Page 34 of The Desired Nanny
“Kiyah,” he repeated, testing my name before finally dropping my hand.
“And who do you have here?” I asked, focusing on the child.
“This is my loving yet exuberant son, Pete.”
The child finally gave me his full attention, and I swore I could feel my ovaries thump to life. My eyes widened when the little cherub, identical to his father, reached out to me as if we weren’t perfect strangers.
“He likes you,” Todd mentioned. “He tends to shy away from strangers. I guess it’s true when they say children have good instincts. Do you want to hold him?”
“Um… are you sure you should be handing your kid off to a complete stranger? I could make a run for it.”
“I used to be a D1 track runner in college. I’m sure I can catch up to you.”
“Usedto be, and you’re not the only former college athlete,” I said, exchanging the backpack for the curious toddler.
“Let me guess… volleyball and track.”
“Lucky guess,” I confirmed as I bounced the cooing child, who didn’t hesitate to grip a handful of my hair. He wasn’t attempting to snatch it out, so I allowed it.
“Not really. Your physique gave it away. You have well-developed thighs.” He immediately winced. “I’m sorry… that came out weird,” he apologized.
“Just a little,” I teased, closely pressing my thumb and index fingers together. “Are you a doctor or something?”
He barked a laugh and smoothed his hair back. “No, that would be impossible. I get queasy around blood. I’m a state representative, and I’m running for governor.”
I snapped my fingers and pointed at him. “I knew I recognized you from somewhere. I saw you on TV. Vote for me if you want Texas done right.”
“That’s me,” he said, smiling almost sheepishly.
“First of all, you lied.”
“About?” he asked with a quirk of a brow.
“Your name is not Todd.”
He smirked. “Thaddeus Branson Jr. is my full name; however, to those closest to me and strangers who hold my baby, I’m known as Todd.”
“Uh-huh. Second, no hate, but ‘Vote for me if you want Texas done right’ is drier than a well-done steak at Applebee’s. You have to come up with something different.”
“Thank you for your input, Kiyah. I’ve expressed the same sentiment to my campaign manager, but I’m assured that the constituents are responsive to the slogan.”
I shook my head. “No, get rid of it. It makes you sound like a used car salesman—it’s lazy and ineffective, especially if you’re trying to draw in the young crowd.”
“Who says I’m trying to draw in the young crowd?”
“If you’re not, then you should. It’s been proven that people can be strongly loyal to politicians. If you can hook the young crowd now, then you can capitalize on their longevity and continued votes throughout your political career.”
“Did you happen to major in Political Science in school?”
“Guilty.”
“I followed the same route and obtained a law degree once I graduated. Can I count on your vote?”
“Hell nah.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” I said, spinning in a circle with Pete. “Our government is full of corruption from the bottom to the top, and I refuse to be a number at the polls.”
