Page 9 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Zero qualifications and zero experience are two very different things. You only asked my experience with children, not what my qualifications are,” she hissed. “I don’t have siblings, which doesn’t make me unqualified. Your daughter is also an only child, so clearly, she and I already have something in common. And we were both raised by a single dad.” She paused and blew out a breath. “Yes, my aunt and uncle told me you’re raising Melody on your own, so I know this bit ofinformation, even if you didn’t bother telling me anything before deciding I was unqualified.”
Bridger leaned forward and grabbed the apple sitting on my desk and took a bite, causing us both to turn and look at him, before he directed his attention to Winnie. “Continue. So far, I’m on your side,” he said.
This fucking guy.
“My point is, if I broke down in a rainstorm with your daughter in my car, I wouldn’t fall apart and give up. I would do whatever it took to get her where we needed to be. I’m quick on my feet.” She held her hand up when I started to interrupt. “I’ve volunteered at the nursing home near my apartment in Chicago for years, so I have experience with caring for people, just not children. I have a degree in English literature and a minor in psychology, which means I love to read and I understand the value of reading to children. I graduated top of my class, which means that I’m driven and determined to be the best at whatever I do. So, you should be so lucky to hire me because I will be the best nanny Melody has ever had.”
“I mean, she makes a good point, and the bar is certainly not high in that department,” Bridger said, and I flipped him the bird.
“Bridger, zip it. Winnie, can you please sit down and let me have my say now.”
She shrugged before dropping down in the chair beside my cousin.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. My daughter is my whole world. I just want to make sure I’m hiring someone who can handle the responsibility of caring for a child, because work is getting busier than ever, and there will be times when I’m not able to be around. That would make you the primary caregiver.” I sighed before continuing. “This means cooking for her, bathing her, driving her—and you clearly don’t have a reliable vehicle.”
“I’ve been cooking for my father and myself since I was eight years old, and I’m a damn good cook. I bathe people at the nursing home, and I assure you, bathing an elderly person is not easier than bathing a child.” She tipped her chin up. “And I can’t help that my car is old and unreliable; however, I’m saving up for a new car now. I can ask my aunt and uncle if I can use their car when I need to drive Melody. I was told that the school was close to the house, and I didn’t realize a lot of driving would be involved.”
“Pfft. Your last nanny didn’t even drive Melody, nor could she walk her anywhere, since she barely got off the damn recliner,” Bridger said before chucking the apple core into the garbage can like he was a professional basketball player.
“Bridger.” I pinched the middle of my nose. “Can you please stay out of this. I’m trying to do things differently this time.”
He just smirked like the whole thing was hilarious. “Well, let me just say that I have more cars than I need, so Winnie, I’ll drop a car off at the house for you to use when you drive Melody. Sound good?”
Her mouth hung open, probably wondering if he was serious. Turning to my cousin, I rolled my eyes. “Are you done now?”
“I am. Hire the girl. She went through hell to be here. That already trumps your last hire.” He stood and smirked at me before turning his attention back to Winnie. “And we’ve got a spot for you on the plane, so plan on coming to Paris for my brother’s wedding in a few weeks. We want the big guy to have some fun, so having help will make that a hell of a lot easier on him. See you at the Honey Biscuit Café at noon, Archie.”
Did he seriously just tell her she got the job and that she’s coming to Paris?
Winnie was still gaping at the door when he pulled it closed after he’d walked out, and then she turned to me. “At least one of you thinks I’m qualified.”
“I’m sorry if I insinuated that you weren’t.”
“You didn’t insinuate it—you actually said that it wasn’t going to work.” She looked like she was trying to hide her smile. “Listen, Archer, I really want this job. I promise you, I will take the best care of your little girl. I’m extremely reliable and capable, and if you want to do a trial run, I’m happy to do that.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “All right, let’s try it out for two weeks, and if it’s going well, we can make it permanent. It’s hourly pay, which I’m happy to discuss, and free room and board is included, as long as your hours are flexible.”
“My hours are very flexible,” she said. “I’m an author, and I can write when Melody is at school and in the evenings. I can be available whenever you need me.”
This did seem like a perfect solution.
“You’re an author?”
“Correct. I’m still pretty new to this profession, but I’m having fun with it.”
“Good for you. And you’re okay with making meals if I don’t get home in time for dinner, or occasionally breakfast?”
“I’d actually prefer to do the cooking, especially if you’re offering to feed me.” She chuckled. “I took cooking classes for a few months when I did a summer abroad in France. I promise you, I’m a good cook.”
“Wow. Seems like you know how to do just about anything,” I said, pushing to my feet.
“Well, aside from walking in the rain without falling.” She shrugged as she moved to stand. She extended her hand. “Thank you for the opportunity. When do I start?”
I chuckled. Did she think I was going to just leave her here when we both knew she didn’t have a working car?
“How about we go jump your car, get the thing running, and then you can meet me at my house after I pick Melody up from school this afternoon, and you can meet her and see the casita,and make sure it’ll work for you. It’s not a huge space, but it’s got its own bedroom and bathroom, and you’d have access to the kitchen and laundry room in the main house.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice quieter now, as if she was surprised by my words.
