Page 10 of Nanny for the Firefighter

Meanwhile, I can’t breathe. My entire being hurts, and I wish, like I never have before, to disappear into thin air and be blown away by the wind.

Songbird. He said…

But I can’t bring myself to finish the thought. So, I just wipe under my eyes, blinking several times to keep the tears at bay.

I can’t get out of the truck crying after all. Hudson is just a few yards away, waiting at the foot of the steps up to Mom’s house.

Sniffling once more, I get out of the truck, closing the door firmly behind me.

“Bridget!” Hudson calls out, rushing over toward me.

I give him a smile. “Hey, bro.”

His arms circle me in a huge hug, and for a second, I actually let myself enjoy it. When Hudson leans back, he makes a face down at me, gesturing with his head toward Mason’s truck.

“Did I miss something? Don’t you have a tiny little sedan?”

With a sigh that’s half a chuckle, I roll my eyes. “I did. Until about an hour ago.”

Hudson’s eyes flare wide as Mason comes over with my suitcase. “What happened?”

“Boone was hitting the bottle early again. Rear-ended Bridget.” Mason hands my bag to my brother, and I sigh again.

“I’m fine, though. Not the car so much.”

Hudson rolls his eyes, clearly aware of this Boone guy’s antics. “Jesus, that guy is the worst. Is the car?—”

“It’s totaled,” I reply, worrying my lips between my teeth. “Which is just great considering I’m now carless with no way to pay for a new one.”

Standing between my brother and Mason doesn’t feel like it used to, nervous energy crawls down my spine as Hudson holds my suitcase and Mason stands right to my side.

It’s like a date without any of the promise of enjoyment.Ugh, please let this end.

“Hey,” Hudson offers, his brows raising like he has an idea, which is so much worse, “Mason, do you still need a nanny?”

“What?” Mason and I say at the same time, my stomach flip-flopping like a damn pancake on a griddle.

“Oh, come on. It’s Bridget. She needs a job, clearly, and I know she’d be amazing with Mia. B’s great with kids. Always has been. Remember all that babysitting money?”

My heart is joining my stomach in an attempt to flee my body or cause me to pass out.

Mason has a kid? A daughter? Since when? Well, of course, he does. Who wouldn’t snatch him up? Fuck, could this get any worse?

I can feel my brows up to my hairline, and Mason is doing the same. As I look at him, not willing to open my trap and ruin everything even more, Mason’s hesitation is obvious.

Hudson doesn’t know that we have baggage. But hell, I do need a job, and looking after kids is how I’ve always been able to make money. I did it in LA.

Medical bills, medication, and a new car. You have quite the expenses, Bridget. This could really fix that.

“I don’t know, Hudson. I’m sure that Bridget has better things to be doing than looking after Mia.”

“She came here to see our sick mother, so I assure you, she doesn’t. Mom will be getting help from a nurse, and Bridget came here with nothing. Come on.”

“Hey!” I interject. “I am standing right here, asshole.”

Hudson smirks at me, and all I can do is sigh.

“Look,” I turn to Mason, “I do need a job, and I assure you that I can be trusted with your daughter. I nannied in LA and a couple other cities during my travels. I’m good with kids. And…I want to be able to pull my weight while I’m here.”

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