the big orc gently tucked the rabbit up against my son’s side, and I tried not to melt.

“You must have a lot of experience with kids,” I guessed. “That five-point harness is a pain in the butt to figure out.” And I had normal sized fingers!

Instead of assuring me of his experience, Aswan nudged the locks off the stroller wheels and turned it—and himself, having to bend over almost comically to push it—toward the bank. “It’s ten minutes until ten, Ms. Woods.”

Oh! Oh, crap, yeah, I was still running behind, wasn’t I? “Come on,” I huffed as I hustled toward the front door. “I’ll introduce you!”

I was surprised by how quickly I settled into the meeting—into focus . Mr. Morrison turned the whole thing over to me, of course, but I’d expected myself to be distracted. After all, my baby was in the hands of a virtual stranger, right?

But…it had felt okay to wave goodbye to Aswan, who dwarfed the tiny stroller and my sleeping son. He’d been screwing the cap back on the sippy cup—so delicate in those large, clawed hands—and I’d been surprised how natural it felt to trust him.

Was it because he’d taken charge when I’d needed it ?

Was I making a mistake in trusting him?

The meeting went well, and it had been a comfort to be able to see Main Street so clearly. Aswan was just walking up and down the sidewalk outside, occasionally stopping to chat with someone he knew. Even from inside, I could see how protective his body language was, and that made me feel like maybe I had made the right choice in trusting him.

By noon, the meeting was wrapping up. Contracts had been picked apart, discussed at length, and rebuilt into something that everyone was happy with. My boss had been right; I really had needed to be here to run this, since I knew the most about it.

“Thanks for coming, gentlemen,” I said with a tight smile as I offered my hand. “Eastshore is going to be better off with this new project.”

One of the reps from Butch Holdings shook my hand with an easy smile. “And we’re hoping to bring some jobs to the island too.”

Now that the meeting was wrapped up, I’ll admit I was a little distracted. I wanted to check on Joshua…and find a tissue for myself. So I nodded. “I know we’re all looking forward to it. If you’ll excuse me,” I offered half-heartedly as I darted for the ladies’ room and blew my nose prodigiously.

Oh no.

Had I caught Joshy’s cold?

Woman, I’m an orc, I don’t get the sniffles .

Washing my hands in the hottest water I could stand, I grinned ruefully at my reflection in the mirror. “I hope you’re right, Aswan, because catching a cold would be a terrible first paycheck.”

A toilet flushed, and I saw my reflection’s eyes widen in surprise to discover there was someone listening to me mumble to myself. I ducked out of the restroom before I could be accused of being crazy.

Craz ier .

Mr. Morrison was excessive with his appreciation—I guess he could tell how much of a pain it had been to get me here today. I sat across from him at his desk, and I nodded whenever I thought it appropriate, but I’ll admit I wasn’t paying attention.

The second time I sneezed, he handed me his box of tissues and kindly suggested I work from home the rest of the day.

Dully, I shook my head. “I think I need a sick day, sir.”

I saw his wince, but knew he saw the truth in it. So despite his big sigh as he stood, he nodded toward the door. “Good work today, Hannah. We’ll see you on Monday, bright-eyed and bushy tailed.”

I wanted to ask him if he thought I was a lemur, but instead pressed my lips together and managed to make it out the door before I sneezed again.

Aswan and Joshua were waiting for me on the portico, in the shade. My baby was asleep in the stroller, Mr. BunBun tucked under his chin and his sippy cup mostly empty, thank goodness. The stunning male was watching him .

Whereas most males would pace or stare at their phones or something, Aswan just stood there with his arms crossed and his shoulder propped against the column, his thoughtful gaze on my sleeping toddler.

But then I stepped outside, my leather bag slung over one shoulder, and he glanced up. When he saw it was me, his expression slowly transformed from neutral curiosity to a smile. A real smile, not a polite one.

“How’d it go?” he asked in a low rumble, straightening away from the column.

I could do little more than shrug, and I saw his smile begin to fade. So I forced myself to assure him. “It was great. Everything’s moving ahead. They’re even going to hire some locals, which will be great for Eastshore.”

Aswan’s concerned gaze darted across my face, but he nodded and glanced back down to Joshua and changed the subject.

“I ducked into the market with him and picked up some of that flavored-electrolyte water. He seemed to like the cherry flavor, but I couldn’t get any protein into him.”

I bent closer and could see the remains of Joshua’s favorite fish-shaped crackers spread out on the tray, so I shrugged. “He’ll be okay.”

That was when Aswan began lining up small bottles across the top of the stroller, distracted by pulling them from the shopping bag I only now saw hanging from the handle. “I wasn’t sure which pain-and-fever reducer you normally used on him, so I just picked up everything the market had. Of course I’d never give him medicine without your approval, but I think it makes sense to get some into him as soon as poss—what?” he asked when he noticed me staring at him.

I shook my head, not sure how to explain how surprised I was that he thought of such a thing. “I—thank you. Yeah, fever reducer is probably a good idea.”

He peered closer. “Ms. Woods, are you okay?”

I flicked my fingers dismissively. “I’m fi—” But my assurance was interrupted by a massive sneeze. “Sorry.” A second one. “Sorry.” A third sneeze. “ Sorry .”

Aswan’s lips twitched as he dug into his back pocket and emerged with?—

A handkerchief? Who carried a handkerchief these days?

The kind of male who thinks of food allergies and preemptively picked up medicine for your sick baby .

“Thank you,” I muttered miserably when he offered it to me.

A good nose-blow was just what I needed. And didn’t I sound like my mother when I thought that?

Afterward, I had that awkward Well I can’t very well hand the soggy thing back to him, can I? moment. So I stuck the handkerchief into my bag and swore I’d wash and fold it for him.

With a sigh, I reached for the handle to the stroller.

“Ms. Woods, do you mind if I accompany you back to your house? I can help you get Joshua settled, and maybe start some lunch for you? ”

“Oh, you don’t have to—” I began, but he grinned, almost shyly.

“I can help.”

It was such a small offer, but…he’d saved my butt this morning. Severely. I owed him big time, and besides…it looked like Aswan was now our new nanny, didn’t it? So I nodded mutely, and he turned us all toward the parking lot.

I used his handkerchief all the way home, and by the time I got there, my head was just a big pounding ball of snot and pressure. He was the one to lift Joshua out of the car seat, and gather up the bags of groceries—that was more than just medicine, wasn’t it?

Once inside, I oversaw the medicine choice and dosage, but I let him feed it to the semi-awake toddler, just to make sure he knew what he was doing. It was wild to see those large green fingers—capped with claws!—being so gentle and delicate.

I wondered, not for the first time, what those hands would feel like if he touched me .

Aswan shot me a sudden glance, surprise on his face, and I flushed and looked away guiltily, wondering if he could read my mind somehow.

“Do you want to get more comfortable?” he asked in that low rumble, bouncing Joshua against his shoulder. My toddler looked so tiny compared to Aswan, whereas I sometimes struggled to hold him upright these days. “I bought ingredients to make chicken soup.”

My mind flashed to the matzo ball soup my mother used to make me when I was younger, and my brows rose. “Really?”

“Sure. It’s good for you when you’re sick. Oh, I meant to ask—do you keep kosher? I remember Tova telling Emmy about lighting the menorah.”

My eyebrows were likely hidden in my hairline now. He’d listened ? I mean, I knew Tova could talk to a brick wall, and most adults dealt with that by not really paying attention. But Aswan had paid attention and even known the implications of lighting the menorah.

“Ms. Woods?” he prompted me, and I winced at the formality of it.

“No! I mean, no, we don’t keep kosher. My grandparents were orthodox, and my mom sort of drifted away when she married my father, and I was raised with both traditions.” I was blathering, wasn’t I? “We’re Jew-ish. Jewish- ish . We still celebrate, but we don’t like…go to synagogue or oh my gosh , Hannah, just shut up.”

It wasn’t until I saw his lips twitch that I realized I’d said that last part out loud, and managed not to sink into a puddle of embarrassment only by sheer dint of effort.

“Got it,” he rumbled, bouncing Joshua some more. “Don’t have to worry about kosher. Any food allergies?” When I shook my head, still wide-eyed in surprise that he thought to ask, he asked, “And are you a spicy sort of female?”

I couldn’t help myself; I thought of the books I sometimes found time to read, where spicy meant something else entirely. I thought of his green skin pressed against mine, I thought of how hard and warm he’d be…and I blushed again .

Aswan’s nostrils flared, his brows lowered thoughtfully, and his gaze swept over me. “I meant pepper .”

“Yeah,” I croaked, backing out of the room. “Yeah, I like spice.”

If I’d been alone, I would have taken a long steamy shower and then changed into my favorite jammies. Since I wasn’t, I made do with yoga pants and a comfortable bra under my t-shirt. When I came back into the kitchen, it was to see Aswan chopping celery and speaking to Joshua.

“Most people don’t like the strands, buddy. They get stuck in your teeth, huh? But once we cook them, you won’t even notice the celery.”

My baby was sitting in his high chair, his eyes bleary and two spots of color high on his cheeks, watching the big orc in the kitchen. I can’t imagine they were having much of a conversation , but it was kinda endearing to see Aswan trying to include him.

So all I said was, “Smells good,” as I scooped Joshua up. “Let’s go sit down, huh?”

Without looking up, Aswan said, “Feel free to rest, Ms. Woods. You both need it.”

Oh my gosh, a nap sounded amazing, and honestly, I wasn’t that hungry. I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Okay, but I have to head to the bus stop at three, so not too long.”

Finally, he placed the knife down and lifted his gaze to mine. His eyes were two dark pools, and he slowly inclined his head in a nod of acknowledgement .

I tried not to think of how regal, how composed he was, as I stumbled out of the kitchen to the living room.

Our couch is the World’s Most Comfortable Couch, and I sighed as I sank down into it, resting Joshua against my chest. I don’t even remember closing my eyes, but I promised myself it wouldn’t be for very long.

The next thing I remembered was hearing Tova’s and Benny’s voices raised in argument.

“You’re not in charge of me!” Tova screamed, stomping into the house. “You’re a jerk!”

“I’m oldest!” Benny yelled right back. “You have to listen to me!”

“Tova, Benjamin,” came Aswan’s quiet rumble as I struggled to sit up, rubbing my eyes and wondering what had died on my tongue. “I told you that your mother and little brother were sick. Be respectful.”

My daughter’s expression turned mulish as Benny’s looked guilty for a moment. Then he rolled his eyes, muttered, “Whatever, happy summer vacation,” and stomped upstairs.

“He’s just hungry,” I tried to explain, struggling to surreptitiously twist my bra right way around. “I’ll make him a grilled cheese.”

“Ms. Woods,” Aswan began sternly, coming to scoop Joshua off my chest. “I can make perfectly lovely grilled cheese sandwiches. You rest.”

With him so close, I could do little more than flop back down onto the couch and listen to Tova’s rendition of the last day of school…the brownies were a hit, apparently. One more thing I owed Aswan for.

And his chicken soup? Amazing . “Boy, this is spicy,” I later coughed, reaching for the glass of orange juice he’d brought me. “It’s clearing me right up.”

One of his solemn nods. “That’s the idea. I simmer it with the red pepper, and the orzo soaks it all in. Come on, Joshua, let’s get your mama one of the garlic rolls.”

My almost three-year-old, who had perked right up thanks to the medicine, dragged Mr. BunBun into the kitchen, bellowing, “Gahlic woll! Gahlic woll!”

Because oh yeah, it turns out, Aswan also made my children dinner; a simple pasta dish, since the soup was too spicy for them. Oh well, more for me.

I still wasn’t 100%, but thanks to the nap and the spicy soup, I was feeling a little better by the time the kids were sitting down to dinner, and I managed to get my butt off the couch to walk Aswan to the door.

“Thank you for everything today, Aswan.” Although it felt strange—especially after how much I owed him—I offered him my hand, as if we were in a business meeting. “You really saved us today.”

“I was happy to do it,” he said quietly with a small smile, his large hand enveloping mine. I swear a warm tingle shot up my arm at that touch. “I hope I’ve passed muster.”

Passed mus—oh. “I think the kids and I would benefit greatly from having you as our nanny.”

“Thank you, Ms. Woods. ”

I squeezed his hand—because oh yeah, had I failed to mention that I still hadn’t released him? “I think, after today, you ought to just call me Hannah, okay? I mean, we’re friends, right?”

Something flared in those dark eyes, and for a moment, I swear I saw a flash of green before Aswan dropped my hand. “Yes,” he said. “Friends.”