Page 5

Chapter five

Hazel James

As soon as Bonnie leaves, the room goes silent. I’m not great at small talk. The last time I tried to talk to new people at one of Mikayla’s events, I asked them how many owls they would have to see in a day before they thought something was weird. I stopped listening to internet conversation tips after that.

I much prefer deep conversations or talking about a specific subject either myself or the other person is passionate about. I could listen to my sister talk about archaeology all day long, but having to discuss the weather makes me break out in hives.

My lip starts to hurt and I realize I’ve been chewing on it out of a nervous habit. Emmett, on the other hand, looks perfectly at ease across the table from me. He’s relaxed in his chair, and while he’s not making eye contact with me, I don’t think it’s because he’s uncomfortable. He simply doesn’t care to.

“So–” I go to break the silence because I can’t stand it any longer. Emmett’s dark gaze cuts off my words. I find that the weight of his attention is heavier than most people I speak to. As if he doesn’t give it out often, but when he does, it’s unwavering. And disconcerting .

“Daddy!” a sweet little voice shouts with glee, saving me from further embarrassment.

A mop of dark curls pops up beside the table. June climbs into Emmett’s lap, a mess of long limbs and happy giggles. His whole demeanor softens with her presence. He doesn’t quite smile, but he’s not scowling either. June sits with her feet dangling off the right side of Emmett’s lap. She looks over at me, her smile wide and welcoming.

“Who are you?” she asks.

I laugh at her straightforward question. “I’m Hazel. I’m hoping to be your friend while your grandma is traveling.”

“Do you like unicorns?”

I smile. “Of course I do. Who doesn’t like unicorns?”

“Daddy doesn’t like unicorns,” June says matter-of-factly. “He told me unicorns aren’t for boys, but my uncle Shaw said he loves unicorns.”

“Interesting,” I say, shooting a glance at Emmett. He looks like they’ve had this conversation one too many times. Meanwhile, Bonnie takes her seat with a grin.

“What’s your favorite color?” June asks as if she’s conducting her own interview.

“Yellow. What’s yours?”

“I love yellow!” she cheers, wiggling in Emmett’s lap. “But my favorite is purple. Daddy loves green, and Grandma loves pink. Grandpa says he’s too old to have a favorite color.” She wrinkles her nose, making me laugh again.

This little girl is quickly stealing my heart. She reminds me of my sister Raven when she was little. Since we have a larger age gap, I got to watch her grow up and she was just as wonderfully precocious as sweet June.

“Can you make pancakes?” she asks.

I nod. “I can. I like to put chocolate chips in mine.”

Her eyes grow big. “I love chocolate chips. Do you want to see my playroom? It has a rock wall!”

I look at Emmett again, this time for permission.

He moves June and sets her on her feet. “Why don’t you go to your playroom and Ms. Hazel will meet you there?”

June nods, then skips off in the direction she came.

“It’s clear that she likes you,” Bonnie says with a laugh.

“She seems like a wonderful little girl,” I say. “I’d love to take care of her.”

Emmett runs a hand over his beard. “When can you start?”

My heart inflates like a hot-air balloon. “As soon as you’d like. Tomorrow works for me.”

He nods. “Tomorrow it is, then. You’ll get paperwork–”

“Right now,” Bonnie interrupts. “I already printed it off for you.” She walks over to the kitchen island and picks up a packet of paper.

Emmett sighs. “I suppose you can take the paperwork home. And when you come in the morning, my mom will show you around the house.”

“You won’t be here?” I ask.

He pushes away from the table. When he rises to his full height, it occurs to me once again just how tall he is. And strong . His muscles are bulging against the Nashville Cowboys shirt he’s wearing.

“I have a game to prepare for.”

Bonnie looks at him and widens her eyes. He sighs.

“Thank you for applying.”

I almost laugh at his begrudging tone, but I manage to hold back. “Thank you for hiring me.”

He dips his chin then leaves. I’m not sure where he goes, since I don’t know the house layout beyond the dining area and living room.

“We should go see June before she gets restless,” Bonnie says after her son is gone.

“Sounds great.” I follow her through the house. Once again, I’m struck by how castle-like their home looks. If you told me I’d stepped into the Renaissance or Regency era, I’d believe you.

“The playroom is right down this hall. I’ll give you a tour tomorrow. I know it’s rather overwhelming,” Bonnie says, drawing my attention away from the large painting of a rose garden.

“It’s a beautiful home,” I breathe.

“Emmett wanted a castle fit for his little princess. I think he built this place to make June’s childhood magical in spite of her mother not being around.”

“I can’t imagine not wanting to be around a kid like June,” I say honestly.

When Bonnie doesn’t say anything, I worry I overstepped. I’m about to apologize when I hear a sniffle.

“I can’t either,” she replies, her voice thick with emotion. She draws in a breath as we come upon a door that reads Princess June in swirling gold letters.

“I’m sure she’s loved growing up with her grandma next door. And when you come back, you’ll be able to share all the stories you gathered.”

She smiles at me. “You have a good heart, Hazel. I think you’ll be just what they need.”

They? I shake off the odd word choice.

“I know I have big shoes to fill, but I’ll take care of June.”

Her smile grows. “I know you will. Now, prepare yourself for chaos.”

She opens the door and I can’t help but gasp. In the center of the room is a four-poster bed complete with lavender canopy linens. The bed is made, with at least a dozen stuffed animals carefully arranged on top of the ornate floral duvet. There is a small living area in front of a faux fireplace. On top of the coffee table is a tea set that looks like real china. On the far wall is a window seat featuring more stuffed animals, and next to that is a tall bookshelf that’s currently open to reveal a colorful playroom. Is there anything more magical than a secret room behind a bookshelf?

This five-year-old little girl has my dream bedroom. Except instead of a playroom with a rock wall, I’d have a hobby room to store my crochet supplies and play my favorite cozy video games.

“She’s spoiled, isn’t she?” Bonnie laughs.

Deeply loved, is more like it. I suppose I haven’t spent much time around June, but she doesn’t seem like a spoiled brat. And I’ve met my fair share of those taking the twins to play dates at other rich kids’ houses.

“Is it weird that I wish I lived here?” I ask.

“Not at all,” Bonnie says, her smile turning mischievous, though I can’t pinpoint why.

“Grandma, look at me!” June yells.

She’s hanging upside down by her legs from a set of monkey bars. I’d be worried if said bars weren’t suspended above a pink and purple foam pit.

“Wow! Good job, little Junebug. You’re so strong!”

June flips down into the foam pit as if she’s done so many times before. I look around the room as she climbs out. There’s a rock climbing wall, a large treasure chest overflowing with toys, a karaoke machine, and a host of pretend household items ranging from a kitchen to a washing machine. There’s even a June-sized grocery checkout with miniature plastic food on the belt.

“Miss Hazel, did you see me do my trick?” June asks after she’s on her feet again.

“I did! It was amazing. You should be in the circus.”

She grins wide. “Can you do any tricks? Maybe we can be in the circus together!”

I tap my chin as I pretend to think about it. “Hmmm, I think I have one or two tricks up my sleeve.”

As a former college gymnast, I have more than one or two, but this area isn’t big enough to show off the extent of my skills. A handstand with only one hand will have to do for now. I tuck my shirt in to prepare for being upside down.

“Would this get me a spot in the circus?” I ask before propelling myself up onto my hands. Since the Lawson girls were taking gymnastics, it hasn’t been all that long since I’ve done this. They liked seeing me do tricks, and I loved helping them do their own.

“Wow!” June gasps.

I slowly lift up one of my hands, wiggling my fingers at her. She giggles and claps her hands. I’m considering falling into a backbend when a large figure enters the room. From my angle, I see his white sneakers first, then his muscular build, and finally, a stern face. Heat floods my cheeks as I quickly push myself back up to standing.

“Ms. Hazel can do circus tricks!” June announces to her father, her voice full of awe.

“I see that.” Emmett’s dark brown eyes land on me for another weighted moment before transferring to his mom. “Dad called. He says you’re starving him.”

Bonnie rolls her eyes. “That man is so dramatic.” She bends down and scoops June up for a hug. “Be good, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her eyes lift up to me. “And I’ll see you as well.”

I nod and smile, trying not to focus on the fact that my new boss just walked in on me doing a handstand. Thank the Lord my shirt didn’t fall down. I’d have to move states with Mikayla after all.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll walk out with you so I don’t get lost,” I say.

“Bye, Ms. Hazel!” June says as she begins trying to do a handstand herself. Hopefully Emmett doesn’t hate me for showing it to her.

“Bye, June,” I say, giving her a genuine smile.

I pass by Emmett in the doorway, nodding to him. In a house like this, I feel like I should bob a curtsy. Especially when the owner of the house looks straight out of Pride and Prejudice . He dips his chin in return. He’s a Mr. Darcy if I’ve ever seen one.

I thought working for the Lawsons kept me on my toes, but I have a feeling the Fosters will be a whole new ball game.