“I’ll read over these until you get back.” He glanced at the monitor.
She nodded and headed into her room. Oscar was in a full fit of temper, his little face red and his fists tight and flailing.
“What’s the matter, Oscar? Are you starving, little man?” She cooed, picking him up and patting him. “Let’s get you cleaned up and then we’ll find you something to ease that ache in your little tummy, okay? I was with your daddy. He’s worrying over you, wanting to find the best possible nanny.”
Oscar had calmed a little, but started wailing when she changed his diaper.
“I know, sweetie, I’m sorry,” she continued. “As soon as you have a dry diaper, everything will be better. I promise, okay? Be patient.” She disposed of the dirty diaper and scooped him. “Now, let’s go.”
She worked quietly in the kitchen, humming away. When Oscar had his bottle, she headed back to Mr. Dean’s office. But instead of finding him pouring over the dossiers she’d made, she found him on the phone.
“You’re sure?” He ran a hand through his thick black hair, his barely suppressed anger visible. “I can protect them.”
She hesitated, a twinge of anxiety nagging the base of her spine. Finn’s posture was ramrod stiff, his voice hard and edged with something almost…menacing. Maybe now wasn’t the time to invade his office.
“I know this is bad,” he muttered. “We’ll leave as soon as I can. It’s safer there.”
Oscar chose that moment to burp, drawing Mr. Dean’s attention. His expression shifted, from anger to concern. But his posture seemed to stiffen further, so rigid he seemed braced for something. Something scared Finnegan Dean? Her anxiety doubled.
He hung up, sliding his phone back into his pocket.
“I can come back,” she offered.
“No,” he said. “I should have let that go to voicemail.” He shook his head, returning to his seat and flipping through the dossier with quick, tight motions.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, shifting Oscar from one arm to the other.
He glanced at her, defensive. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
She nodded.
“He likes the sound of your voice,” he said.
“What?” she asked, startled.
“I heard you on the monitor. He responds to you.”
She shook her head, far too pleased by his words. “He’s too little to know. But hearing me lets him know he’s not alone.”
“Maybe.” He held up the fourth dossier. “What about Mrs. Flores?”
She sat at his side, ready to work. He needed to make this decision so she could get back to her regular life. A life that was full of practicalities and moved too quickly to indulge in fantasies about her boss. And, to safeguard her heart. She was getting far too attached to Oscar.
They spent another hour in discussion, narrowing the field to three candidates. And through it all, she kept Oscar in the crook of her arm. When she looked down, she saw him staring around, alert and awake.
“Well, hello, Oscar,” she said, holding him close. “How are you?” she cooed. “Did you want to see your daddy?”
She didn’t hold the baby out. Finn still wasn’t ready for that—he’d made that clear. But she hoped he might take some interest in his infant son. Finding Oscar a nanny was a kind of interest, yes, but it wasn’t the same thing as bonding with the boy, or falling in love with his watchful gaze and gurgling noises.
She smiled at Oscar. “Do you approve of our choices?” she asked, glancing at Mr. Dean.
He was watching Oscar, and he looked—wary. “Is he doing well?”
She nodded. “He’s a champ. I admit my experience is limited to my siblings, but I’d say Oscar is one of the easiest babies ever.”
Mr. Dean stood, moving behind his desk to sit. “That’s good. Hopefully he won’t drive away as many nannies as his uncle and I did.”
She grinned. “Were you wild children?”