Page 13

CHAPTER 13

GUNNAR

“H ey, McNeer!” I hear my name being called amidst the chaos in the locker room and turn around to see Peter coming toward me. We just defeated the Montana Mavericks for the third night in a row in front of their home crowd, so players are celebrating. “Your dad called during the game. Said it wasn’t urgent, but he wanted you to call him as soon as the game ended.”

I frown with concern. It’s not like my dad to call during games unless it’s an emergency. “Okay, thanks.” I go to my locker, grab my cell phone and walk out of the room to find somewhere quieter to take the call.

“Hey, Son,” he answers on the first ring. “How did the game go?”

I ignore his question and go straight to the point. “What’s going on, Dad? You never call me during a game. Is Izzy okay?”

“Don’t worry, Izzy’s just fine and is already asleep for the evening,” he reassures me in a calm voice. “Your mom wasn’t watching where she was going and stepped in a pothole. She fractured her ankle bad enough that she needs surgery.”

“Oh, shit. When’s her surgery?”

“Fortunately, they can get her in on Thursday morning, so her ankle will stay wrapped up and in a boot for tonight and tomorrow.”

My mind races as to what I can do to help my family. “I’ll ask the team to put me on the family medical emergency list and I’ll be there tonight. We can figure out how long I need to be out there after mom’s surgery.”

“Son, calm down. We don’t need you to do that. I called Gavin and he said he didn’t need Sosie to stay on the road with him since they only have a couple more shows left, so she’s on an airplane right now to help out.” Sosie is our cousin, who Gavin employs as his personal assistant, and she travels with him for work. “She’ll watch Izzy while I’m with your mom during her surgery. She’ll stay for a couple of days after the surgery to help mom get settled and pack up Izzy’s remaining things. She’s agreed to accompany Izzy back to Tennessee, but you need to call her to discuss those details.”

I shake my head, not liking that it’s still so much on him having an injured wife to take care of. “Dad, it’s no problem for me to be there to help you.”

“I appreciate the offer, Gunnar, but I’ll be fine taking care of your mother by myself.” Both my parents keep themselves in great shape, so I have no doubt my dad can take care of my mom. “Sometimes there are too many cooks in the kitchen. No offense, but having you, Sosie, and Izzy all here would drive us crazy.”

I chuckle because I can see his point.

“I just feel bad that Izzy has to leave earlier than expected. We’re going to miss her.”

“Don’t feel bad, Dad. I’m so grateful to you and Mom for keeping her this past month and traveling back and forth from Texas to Tennessee so I can see her. I know it’s been a burden on you both and I’m sure you’re exhausted from entertaining a five-year-old constantly.”

“Our grandchild is never a burden. We’re happy we could help out, but I do worry about you. Izzy will be there by next week and you need to concentrate on playing ball. Did you find a nanny yet? Aly said she met the perfect one for you, but you had issues with her?”

Damn it, Aly! “Don’t worry about a nanny, Dad. We’ll be just fine,” I sigh, not wanting to even think about my non-existent nanny situation, nor discuss with my dad why Aly’s “perfect” nanny is anything but. “Are you sure I can’t come out there to help?”

“No,” he answers firmly. “Now, tell me how tonight went.”

“It was a solid game. I went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Overall, great road trip.” I hear some voices behind me, so I look over my shoulder to see some of the guys dressed and rolling their suitcases to the bus. “Dad, I’ve got to get going or the team is going to leave me behind. I’ll call Izzy in the morning.”

“Sounds good. Love you, Son. Be safe.”

“Thanks, Dad, you too.”

I hang up with my dad and race back to the locker room to get showered and dressed.

Fifteen minutes later, I make it on the bus and grab a seat next to Carter. “Hey man, is everything okay? We were getting worried that you were kidnapped by a groupie and not coming home with us.”

I laugh. “Nope, I just had a family emergency to deal with but everything seems to be under control.” I tell him what happened with my mom and how Izzy will be here sooner than expected.

“Oh shit, that’s a lot. Did you find a nanny?”

I shake my head. “No. Do you know of anyone? I know you don’t have kids, but maybe you know a friend who can babysit until I find someone more permanent?”

He tilts his head to the side to think about that. “No, but my girlfriend has a best friend who’s a nanny.”

I sit up straight, hope starting to fill me. “Really? Do you think she’s available?”

“I’m not sure. Let me text her.” He pulls out his phone and starts typing on it. “I know she used to work for a Nashville hockey player, but the guy just got traded.”

And just like that, I deflate right back into my seat, suspicion overtaking me as I know who he’s referring to. “Her name wouldn’t happen to be Cassie Warner, would it?”

Carter’s eyes light up. “It sure is! Did you already interview her?”

I scoff at the irony of it all. Cassie did warn me that Nashville was a small town at heart. “Yeah, I did and it won’t work out.”

He frowns in confusion. “Why not? Grace says she’s amazing with kids.”

“Let’s just say, Cassie—and probably Grace as well since their friends—hates my guts.”

“What did you do?”

I proceed to tell Carter a condensed version of what happened with Cassie. “I’m surprised Grace didn’t tell you.”

He blows out a breath. “Yeah, me too, but that shows you how loyal she is to Cassie.”

“Excuse me,” Tripp interrupts and peeks his head around the side of my seat. “I couldn’t help but overhear you ladies gossiping. Can I give you some unsolicited advice?”

I smirk at him calling us ‘ladies’. “I’m sure you will whether I ask for it or not,” I answer him dryly.

He gives me a cocky grin. “Sure will! So here it is: stop whining about how you won’t be able to keep your hands off her because of how incredible the sex is, blah, blah, blah.” He rolls his eyes in annoyance. “Grow some fucking balls by keeping your dick in your pants and then you won’t have any issues. This is a business transaction. Treat it as such. You obviously are in a desperate situation to find someone and your kid should be your first priority.”

“Of course Izzy’s my first priority,” I growl, not appreciating anyone questioning me as a parent.

“Then hire the qualified nanny so you can relax knowing your kid is being taken care of when you’re on the road.”

“This advice is rich coming from someone who has no children and is younger than me,” I huff out, wishing he kept his mouth shut and minded his own damn business.

“Which is exactly why you should be listening to me. You’re welcome.” He gives me a salute and sits back in his seat.

“Tripp is right,” Murph responds from the seat across the aisle. “You need a nanny ASAP, so stop being a jackass and close the deal. Call the agency now and see if she’s even still available. Qualified nannies are hard to come by.”

Just then Carter’s phone dings and he reads his texts. “You're still in luck. Grace says she is available and wants to know why I’m asking?”

I take my phone out of my pocket and look up Katherine Harper’s cell phone number. “Tell her you’ll talk later about it.”

The guys are right. With Izzy potentially being here in as little as five days, I’m desperate enough to hire Cassie. I’m thirty-five years old—of course I can be professional and keep my hands to myself if Cassie becomes our nanny.

If she would be even willing to at this point. I have a lot of groveling to do.

I find Katherine’s number and dial her up. I’m prepared to leave her a voicemail but am relieved when she picks up after the second ring.

“Hello, Mrs. Harper. This is Gunnar McNeer. I’m sorry to bother you so late, but I’ve changed my mind and would like to hire Cassie Warner for the nanny position.”