Page 13 of One Hot Daddy

"Dad doesn't usually let us have the good cookies," she continues, still suspicious but accepting the treat from me.

"Well, today's special."I pour four glasses of milk, noting how they all watch me move around their kitchen."Tell me about school.How was your day?"

Henry immediately launches into an animated story about how his teacher, Mrs.Patterson, brought her pet hamster to class and it escaped, causing what he describes as "total hamster mayhem."His hands wave dramatically as he reenacts the great hamster hunt, complete with sound effects.When Henry shares a story from school, I always end up laughing at his performance.

"You're not gonna tell us to use our 'indoor voices,' are you?"Charlotte asks, watching me intently.

"Nope.I'm more concerned with the hamster's safety than noise levels."I wink at Henry who grins back, cookie crumbs dotting his chin.

Amelia picks at her cookie, breaking it into tiny pieces."So, how long are you actually planning to stay?"

Her tone suggests she doesn't believe I'll stick around for more than a day and a half.

I meet her gaze directly."Until you guys are sick of me or your dad fires me.Whichever comes first."

"That could be tomorrow," Joshua warns, but I notice he's on his second cookie.

"Could be," I agree."But I hope not.I just got unpacked, and it would be a real pain packing everything up again."

Henry tugs at my sleeve, his eyes wide."Did you know I can burp the alphabet?Wanna hear?"

"Henry!"Charlotte groans."That's disgusting."

"I'd actually be impressed," I say, trying not to laugh at Charlotte's horrified expression."But maybe save that particular talent for outside, okay, Henry?"

He beams at me like I've just handed him the keys to a candy store."You're not like the other nannies."

"I'll take that as a compliment."I wipe a milk mustache from his upper lip with my thumb.The gesture seems natural, like I've been doing it for years instead of minutes.

Joshua watches this interaction with narrowed eyes."The last nanny cried when Henry showed his pet worms to her."

"Worms don't scare me," I assure him, though I'm not exactly eager to meet Henry's slimy friends."I grew up on a farm in Arkansas.I've seen plenty worse than worms."

That seems to impress the boys, especially Joshua."A farm girl, huh?That's cool."

"Tell me more about these pet worms," I say to Henry, whose face lights up as if I've just offered him a lifetime supply of ice cream.

"They live in my special dirt box!I named them all after superheroes.The fattest one is Hulk."He bounces on his toes."Wanna see them?"

The front door opens, and all the banter goes quiet.

I swivel my head around to see Fletcher shutting the door.He seems harried, as if his employees caused him trouble today.I smile brightly at him."Welcome home, Fletcher.The kids and I were just having a little snack.Want a cookie?"

I hold one out toward him, but he shakes his head.

Henry rushes up to his father, offering him a one-third eaten cookie."They're soooo good, Dad!"

Fletcher looks exhausted, his tie slightly askew and his hair more disheveled than when he left.But when Henry beams up at him with that chocolate-smudged grin, his entire expression softens.

"Thank you, mate," he says, accepting the mangled cookie and taking a small bite."Mmm, delicious."

Henry giggles and bounces back to his seat.I notice the way Fletcher's eyes sweep the kitchen, taking in the clean counters and organized space.His gaze lingers on me for just a moment longer than necessary, and heat rushes through me.

"How did it go, Jennifer?"he asks, loosening his tie and then removing it completely.

"Great.We've just been getting to know each other."When he rolls up his sleeves, exposing muscular biceps, I swear my mouth waters."We've covered hamster escapes, pet worms, and the great cinnamon disaster."

Fletcher rubs his neck."Could you mind the children while I have a shower?"