Page 5

Getting into my car, I crank the key in the ignition and follow Maggie along a narrow dirt trail that runs between the rows of trees to the back of the property.

The sun beats down through the full branches. Each limb weighed down by juicy red apples. They look good enough to eat.

A short drive later, a small cabin comes into view, nestled in between vibrant evergreen trees. Their crisp, woodsy aroma hits my nose without even rolling my windows down. It’s refreshing with a hint of sweetness.

Nothing like the damp, exhaust and garbage scents that assault my nostrils in the heart of New York City .

The constant noise of the city is usually overwhelming to my sensitive ears, but out here, it’s quiet. Serene. Only the soft twitter of songbirds and the whoosh of the gentle breeze.

Maybe being in the middle of nowhere for the next few months won’t be so bad. Maybe I’ll even like it.

Especially if I get to drool over Maggie on a daily basis.

Pulling up next to the four-wheeler, I shift into park, grab my overnight bag from the backseat, and get out of my car. “This place is really beautiful.”

Maggie smiles, helping Lily off the ATV and removing her helmet.

“The previous owner told us this was the original building on the property. They had it restored when they built the new farmhouse.” She points through the trees in the direction we came from.

Her white two-story home is barely visible from the guest house, giving it a feeling of privacy and solitude.

“Annie and Cyrus stay here occasionally, but it’s clean and fully stocked with linens.

It’s all yours for the next few months.” Slipping a key into the doorknob, she unlocks it before opening the wooden door.

Lily zooms past us, making a beeline for the bed.

“Uh-ah, Lil. No jumping on Viktor’s bed. This is his space now.”

With a huff, Lily plops on her butt and scoots off the bed.

I can’t help but chuckle at the utter disdain for her mother written on her face.

“It’s not much.” Maggie walks past me, and I’m hit by her intoxicating aroma again. Following her, I suck in a lungful. I can only hope the sweet smell lingers in the air even after she leaves .

She’s completely oblivious as she brushes a hand over the narrow kitchen counter. “But you’ll be close to the main house. I expect you to at least stay here Monday through Friday. The weekends will be your time, so you can come and go as you please.”

The cabin is one large room, divided into a kitchen, living space, and bedroom by the furniture. A bathroom adorned in modern fixtures is the only walled-in space.

“You should have everything you need except laundry, so feel free to use the main house for that. I usually aim to start work at eight, but it’s been hit or miss without childcare.”

I nod. “I’ll be at the main house by 7:45 each morning.”

“Thank you. Lily has summer camp at the elementary school on Wednesday mornings. And swim lessons at the Community Center on Thursday afternoons. You’ll have to take her to those.”

I nod again. “Of course.” So far, their schedule seems pretty basic compared to what I’m used to.

Many of the children I’ve nannied in the past were so booked with activities, they hardly had time to be children.

To be wild and impulsive. Making mistakes and learning life lessons through experience.

Sometimes it felt like I was simply there to shuttle the children from place to place, while the parents avoided all responsibility. Based on my first impression, Maggie seems to be much more involved in her child’s life.

“You can either take my car or grab the booster seat out of it for your car. ”

Scratching the back of my neck, I glance at Maggie. “I actually have a booster seat in my car already. Based on Lily’s age, I anticipated she still needed one.”

Maggie’s eyebrows rise. “Oh.”

“It’s the best money can buy. Safety first, right?” I chuckle when her jaw falls slack.

Clearing her throat, her mouth tips into a crooked grin, showcasing my new favorite thing… the gap between her otherwise perfectly straight teeth. “Well, you really are Mary Poppins. Aren’t you?”

I match her smile with one of my own, puffing my chest out a little when her cheeks darken and her pulse visibly hastens in her delicate neck.

A dull ache, like I’ve never experienced before, fills my fangs. Strange . It takes all my restraint to keep my feet planted on the ground. Foreign need rushes through me; the need to sink my fangs into her perfect flesh and taste her sweet nectar.

Before my thoughts turn too debauched, I shake my head and spin to examine the room further. “Like I said before, I’ve been doing this for a long time. Liliana is safe under my care.”

The slender column of Maggie’s throat ripples with a swallow, her tone soft when she speaks. “I believe you.”

Lily zooms around us, a stuffed unicorn she magically produced from somewhere held in her hand. Keeping my voice quiet, I pry for a little more information. “What about Lily’s father? Is there anything I should know? The agency only listed you on the file.”

Suddenly, Maggie’s whole demeanor shifts, and my heart clenches.

Gone is our playful back-and-forth. Shoulders rolling in, she crosses her arms protectively around her stomach.

“Lily’s father passed away a few years ago.

” Tears shimmer in her eyes when she finally meets my gaze, grief evident in her green irises.

Fuck, I want to hug her, pull her tight to my chest and bury her in my scent. Drown her sorrows in me.

Somehow, I resist that urge. I must be a fucking saint—more like a glutton for punishment. The heartbreak in her eyes tears a shred off my own heart.

Instead, I play it safe and opt for words I hope are comforting. “My condolences, Maggie. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful.”

A few blonde curls tumble free, framing her face when she shakes her head. “You would have found out sooner or later. Better to get it out of the way now.” There’s pain in the slight wobble of her voice. Pain I’d do anything to take away.

Fuck it. Hastily, I step closer, deciding to cross the line I drew earlier, and set a hand on her shoulder.

To my surprise, she leans in, her warmth cascading up my arm and spreading through my chest. “You know, I’m not just here for Lily.

If you ever need a night off or some time to yourself, I’m happy to step in so you can have a break. Just say the word.”

As the full weight of her stare lifts to mine, I get lost in her beautiful eyes. “Thank you, Viktor. I really appreciate the offer.”

“Of course. And I’m also a really good listener… if you ever want to talk about anything.”

Her lips tip into a sad smile as she sniffles. “I just might take you up on that.” Glancing at her smartwatch, she suggests, “Why don’t you spend the rest of the day getting settled? Lily and I have some errands to run, so we’ll see you in the morning. 7:45?”

I nod, setting my bag by my feet. “I’ll be there with bells on.”

She places the key in my hand, and my fingers curl around the cool metal. Once again, I relish her soft touch, soaking it in before she pulls away and walks to the door. “Great. Come on, Lily bug. Time to go grocery shopping.”

Lily sprints to the door, hugging her mother’s legs. “Can I get a gumball?”

Maggie nods, but her attention is on me. Her eyes stay trained on my face as she looks over her shoulder. I’m graced with one more shy smile before she and Lily head back to the four-wheeler.

The subtle glances. The flushed cheeks and flirty banter. If I was a gambling man, I’d wager this attraction between us is mutual.

Except, there’s rawness in the glimpse of sorrow she displayed earlier. What’s the story behind the death of her husband? Maggie must be in her mid-thirties, making me think her husband’s death was unexpected and possibly tragic. How deep does her heartache go?

And how do I help her heal?