River cradles his hand behind Scarlett’s head and adjusts her body so they’re chest-to-chest. “I’m terrified that she’s going to need more than I’m able to give her.”
River still second-guesses his ability to care for Scarlett. I would have fully agreed with any doubt he might have had if you’d asked me eight weeks ago, but he has progressed so much these last two months. I’m amazed by the growth I’ve seen in this man. And it’s my job to encourage him to keep up the good work.
“You’ve come an incredibly long way in a short amount of time. Don’t doubt yourself or your abilities to take care of Scarlett. You’re doing a wonderful job with her.”
River looks over at me and chuckles. “Man, I wish we could take you home with us. I’d never have to worry about Scarlett having the best of care. And I’m certain that she wouldn’t mind having her favorite nurse around all of the time.”
“I adore her. I wouldn’t mind taking care of her all of the time.” I’m going to miss her terribly when she’s gone.
River stops rocking and looks at me, a crease growing over his brow. “Are you married?”
Are you married?What a sudden and odd change in conversation.
“No.” Not anymore. Not after my husband decided that it was okay for him to date other women while I was working twelve-hour shifts.
“Children?”
“No.” I smile, but it’s a mask to disguise the loss and pain that never leaves my heart.
I desperately wanted to have a baby. I was so happy when I peed on that stick and saw two pink lines, but that baby wasn’t destined to be.
“You love your job and patients. I see it in everything you do for these little babies, but would you ever consider leaving your position here at the hospital?”
I’ve been in neonatal intensive care since I finished nursing school. All I’ve ever wanted to do is take care of sick and preemie babies and make them well. I wouldn’t know how to be anything but what I am. I love my job.
“Leave my position and do what?”
River tilts his head and looks at his daughter’s face for a moment before his eyes return to mine. “Be Scarlett’s full-time nanny.”
Holy shit. I think River Winfrey, one of country music’s biggest stars, just offered me a job.
“I’m a nurse. That’s very different from a nanny.”
“You could be Scarlett’s highly overqualified nanny. And overpaid. I’d triple your salary and provide you with full benefits. Dental and vision included.”
“Mr. Winfrey…”
He puts his hand up. “You could live with us at my ranch. You’d have your own bedroom and bathroom next to Scarlett’s nursery. I would give you a car in addition to your salary. The safest vehicle on the road so I’d know that you and Scarlett were safe. All of your living expenses would also be covered. I would take care of everything.”
Triple salary. Full medical, vision, and dental. No rent or car payment. Full living expenses covered.
River would take care of everything.
Enticing. As. Hell.
I’ve been struggling financially since the divorce. I’m still paying for the shit Brad charged on my credit cards—gifts for the women he was screwing. I’m not sure how I can say no to River’s offer when it would enable me to pay off the debt on my credit cards three times quicker.
“It’s a very tempting offer.”
“I want it to be more than tempting. What’s it going to take to make it irresistible?”
“It’s not that your offer isn’t generous. It absolutely is, but leaving this stable job is a big deal. What would I do if it doesn’t work out?”
“It’ll work out.”
I’ve always been a worrier. I go for the sure thing. “I need time to think about it. And I think you need time to think about it as well. Maybe discuss it with your family and make sure that this arrangement is a good fit for you and Scarlett and not a knee-jerk reaction to finding out that she is coming home.”
“You can take all the time you need, but I already know that you’re the only one I want. And to prove it, I’ll give you a twenty-five-thousand-dollar sign-on bonus.”
I could pay off all of my credit card debt in the snap of my fingers and move on. I’d never have to work extra shifts again to pay for the good times Brad had with those other women behind my back.
I don’t need time to think this over. I know what I have to do.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”