“You’ve come to me for help. Let me help.”
“How?”
“You wanted financial help. I’ll give it.”
“You’d pay my rent? And make my car payment? And give me an allowance for food and incidentals?” Her brows pulled. “I don’t think so. I couldn’t accept that. I don’t want to be that dependent on anyone.”
“Don’t think of it that way. Think of it as earning a salary. Instead of paying for a nanny, I’d pay you.”
“Which would make you my employer.” Her cheeks flushed a dark pink. “No, thank you.”
“But you need an employer.”
“I have one. And it’s a job I like very much, too. I need help paying for a nanny, that’s all.”
“But that’s not all you need. You’ve made it clear that you want my family to be part of his life. You want us to ease some of the responsibility. So let us do that. Let me do that.”
She pushed the tray back and rose. “I can take him now. I’m finished.”
“No need. I have him. Why don’t you relax?”
/>
Her jaw tensed. She tried to smile but it was strained. “I’m sure you have things to do, whereas I have nothing.”
“You could rest. Take a nap—”
“Can’t. I don’t really sleep anymore.” But she did sit down again, and her hands folded in her lap. She was still smiling, but the smile was brittle. He saw for the first time the tension at her mouth and the shadows under her eyes.
“Is Michael sleeping?” Gio asked.
“He still wakes up at least once each night.”
No wonder she was exhausted. “At what point do babies sleep through the night?”
“He should be able to sleep through the night now. I’m afraid it’s a habit he’s developed. He doesn’t drink much when he wakes up. He likes to socialize.” Her lips pressed into a line. “I’m trying to convince him that daytime is much better for play.”
“Perhaps I should hire a night nurse while you’re here—”
“No! Don’t do that. He’d be frightened. It’s hard enough not being in his own bed, in his own room. Having a stranger care for him would surely confuse him.”
“But what about you? Couldn’t you use a night of uninterrupted sleep?”
“Yes, but I would feel guilty, and then I wouldn’t sleep and it’d be a pointless exercise all the way around.”
Gio glanced down into Michael’s face and then at Rachel. “But if you hope to return to work, you need to get used to help. Soon you’ll be away from him for eight hours or more a day.”
He could see the misery in her eyes. She wasn’t happy about that, either.
Gio gave her a long thoughtful look. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s time I did my part.” He carefully eased the baby back into her arms. “We’ll discuss this tonight. Let’s meet for drinks in the library at seven. Signora Fabbro will stay with Michael.”
“Mrs. Fabbro?” she repeated.
He nodded once and walked out.
* * *
Heart pounding, Rachel watched Gio leave, her insides a jittery mess.