Ronnie doesn’t hesitate to fling herself at the reluctant nanny. “We’re gonna have so much fun together!”
The redhead exhales and hangs her head. It’s the sight of being bested by a worthy opponent. If I squint just right, I can picture her obedience belonging to me. She makes surrender look damn sexy.
“Couldn’t resist if I tried,” Frankie admits on a mutter.
My little girl beams up at her. “I’m having a tea party in the barn. It’s just me and my dogs. Wanna play too?”
“Ummm…”
“Or we can play hide and seek. You can be it. Come find us, m’kay?” Ronnie whirls on her heel and takes off without waiting for a response.
“Welcome home, menace,” I chuckle.
“You won’t get away with this.”
“Looks like I already am.”
Fury vibrates from every pore in her body. “I hate you.”
“That’s not very nice.”
“You catch on quick.”
“Are you going to behave?”
She spews contempt from her flared nostrils. “No.”
A slow smile spreads across my lips. “Promise?”
“Quit gloating.” Her heavy stomps pound the grass as she begins following after Ronnie.
“Why would I do that? This is cause for celebration. We’re tied together.”
Frankie tosses me a grin over her shoulder. “Good thing I packed scissors.”
Aball of energy bursts into the room like an alarm clock cranked to max. “Wake up, wake up, wake up!”
I fling upright in bed. My fuzzy vision barely makes out the shape of Ronnie rushing at me. She’s carrying a tray and a smile that could replace the rising sun.
“Such a sleepy head. Don’t worry. I brought you breakfast.” She places what now appears to be a large storage container lid on my lap.
I blink at the assortment of plastic items and clay blobs. “Um, I can’t eat this.”
She huffs. “It’s just pretend. Like yesterday, remember? You have to use your imagination.”
The disappointment in her tone hits my inexperience like a slap to the back of the head. I deserve it. Never did I ever think I’d be in a situation like this.
For whatever reason, this innocent kid believes I’m capable of being her nanny. I couldn’t be less qualified if I tried. But her pretty green stare is full of anticipation.
A long sigh breezes from my lips. I might not be fit for the position, but I’m not a quitter either.
“This looks delicious.” I grab the spoon and scoop some beads from a dish, bringing what I imagine to be rainbow soup to my mouth. “Yummy.”
Ronnie leans forward. “Is it good?”
My nod is instant. “Mhmm, best breakfast I’ve ever had.”
Her giggle is shrill and forgiving. I realize I’m smiling, which is startling. That’s not enough for Ronnie. Before I can brace myself, she’s launching herself into the empty space beside me and settling under the covers. Disbelief snorts out of me in an obnoxious noise. She just beams at me as if I’m the reason for her happiness. This girl has no boundaries with someone who’s practically a stranger, but I applaud her tenacity.