Page 36 of Worst Nanny Ever (Babes of Brewing #2)

Turning my attention back to Dottie, I ask, “Uh....were they supposed to be hidden all around the house? I thought he and Hannah were playing hide-and-seek with them.”

She clucks her tongue. “Oh, no. We developed a sound strategy for their placement. Well, no harm. I’d be happy to come over and help him relocate them to their rightful places.”

“Was there supposed to be one in the cereal box? Because I have a very strict ‘no rocks in our food’ policy that I’m not willing to bend on.”

She cocks her head. “Oh, yes, I see. I did tell him to put the citrine in the kitchen, but perhaps he felt he needed to keep it hidden.” She gives me a serious look. “I don’t want to alarm you, but he might be under the impression you’re closed-minded.”

Liam makes another choking sound, but this time I’m pretty sure he’s trying not to laugh.

“I’m surprised he’s so ‘open-minded,’” I say. “He loves science.”

Dottie presses a hand to her chest. “So do I, my dear. It’s science that creates the beauty of all of those stones, but it’s something else that gives them their power—a force not even science can explain. Would you allow me to spend some time arranging them with Ollie?”

“All right,” I say. “I’m sure he’d enjoy that.”

It’ll mean granting yet another person access to my home—worse, a person who intends to hide sharp little rocks everywhere to potentially hit me in the head and stub my toes, but I don’t feel anxious about it.

This is something Ollie obviously wants.

Something that might make him feel happier and more confident. More at home in our house.

If that means a little more upheaval, so be it. It’s a time of revelations, and I’m not above admitting that the biggest way I’ve messed up with both Ollie and Hannah is by being too rigid. Too stuck in my opinions about how things are supposed to be .

Eugene bustles back to our table with a fresh name tag on his sweater vest. I’m Eugene, ask me about my spreadsheets!

“What kinds of spreadsheets do you like to make, Eugene?” Liam asks, crossing his arms.

“First tell me why you’re not working.”

Dottie tips her head at Eugene, a sweet, encouraging smile on her face.

He sighs and rewords his reasonable question. “Is there a reason why you’re not working now, Liam?”

She beams at him, nodding in approval.

“I’m creating community by talking to Travis.” Liam gestures to me. “And we’re connecting because my sister works for him. It’s possible we could collaborate on a new beer, because Travis has an extensive background in boating.”

I laugh despite myself. “Well, Hannah did warn me that you’re an asshole.”

Liam gives me a small smile. “Funny, she said the same to me about you.”

“I think that’s just wonderful,” Dottie says. “Don’t you, Eugene? Creating connections is what community is all about.”

Eugene looks like he’s about to blow a gasket, but he still nods several times like a bobblehead before saying, “Yes. Of course. It’s wonderful for people to call each other names.

” Turning to me, he adds, “I hope you don’t mind, but Hannah asked me to pass that Maritime individual’s post along to my son so he could do some research.

Cormac said he’d look into it, but he’s traveling, so it might take a couple of days. ”

Another favor Hannah’s done for me without being asked.

I steeple my fingers and nod. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you could keep it quiet.”

Liam laughs. “Good luck with that. Those women created a scene. Everyone in town’s going to be talking about it before long.” His expression turns fierce. “They were clearly meant to. Which brings us back to my earlier point: who would hold a grudge against you?”

At this particular moment, it feels like everyone resents me. But I share Hannah’s theory about Rachel.

Liam shrugs. “Seems a little more personal than that. If she barely knows you and thinks you could bust her, I don’t know why she’d go to the trouble. Who else?”

I rub my forehead. “I don’t know. My ex-girlfriend, maybe.

Or…” I pause, my mind sluggish. Then an idea pops into my head, surprising me.

“Maybe Rob’s brother Jonah.” I know both Liam and Dottie are aware of the Jonah situation, but for Eugene’s sake, I add, “My buddy’s dating Jonah’s ex-fiancé, so he might feel like he has a score to settle. ”

“You young people,” Eugene says, shaking his head, “sleeping around like you’re playing musical beds.”

Liam’s hand tightens around his beer. “Nah, I don’t think it’s him.”

“Why?”

“I told him I’d beat his face in if he went anywhere near my sister again, and he knew I meant it. He nearly pissed himself.”

I believe Jonah would be afraid of Liam—he’d be stupid not to be—but at the same time…

“I wouldn’t put it past him to try. He might not know she’s working for me. Maybe I’ll pay him a visit.”

“Anyone else?”

I glance at Eugene, then add, “The only other person who seems to dislike me is Mrs. Applebaum.”

“Moira Applebaum has more integrity in her little finger than either of you,” Eugene says with feeling.

I shrug, thinking about the sour look on her face after she told me I’d shown her class quite enough fun, and surely it was time for me to move along and entertain someone else. “Wasn’t saying she’d do it, but she definitely doesn’t like me.”

That’s when it hits me. Hannah wants to play matchmaker for Eugene and Mrs. Applebaum. Helping her with the matchmaking would be a way of showing her I care, wouldn’t it?

“Does Moira like music?” I ask.

Eugene frowns, as if thrown by the abrupt change in topic, but something in him shifts, maybe at the thought of Moira Applebaum listening to music. With a dreamy smile, he says, “She did tell me she has a certain fondness for acoustic music. ‘Blue River’ is one of her favorite tunes.”

I barely repress a grimace. “Well, we can certainly work with that.”

He flinches. “I’ll have you know Moira Applebaum is not open to bribery. She has the strictest moral integrity.” A mournful sigh seeps out of him. “I have personal reasons for knowing that.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a long story,” he says, fiddling with his mustache.

“Let me get us some drinks to go with our little cakes,” Dottie says, seeming to abandon whatever original plan she had for the free samples. “I do love a good story. We’ll get you all sorted out, Eugene. Don’t you worry.”

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out, expecting Hannah, but it’s a string of messages from Rob.

Where are you, man?

Bixby had to go home, but we need to talk.

This got way out of hand.

“Looks like our party’s about to get bigger,” I say, glancing around at the others.

The thought of talking about this afternoon’s performance has me downing the rest of my beer. I abandoned Rob and Bixby, and even though I didn’t have much of a choice, I feel like an ass for that, too.

Liam gives me a censuring look as I set the empty bottle down. “That’s a sipping beer. You want a beer to chug, get something they serve in the taproom.”

I knock my knuckles against the side of the table. “I’m going to do that. Should I get a pitcher?”