Page 5 of Healing Hope
Jess gave him a smirk. “She’s not asleep. She ran from the room just a minute before you opened the door.”
He frowned at her, then glanced back along the hallway. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. She was asleep when I looked in on her.”
Jess felt her brows creep up. It wasn’t very often that she was contradicted. It took her a moment to decide how to proceed.
Jess nodded. “I thought she’d left to get you, but obviously she’s playing at something else.”
The man, though he was damn good looking, frowned at her. “I really don’t think she’s playing at anything. She’s five. Or she will be next week. I shut her and the dog inside her bedroom an hour ago and they haven’t been out since.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He scowled, his attractive face taking on an edge. “Of course I am,” he growled.
She pointed at the fairly fresh looking pile of poo, and watched a gamut of emotions cross his face- aggravation, confusion and eventual realization. His jaw firmed. “If you’ll excuse me for just a moment.”
He exited the living room and disappeared around a door jamb. When he returned, he had a wad of paper towels in his hand and a red spray bottle. Kneeling down, the muscles in his thighs pronounced beneath his tan pants, he cleaned up the mess, squirted the rug with Resolve and blotted it away. She heard the thunk of an automatic trash can lid as he threw everything away, then the swish of water as he washed his hands. Hand. How did you wash only one hand?
When he returned, he sank down into the chair, meeting her eyes. “Obviously you have some insight into children.”
Jess laughed. “A bit, maybe. I know they can be incredibly smart and calculating. She knows you don’t have a lot of experience. Am I right?”
He nodded once. “I just took custody of her a month and three weeks ago, after her mother died.”
“You hadn’t been a part of her life before that?”
“No,” Paul answered, running his hand up and down his thigh. “Her mother and I did not get along. She had kept Hope away from me most of her life. I had a few visits over her four years.”
Jess felt bad for the guy. She could see in his closed-down face how much that had aggravated him. Or maybe it was just the fact that someone had dis-ordered his life. “How did she die?”
Paul frowned, obviously not enjoying being on the spot and answering her questions. “Car crash,” he answered succinctly. “She was high on drugs. Unfortunately, Hope was with her.”
Oh fuck... If the kid had been in the car when the woman died, it was hard to tell what she’d seen. The poor baby. “So, where am I going to stay?”
Paul blinked, scowling. “I’m not even sure I’m going to hire you. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun a little? You show up dressed like that,” he waved a hand at her short shorts and bright pink spaghetti strap tank, “and don’t even give me a chance to ask you questions. Are you even qualified to watch children?”
Jess snorted. “I don’t think you have many options coming your way, Mr. Jameson. I’m certified through Helping Hands.”
His jaw firmed, and his eyes chilled. “Don’t mistake the absence in my daughter’s life as disinterest, Ms. Uh, Jess. I care very deeply for my daughter and I want the best care possible for her.”
“I’m sure you do,” she said, trying to bring the tension down a little. Was she just aggravated that he wasn’t falling all over himself, thanking her for coming to the rescue? “My last name is Swan. I’m one of seven kids and I am the oldest at twenty-seven. I’m a trained first responder and my certifications are current. If you need more than that, I also have a psychology degree hanging around, though I haven’t actually used it in a few years. Carolina is a personal friend and I appreciated the business model she wanted to create by aiding veterans, so I jumped into the business with her. I’ve completed more than two-dozen contracts for the company in four countries, with approximately,” she paused to tick on her fingers, “seven directly involving children. I’ve had three speeding tickets in three years. Would you like to see my international driver’s license and passport?” She reached for the bag at her feet.
“That won’t be necessary,” he said gruffly, looking a little chagrined. “I’m sorry I was so curt, Ms. Swan. I’m in a situation I never expected to be in and I hate having to accept aid. I’m sure you can understand that.”
“I can,” she said softly. “And I know I’m not your ideal choice, obviously, but I can be a short-term option while you look for another nanny.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
He glanced at her chest and she realized that he may not have been only looking at her clothes. She wore no bra beneath the tank. Was that his hangup? When she’d stopped at her apartment, she’d thrown her crap inside and left, knowing she was cutting it short on time after stopping to catch up with a neighbor friend of hers. So, she hadn’t changed. Maybe she should have. Having a guy leering at her while she took care of his kid could turn into an awkward situation.
She had to admit, though, if he wanted to play, maybe she wouldn’t be averse to it. Paul Jameson was a handsome guy. Maybe she could be the one to loosen him up…
* * *
Paul didn’t likethe situation he was in. There was a bohemian standing in front of him, promising she could take care of his little girl, but could she really? At the very least he needed to call Carolina and confirm her credentials.
It pissed him off to be caught flat-footed, but he was worn out. If the woman could care for Hope for just a little while, until he found someone more… appropriate for the position. Hell, who was he to judge? Maybe she was a phenomenal young woman and Hope would behave for her like he hoped she would behave for him. Recently the girl had been stubborn. Damn stubborn.
Paul glanced at Ms. Swan, then away. The woman dressed like she was going to the beach rather than a job interview. If a person wanted to be hired, shouldn’t they look like the best person for the job? She probably knew he had no one lined up, and she was the only prospect. Sigh.