Page 36 of The Big Puck

The scene tugs at my heart with the promise that he’ll be happy like that again. All he needs is to rediscover the power of love. Maybe it’ll be Krissy’s love or his girlfriend’s love, or even Aunt Hildie, that finally cracks the icy armor guarding his chest.

But it’s not going to be me, and I need to realize that. I knew that, didn’t I? Why am I even worried about it? I’m taking a break from the romantic love wars after my lost battle with Moe.

I knock on the door to get her attention from the book she’s reading, and she looks up at me. Her smile is instantaneous and filled with so much life and joy I feel a kindred connection that feeds my energy. “Aunt Hildie, I presume. I’m—”

“Lainey Hall. How lovely to meet you. And the adorable little Krissy.” She tosses her book onto the bed covers and reaches out a hand to invite us closer.

Lifting Krissy from the stroller, I hold her out to Aunt Hildie. The woman takes her in her arms like a natural.

“Would you like to give Krissy her bottle?”

“I could think of nothing more wonderful.” Aunt Hildie takes the bottle from me when I remove it from the bottle warmer, and she settles in, propped up in her bed, smiling and cheery with Krissy in her arms, feeding her.

Talking to the baby, she says, “Do you know how lucky you are to have Spencer for your daddy, and now, you have a lovely young sparrow of a woman like Lainey to take care of you.” She looks up at me, settled with Krissy in her arms, aims her sage old eyes at me, and I feel her spirit full of energy.

“I’m delighted that Spencer found you. I can tell on sight that you’re perfect for my nephew.”

“For Spencer?” My mind takes a guilty turn. “I’m here to care for Krissy, not—”

She waves a hand. “Pish posh. Of course, you’re perfect for Krissy, too.”

I blush because, of course, Aunt Hildie meant I’m perfect for Spence because I’m perfect for Krissy. What is wrong with me?

“I couldn’t have found a more perfect situation than caring for Krissy and—”

“Oh, don’t mistake me. I’m talking about more than your position as the nanny. I think you’re perfect for Spencer. You and he are a perfect match.”

Now, I flush with full-fledged embarrassed heat and find a need to deflect with humor because she’s talking about the unmentionable—me and Spencer? That’s one of those dreams that only comes alive at night when I’m asleep, never to be contemplated during the light of day, let alone be spoken aloud.

In real life, we are so totally inappropriate together in the same sentence, let alone the same…whatever. I was thinking same bed, but I can’t let my mind go there, especially not after that dream I had last night. Do. Not. Go. There.

Recovering from my weak and ill-advised foray into Spence-laden sex fantasies, I manage to say, “Is it the red polka dot dress?”

Aunt Hildie laughs. “Maybe. It reminds me of something I would’ve worn out in the fifties. Wherever did you get it?” She waves a hand. “Never mind—I digress. It’s not your dress, it’s you. You’re delightful and extraordinarily cheery. In a word, exactly what Spencer needs to bring him around.”

“To bring him around?”

“Yes. To his full potential.”

“Full potential?” My heart speeds up because I’ve thought the same, but that’s me and my starry-eyed self talking. Coming from his actual aunt, a blood relative, the words take on a different proportion. “I’m only the nanny—”

“Oh, pooh. Not that you’re not a perfect nanny, but you’re so much more, don’t you see?”

I do see, but she has me and my normally mouthy mouth paralyzed. I nod.

She kisses Krissy’s forehead and then goes on. “He’s a brooder, always was, but he has a kind heart and a determined soul, and he works harder than anyone I know—which is quite a few notable people since I’ve lived in this city all my life—including the mayor.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“He needs a spunky sunny person like you to save him from himself, I think.”

“I’ll do my best—I mean, I am doing my best to cheer him, to create a cheery atmosphere.”

“I’m sure you are, but maybe I should make myself crystal clear.” She stops and really studies me up and down and looks into my eyes with such intensity that I swear she must see through me, right down to my bones, to my soul, and every secret I harbor there.

Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders because I have honorable intentions, right? I have nothing to hide. Except for a few harmless fantasies of naked Spence—

The older woman cuts into my stray thoughts. “What I have in mind is more than pleasant surroundings, a positive attitude, and a sunny smile to cheer him, sweetheart. No, my dear girl, what I think you have to offer my nephew is the whole shebang—with an emphasis on the bang.” She winks.