Page 4

Chapter four

Emmett Foster

Every time I pick up a video game controller and put on this blasted headset, I question my sanity.

“There’s no way you’d win in a fight against a bear ,” Miles says.

As often as we can manage, a few of my guy friends and I play Halo together. Each of us plays a different professional sport, and we met through our agent, who also became a friend, Brock.

I squint and try to focus on the game at hand, but as always, it’s a fruitless endeavor. I don’t know why we bother playing the game when all they want to do is talk. But since they’re my friends–another thing I question–I go along with it. Our time to talk is limited due to our jobs anyway, so I don’t blame them too much. Only a little, since this is the topic they’re wasting it on.

“The linemen I face every week are basically bears,” Jason replies. “I could take one.”

Shaw laughs. “Maybe a cub.”

“Or a teddy bear,” Brock adds.

My lip quirks up at their remarks.

“I can’t believe y’all don’t think I’m strong enough to take a bear. What kind of friends are you?” Jason huffs.

“Realistic ones?” Miles offers.

“If I lost, it would be because my best friends didn’t believe in me.”

Brock snorts. “What are you, Tinkerbell? Our belief in you doesn’t change the fact that it’s a bear . You’d be eaten alive and I’d have to lie to the tabloids so no one would think I managed an idiot who picks fights with wild animals.”

“I didn’t say I’d start the fight,” Jason clarifies as his video game character runs by me on the screen. “I just said I’d end it.”

“Yeah, by dying,” Miles says with a laugh.

I shake my head at their ridiculous topic choice. Jason and Willow are on vacation in the Smoky Mountains and they’ve seen a few bears. This, of course, led to Jason stating he believed he could fight one and survive.

“Emmett, have my back, please,” Jason begs. “If I were up against a bear in a fight, who would you bet on?”

I’m usually the last resort in these conversations. One of the guys gets into a conversational bind and calls on me to bail him out. I never understand why, since I always give my opinion whether or not it’s what they want to hear.

“I’d take the bear,” I answer.

The rest of the guys laugh. Jason groans in defeat.

“Please don’t go antagonizing the wildlife while you’re there,” Brock says once the laughter dies down. “You and Willow have a photoshoot the week you get back.”

“Why is it always about work with you, man?” Miles asks. “Don’t get me wrong, I love golf, but there’s more to life.”

“My life isn’t all about work,” Brock grumbles.

“To be fair, you didn’t start caring about things outside of golf until Ellie came around. Maybe that’s what Brock needs,” Shaw says.

I find myself shaking my head again. This conversation has been happening more and more as of late. The guys know better than to pester me, thankfully, but they’ve been trying to convince Brock to go out on a date for months now to no avail.

“I’m not talking about this tonight. I need to go to bed anyway. I did want to ask, did you end up hiring the nanny I recommended, Emmett?” Brock asks. I’m grateful he’s trying to change the subject, but I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.

“My mom has been conducting the interviews. I think she told me she found someone though,” I reply. “I’ll be meeting her tomorrow to make sure she’s the right person to watch over June.”

“Your mom can’t take care of her anymore?” Jason asks. “Is she okay?”

I sigh. I hate talking about my personal life, and yet, somehow, these guys manage to con me into it.

“She’s fine. She and my dad are going to Europe, so I need to hire someone before she goes.”

“Well, if you need anything, let me know. I’ve got time where I can come help out since it’s offseason,” Jason offers.

“I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”

“Tell us if that changes,” Miles chimes in. “You know we’re all here for you.”

I clear my throat. “Thanks.”

I’m still getting used to having friends who are so involved . My team is fairly tight-knit, but they’ve got nothing on these guys. It’s odd on many levels to be friends with them. They’re all in their early twenties. Meanwhile, I’m thirty-five. Three of them are in relationships, one is single, and I’m divorced. None of them have kids yet. We’re in totally different life stages, and yet they don’t treat me any differently because of it. So, as much as it’s difficult for me to share, I try a little harder with them since they do for me.

“Now, back to Brock,” Shaw says, and I can picture the maniacal grin he’s probably wearing. “How do you feel about a blind date?”

“Please be nice,” my mom says as it gets closer to the time the nanny is supposed to arrive.

June is off in her playroom. I plan on bringing her out to meet the woman if the interview goes well.

“Why would I be anything else?” I ask and she sighs.

“You care a lot about June, which is a good thing.” She gives me a meaningful look. “But it can also make you intense. Do you remember the nurse you made cry when June was at her last checkup?”

“She went to give her a shot without asking,” I say, anger flaring at the memory.

“That is not a reason to make someone cry.”

Debatable .

I meet my mother’s exasperated gaze.

“I will be polite, but I will also ensure she’s good enough to take care of June.”

A knock on the garage entrance makes me turn my head.

“Why is she coming that way?” I ask with a frown.

“Because your front door is obnoxious,” Mom replies like it’s obvious. “Now, you know I wouldn’t let just anyone take care of our girl. Trust me, and be nice.”

I clench my jaw. “Yes, ma’am.”

She nods once in approval before heading to the garage door and opening it.

“It’s so good to see you again, Hazel!”

“You too, Bonnie,” a soft voice replies.

My mom steps aside, and in walks a woman with long brown hair and a shy smile. She’s short, and she can’t be anywhere near thirty. I look at my mom, wondering what she was thinking bringing in someone so young. I expected to see a nanny in the traditional sense. Someone wrinkled who carries hard candy in her ‘pocketbook.' Not someone who would fit in with my friends and their wives.

“This is my son, Emmett,” my mom introduces with a sweep of her hand. There’s something sparkling in her gaze that I don’t like.

Hazel smiles up at me, having to tilt her head back to meet my gaze.

“It’s nice to meet you, Emmett. I’m Hazel James.”

She sticks out her hand. I clasp it in mine, noting how small and soft hers is before dropping it.

“Why don’t we go into the dining room and chat?” Mom suggests. “I made a pecan pie.”

“That sounds lovely,” Hazel says, and by the way her green eyes light up, she’s sincere.

We sit down at my dining room table. My mom sits next to me, while Hazel sits across from us. After pie and sweet tea are distributed, we settle in for discussion.

“I told Emmett about your prior experience with the Lawsons, as well as your education. This meeting is really just a formality. You are the best person I’ve interviewed so far,” my mom says with a smile.

I shoot her an admonishing look. “Nothing is decided yet.”

She returns my look with one of her own. “It might as well be.”

Hazel pokes at her pie across the table, not looking at us.

I turn the conversation back to Hazel. “I’d like to know more about your time at the Lawsons and why it ended if things were going as well as my mother says.”

She lifts her head. “The Lawsons were a second family to me. I love their girls very much, and Mikayla, their mother, is my closest friend. Her husband got traded, though, so they’re moving to Alabama.”

“And they didn’t invite you to come with them?” I question.

My mom kicks me under the table. I guess I’m not being as nice as she’d like.

“They did, but I turned them down. My sister is in high school here, and I wanted to be near her. Plus, I love this area. It’s my home. I wouldn’t want to leave it.”

I nod in approval. “That makes sense. Thank you for clarifying.”

“I’m happy to go over any concerns you have. I’d really like this job, but I want this to be the right fit for both of us.”

“And what would make it a right fit in your eyes?” I ask.

She tilts her head to the side. “Hm, well, I suppose I’d like to have a good working relationship with you. I was close with Mikayla, but I don’t expect to be that close with you.” Her cheeks tint pink. My brows furrow. “I want to be seen as a part of your team, so to speak. You can count on me to take care of June, and I can count on you to support me in that by communicating openly.”

“That’s more than reasonable,” my mother speaks for me, reaching across the table to pat Hazel’s hand.

Hazel meets my gaze. “What would make me right for you?” She cringes. “I-I mean right for the job.” The flush of her skin deepens a shade. Am I making her nervous? I didn’t think I was being too harsh, just straightforward.

“I want someone who is going to give June the best care possible. Someone who will put her first the way I do.” I run a hand over my beard. “I realize that’s not entirely realistic, but–”

“You love June,” Hazel finishes my sentence. “I understand. I promise that when I’m on the clock, June will be my top priority. While I can’t give her everything a parent would, I’ll do my best to come close.”

My mom is beaming, practically vibrating with joy beside me. I know she’s looking forward to her trip, but this much excitement over finding a nanny is hardly warranted.

Though no one will be perfect enough for this job, even I have to admit that Hazel comes pretty close. Her credentials and demeanor are exactly what I was looking for. And even though I gave my mom a hard time, I do trust her judgment.

“If June likes you, you’re hired,” I say after a moment of silence.

Hazel smiles and her eyes crinkle at the edges. “Thank you, Emmett. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“I’ll go get her. You two stay right here and enjoy your pie,” my mom says with a smile that looks far too mischievous for my liking.

I don’t know what she’s up to, but I don’t like it.