Page 81 of Worth the Try
“But if Elle Belle is living with us now, then won’t we all see each other all the time?”
Ansel and I freeze, looking at each other withnow what?expressions.
“Um,” I start.
“We should probably go get Cleocatra,” she continues, popping a piece of bacon in her mouth. “I bet she’s lonely. And she’sdefinitelyhungry. Right, Elle Belle?”
“Tell you what,” Ansel says. “Let’s let Elodie do some things on her own for a bit this morning. I’d like to take you to the park.”
She shrugs. “Okay.”
Later, as Rosie runs upstairs to get dressed and gather her hair supplies, Ansel pulls me to him in the kitchen.
“Sorry about that.” He smiles down at me, then laughs. “I didn’t realize we were moving in together.”
My cheeks heat. “Yeah…you’ll talk to her?”
“Of course. I need to tell her about Lauren, too. Not the bad stuff, exactly, but she needs to know—” He breaks off and sighs. I squeeze him tight, and he tries again. “She needs to know about her, in case things…”
When it’s clear he can’t finish the sentence, I simply put my head on his chest and hug him. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Is it?” His voice is thick.
I pull back to look at him. “Yes. You’re her father, Ansel. You’re the one who’s been here the whole time, loving her, taking care of her.That’swhat matters.”
Fear, stark and unguarded, lines his face. “I hope you’re right. Because if Lauren—if she takes my little girl?—”
“That’s not going to happen,” I insist.
He swallows. “But if it does.”
“Ansel. It is not going to happen. In no world does this happen.” I sound a lot more certain than I feel, but it doesn’t matter. If Ansel needs me to be the strong one, then I will be. It’s that simple.
“Okay. Okay,” he repeats, looking out the kitchen window. Then he releases a nervous laugh. “I don’t suppose you have any ideas on what I should tell Rosie?”
I hold my hands up. “I got nothing, boss.”
He winces. “Oh, shit.”
“What?”
Gesturing between the two of us, he clarifies, “Us. This. You’re her nanny.”
“Did that slip your mind?” I smile softly. “I’ll keep doing it, Ansel. And if you need someone past August, I’ll do that, too.”
He shakes his head. “No. No way. The preschool should have a spot. Besides, you have your business to launch. I’ll figure something out if I have to, but it should be okay.”
Crossing my arms, I press my lips together. “Let me help you, Ansel.”
“Nope,” he says, pulling me to him and kissing my forehead. “I got this.”
Chapter 28
Ansel
IT TOOK ROSIE all of a week to get Elodie moved in with us.
She started out simple, suggesting that Elodie should have some pajamas for sleepovers. Then swimsuits for the pool. Then clothes to change into after the pool. And then the cat.
