Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“I’m next,” Knox tells him.
“That would be me.” Corie raises her hand. “You all had both kids all morning. You have to share,” she tells her husband.
“When our baby gets here—” Knox starts, but Rowan interrupts him.
“You’ll share them with us.” She gives her brother-in-law an exaggerated smile.
“What she said.” I point at Rowan.
Knox grumbles something about stealing his kid, and I smile.
Baker’s phone rings, and he looks at the screen. “I need to take this.”
“Come to Uncle Knox, big man.” Knox reaches for Camden, who’s still chewing on an egg roll, not a single care in the world.
Baker stands and walks away. I can’t help but wonder if it’s Natasha and more drama coming from her. Maybe she decided to come home after all and wants to see Camden. For the little guy, I hope that’s the case.
“Well, sh—shoot,” Baker says, dropping back into his seat, glancing over at his son.
I’m proud of the guys. They’ve done so well cleaning up their potty mouths when the kids are around.
“What’s up?” Reid asks him.
Baker runs his hands through his hair. “That was Mrs. Ward. Apparently, her daughter is expecting twins, her first grandchildren, and she’s moving to be closer to her so she can watch her grandkids.”
“Damn,” Reid mutters.
“I’m happy for her, and I knew that this might one day be a possibility, but with Natasha being as flaky as she’s been, and training camp starting next week, I’m in a bind.”
“When is she quitting?” Bellamy asks. “Did she give you notice?”
“No. I guess her daughter is at high risk, so she’s leaving to stay with her. She was apologetic, and I get it. I hate it, but I understand it, too. She needs to be with her daughter. She’s a good mother,” he says, and we can all read through the lines of what he’s not saying about Camden’s mother.
“What can we do?” Corie asks.
Baker reaches over and runs his hands over Camden’s head, earning a smile from his son. “I don’t know. I hate the idea of leaving him with someone I don’t know. I hated it when we first hired Mrs. Ward, too, but she was highly recommended, and there was just something about her that made you feel calm, and I trusted her.”
“We’re here for whatever you need,” Foster tells him. “We’ll make it work.”
“I can watch him for now,” Bellamy offers.
“You have your job,” Baker tells her.
“Yeah, about that. I’m training my replacement, and then I’m going to stay at home for a while with Coral, just until she’s older.”’
“It’s going to be longer than that, Bell, because our girl needs brothers and sisters,” Reid tells his wife.
Bellamy grins at him. “I’m happy to help.” She turns her attention back to Baker.
“I appreciate that, I do, but I need someone now.”
“I can do it,” I offer. “I’m off work indefinitely.” I shrug.
“What?” all five guys ask at once.
“What does that mean?” Landry asks. He’s always been like a brother to me because of my relationship with his sister.
“It means that due to budget cuts, my position was eliminated.”
“Damn, Sloane, I’m sorry to hear that,” Knox says.
“Thank you.” I smile at him before turning to Baker. “I’m happy to help you. I’m certified in CPR, and I love kids, and I’d much rather spend my time with Camden than waiting tables downtown.”
“What happens if you find another teaching job?” Baker asks.
“I’d have plenty of notice, and I’ve been looking for a week, and so far, nothing is available that’s not at least an hour’s drive from home.”
“You’d have to stay with me, at my place—at least during training camp, and when we’re out of town with the team,” Baker says cautiously.
I can see his wheels turning over in his brain as he processes this situation.
“Let’s see, stay at your mega mansion with the cutest little boy ever, or over my parents’ garage in my tiny one-bedroom apartment?” I tap my chin as if the decision’s complicated. “I can handle it,” I assure him. Then it hits me that maybe he doesn’t want me watching his son. “No pressure.” I raise my hands. “But I’d be happy to help.”
Baker stares at me with all the intensity that his hazel eyes are capable of, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. I wish I could get a better read on him.
No matter the outcome of my working for him, even if it’s just to fill in while he finds a new permanent nanny, which is best, we’re both helping each other out. The chance of me finding aa job for this upcoming school year, seems unlikely this close to the term starting.
Chapter Five
Baker
* * *
Sloane smiles at me, and it’s comforting. I should be screaming hell yes. I trust her, Camden loves her, and it would make my life so much easier, but then again, if she finds a job and leaves me stuck again, that would suck.