Page 8 of Mind Pucked

I know what she’s thinking. She’s thinking I wouldn’t understand it at all. So, I have to explain.

“What I mean by that is that I’m actually an education major. And I’ve been an au pair. I even babysat my way through college. So, I have a lot of experience with wrangling children.”

Quinn smiles. “That would explain why you’re so good with them. I love that. I bet you’ll make a good mom one day.”

I smile at her kindness, and all of us sit down and start snacking as the game begins.

Suddenly Quinn turns to me, her mouth open like she just had an epiphany. “You know what, I just thought about something. I know you’re a big fan, and you’re clearly good with kids. Are you looking for a job by any chance?”

“Yeah, I actually am. I just recently got back from college and then a trip to London where I was an au pair. Definitely in the market. Why do you ask?”

My heart is beating fast. This could be the in that I need. Does somebody on the team have a job for me? Does she know of someone who has a daycare or a kid?

“Well, one of our team members, Jackson, he has a little girl. Well, this is actually his little girl.” She points to Hayden. Ofcourse, I’ve known this. But she’s never revealed before who Hayden’s father is, just mentioning that she helps care for her while her dad’s playing.

“Oh, well I wouldn’t mind helping out. Hayden’s been so sweet, after all.” I lean down and pinch her little cheek, and she blushes and giggles.

“Yeah, and you’re so good with her. Honestly, he’s had a really hard time finding a good nanny. I know he’s exhausted. I think I can get you an interview if you’d like?”

At that moment Joseph stomps on Lucy’s foot, and Quinn has to deal with that.

I shake my head and lean down to Hayden. “How would you like that? Me and you hanging out more while Daddy plays hockey?” I tickle her belly. She lets out that cute giggle again and looks down shyly before nodding to say that she would like it.

“I mean, I don’t want to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but honestly, an interview would be a lifesaver.”

Quinn smiles, pulling out her phone. “Perfect. I doubt he’ll be up for it after today’s game or anything, but I want to text him and let him know, if that’s okay? That way, you already have an in. Give me your number so I can give it to him to call.”

As the crowd cheers while two of the players get into a fight, I lean over her phone to make sure she’s got the right number and she can hear me. She shoots off the message, and it feels surreal—that there’s a chance I might get to talk with Jackson himself. I might get to pick his brain about Preston.

Will he recognize me? Hopefully not.

I would hate to blow my cover and ruin the whole thing before I even get started.

I enjoy the rest of the game, feeling like everything is finally lining up for me. I’m going to find out what happened to my brother.

This house is gorgeous. It’s not as big as the one I grew up in, but it’s pretty sprawling, and both the front and back yards are huge. A white picket fence wraps around the whole property, and there’s a swing on a tree that shades some of the bedrooms. The front of the house is perfectly landscaped with beautiful hibiscus and some vines creeping up the side.

The siding is custard yellow, and the shutters are all painted white. There are huge colonial-style columns coming up from the deck, and a quaint swing sitting next to the door.

It’s good to know that Hayden has a great place to grow up, but I wonder how empty it feels without Lyla.

Maybe if I never get to the bottom of this, at least I’ll know that Jackson’s facing the punishment of having to raise his daughter in the house he used to share with his beloved wife. How the ghost of her must haunt him.

I take a deep breath and go up to the blue door, knocking on it three times. I hear a happy squeal from inside, a sign that Jackson and Hayden are playing. My stomach seems to roll around across my intestines, like I’m swallowing bowling balls or something. From what I hear, Jackson is a great father. But I can’t let that get to me. I have to stay focused on the goal.

Soon enough, Jackson opens the door. He moves to the side to let me in and sends Hayden over to play with her toys in the playroom just to the right of the entryway. I look up to see a grand chandelier dripping with crystals, and I wonder if the crystals are real or not.

“Hi, I’m Jackson. You must be Amelia?” he asks.

I smile at him, feeling self-conscious under his gaze. He still looks like he’s a decade younger than he actually is. Just like the same timid teenager I knew him to be, fighting with my brother.

Do I look so similar? I don’t think so. I still have the freckles, but my hair has finally grown long. Puberty hit me hard and late. I don’t even carry myself the same.

I hold out my hand to shake. “Yes, I’m Amelia. Quinn told you about me.”

He nods, but he doesn’t smile. “Yes, I’m aware. Quinn says you seemed to be some kind of kid whisperer or something. I received your email that she forwarded to me with your resume.”

He points toward the living area, and I follow him there, sitting on the leather couch across from him as he sits on the loveseat. On the glass dining room table is a printout of that very resume.

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