Page 38 of The Brigadier

“A gween one,” she repeated.

What in the hell was happening here?

“Wow. You’ve made more sense about my son than anyone else has. Ever.”

“Not hard if you love kids and will listen to them. I mean really listen. Even in their limited language at this age, they are telling you stories and desires.”

“You love kids?” I asked, kind of shocked.

“I love kids. They used to gravitate toward me if I was ever around them. Much to my father’s chagrin. I felt free around them, knowing their little souls and hearts had yet to be jaded by the evil of this world.”

For an almost twenty-five-year-old, she was wise beyond her years. Great. Now I was thinking of myself as an old man and her as a young girl. That didn’t mix well with my continued lurid thoughts.

Damn it.

“Look, I hate to ask you a favor after everything, but I am literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. He’s gone through six nannies in six months. Six.”

“Wow. What did he say about them?” Her eyes were lit up like firecrackers.

I honestly had to think about her question. I also needed to lower my voice. “With one, he said she was out for my money.”

She almost spit out coffee, choking slightly.

“I know de Heimdick maneuver, Chantel, if you need my help.” His voice was loud and clear.

I had no clue how my four-year-old son had just grown up by maybe four or five years, but the change was astounding. I onlyprayed it wasn’t a plateau that would come crashing back to earth.

“Thank you very much, Damien. I think I’ll be fine. You’re very sweet,” she told him.

The kid blushed.

“Was he right?” she asked.

I had to think about that as well. “Come to think of it, he was. After she quit, I could tell she’d been snooping in my things.”

“What else?” She was grinning just like Damien had been.

“That one snagged a watch on my dresser.”

Chantel tipped her head.

“Okay. He was right and I was stupid for not paying but so much attention.”

“You aren’t exactly equipped to be an instant father. No slight.”

I laughed. “You’re very right. I was in shock for a month.”

“You want me to stay with him while you handle business. Right?”

“Would that be too much trouble? He is a bit demanding. His nanny, who had another week, is filling out paperwork at her new employer’s home.”

“I can handle demanding men,” she said in a way too seductive manner. “Maybe later we can take him somewhere for dinner or make it here.”

“I admit, I’d prefer to make something here but I’m not certain you want to eat my cooking.”

“I think I’ll survive,” she purred. She freaking purred. “Go to your meeting. We’ll be just fine. I assume I can’t leave the house to play. I can’t take him anywhere, obviously. Anything else?”

“No.”

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