Make Me Yours(22)

“That’s nice.” She leans forward to look over my shoulder. “I looked at one of those a while back, but it seemed so expensive…” Her tone makes it clear she wants to know how I could afford an Apple watch. Like it’s any of her business. “And I’m so old, you know.”

“It was a Christmas present from my mom.”

“Oh… of course.”

Checking my watch also shows I have twenty minutes left to get Lillie. “I guess you drive slower than I do, too.”

She grins, and her eyes narrow as if she’s sizing me up. “Tell me, Ruby, why does an educated, attractive young woman like you want to be a nanny? I’m sure there’s something you’d rather be doing besides babysitting someone else’s daughter.”

“Being a nanny is not the same as a babysitter.” I already had this conversation with my mother; now I’m having it with the Dark Lord. Lordess? But while Ma is overly helpful, Eleanor is manipulative, controlling, and pouty. “Anyway, I like Lillie. She’s adorable.”

“We don’t need you.”

“Remi seems to have a different opinion on the matter. He said he needed help, and I’m here to help. It’s the Christian thing to do.”

I couldn’t resist tossing in that jab.

Church ladies love being so holier than thou.

“I know you, Ruby Banks. I’ve seen you at church, and you’ve never struck me as particularly Christ-like.” I’m pretty sure she’s trying to insult me, but I’ve never worried about my reputation in Oakville. “Do you even know CPR?”

“Do you?”

Her eyes flare. “What is it you really want?”

I pause, considering her question, how to answer, and I decide to give her the truth. “I want what I think everyone wants—to be useful, to help others, to be independent.”

“To find a husband?”

“When the time is right. Speaking of time… Don’t want to get fined!” I pat my watch and give her a perky smile as I walk out the door.

Nice try, Eleanor.





8





Remi


I’m deep in a proposal Stephen forwarded me about a new developer in Manhattan when I hear singing downstairs.

At once, I’m on my feet, hustling to the kitchen so I don’t miss lunch. Rounding the corner, the sight hits me again, right in the stomach.

Lillie follows Ruby to the microwave while they both sing “Be Our Guest”—another Disney princess song. I happen to know this one.

Watching her, I’m completely mesmerized, and I can’t help remembering our near-kiss less than an hour ago. Despite all my logical, reasonable decision-making, the moment I was alone with Ruby, I found myself a breath away from taking her.

We came so close… Seriously, if Eleanor hadn’t interrupted us, I can pretty much guarantee, I’d have done more than kiss Ruby.

The heat between us is so strong… It doesn’t help I can see she wants me as much as I want her. Now here she is, dancing and singing with my daughter, and I’m completely helpless.

I’m totally at her mercy.

“Don’t believe me?” Ruby sings, popping the plate in the appliance and pressing a button.

Lillie’s right behind her. “Ask the dishes!”

Ruby holds her hand while Lillie turns, and a smile splits my cheeks. “What’s going on in here?”

“Daddy!” Lillie screams and runs to where I’m standing, leaping into my arms. “Ruby’s making me pigs in blankets! Only they’re not really pigs. They’re little bitty hot dogs!”

She’s so excited, she’s bouncing on my waist, and I look over at Ruby. She blinks down, and her cheeks flush. I’m not sure if it’s me or all the dancing.

“It’s crescent rolls around cocktail weenies. I hope that’s okay.” She looks up at me, and her eyes are so bright.

“I think it sounds great. Are there enough for me?”

Her expression melts into a genuine laugh, and I’m a goner. “I think so. I’ve got baby carrots to go with them.”

She holds up a bowl with carrots and another with ranch dressing.

“My favorite.”

A minute passes, the microwave beeps, and I’m at the table with my daughter, crunching carrots and hearing all about her day.

“Then Louie said girls couldn’t play with toy soldiers. Only boys could, and I said that’s stupid. Hasn’t he seen Mulan?”

Lillie hasn’t stopped talking, lifting a small hot dog and pulling the crescent roll off it. “Look, Daddy. My pig lost his blanket.” She starts giggling, and I grin, smoothing a hand down her head.

Ruby isn’t with us. I noticed when we sat down, she slipped out of the room. I don’t know where she went, and it bothers me she’s not here.

“Wrap him up again.” I kiss her head. “I’ll be right back.”

The living room is empty as is Lillie’s playroom. I’m about to jog up the stairs when I see her outside the back doors, standing on the patio.

When I step through the open door, she seems startled. “I’m sorry. Is lunch over?”

“Not quite. Don’t you want some pigs in blankets? Did I eat your lunch?”